Rugby Championship 2025: South Africa v Australia

[Uh huh]

I feel a deep sense of empathy for how Springboks fans would've felt watching that game, because I've spent a couple of decades watching the Wallabies play the All Blacks. You do all the right things: secure possession, win lots of field position, execute at the set piece and create scoring opportunities. Then you cough the ball up once, deep in your opponent's half, and the next thing you know you're back on halfway getting ready for another kickoff.

Not going to lie, it feels pretty good on this side of it.

 

[Crashy]

I've never empathised with Springbok fans!

 

[Dismal Pillock]

I'd be curious about the average age of the two teams. Lots of old faces in Rassies team who might not be where he needs them come next RWC.

Starting Bok pack didnt have anyone under 30
Starting Bok backs seemed to average about 29

 

[Spamnoodle]

I've never empathised with Springbok fans!

Indeed, it was great watching the faces turn from arrogant glee to shocked dropped jaws.
Especially after sitting through the first test outnumbered at Lang Park last year.

 

[Yoda]

Strangest thing I found in the game was BOK was actually reffing the game well. Called of sides didn't fuck about on that tackle where Pietsch broke his jaw and kept the game flowing.

Did you notice also he was telling kickers where mark was when they were kicking for touch off a penalty to stop them kicking way over the mark?

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Yeah Wilson looked like cramp, then a hammy and then a bit more serious.

Yeah. Was watching the Eggchasers immediate post game vid and he was carted off the field after hobbling around on crutches.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Starting Bok pack didnt have anyone under 30
Starting Bok backs seemed to average about 29

I saw a post earlier in the week that hadvthe Boks average age at 30 whilr ours was 25-26.

 

[The Red Baron]

Wild game, what a great win. Boks definitely looks short of a run and their outside backs were allergic to tackling. Wallabies targeted the channel just outside of Kriel all night and it paid dividends.

Shoutout to McReight and Hooper specifically, they fronted up all night. Gleeson was excellent when he came on too.

 

[Yoda]

As wise as Yoda thinks, Yoda is not.

Pull ya bloody head in!

It was my observation from watching the series. If you don't like it, fine. He can prove me wrong as he gets better with experience, and I'm sure he will get better. In that series though, he was a weak link and heavily targeted. Looking forward to him back in this great squad though and being a part of a new winning culture. Go the mighty Wallabies.

 

[Brumby Runner]

Strangest thing I found in the game was BOK was actually reffing the game well. Called of sides didn't fuck about on that tackle where Pietsch broke his jaw and kept the game flowing.

And was adamant about the mark for penalties too. Undoubtedly a consequence of the Lions series.

 

[The Red Baron]

Another thing I noticed is that the Wallabies looked to hold Etzebeth up in contact when he had the ball. Every other forward runner they would look to put to the ground, but not Etzebeth. Problem is that the dude is so god damn strong, he was able to get his arms free for the offload. I'll be interested to see if they continue with that tactic in the second match.

 

[Yoda]

And was adamant about the mark for penalties too. Undoubtedly a consequence of the Lions series.

Yes BR. I've noticed for quite a while that kickers are taking massive liberties with kicking way over the mark. It seems refs must have been told to enforce this now? I'd like to see teams marched 10m when keeping the ball when penalised to stop the opposing team doing a quick tap. The practice would stop overnight if enforced.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

 

[Brumby Runner]

McReight MOTM, In a side full of excellent performances. Tom Hooper especially not far behind with at least two turnovers, second most tackles and some good hard slog with ball in hand. Judged on his performances this year he must now be ranked as a world class player.

 

[Uh huh]

Wilson had a very good game before the injury and as a fan I am tremendously fond of him, but I do think he poses a potentially difficult question for the Wallabies going forward. As fantastic as he is in defence, and there's no question about the quality of his captaincy, it increases the degree of difficulty to have an eightman who gets so consistently dominated with ball in hand. When Valetini is on deck, I don't think it matters, but even with a ball runner of Hooper's quality at 6, it felt like a deficiency. Against a better performing opponent, it might have shown up on the score board.

 

[The Ghost of Raelene]

I think almost everyone sees this and I think it’s been part of the uncommitted approach to making a Captain. Bad position to be in to have a Captain who isn’t a lay down for the spot.

 

[upthereds#!]

Wilson had a very good game before the injury and as a fan I am tremendously fond of him, but I do think he poses a potentially difficult question for the Wallabies going forward. As fantastic as he is in defence, and there's no question about the quality of his captaincy, it increases the degree of difficulty to have an eightman who gets so consistently dominated with ball in hand. When Valetini is on deck, I don't think it matters, but even with a ball runner of Hooper's quality at 6, it felt like a deficiency. Against a better performing opponent, it might have shown up on the score board.

I don't agree that Hooper is a quality ball runner. He is an aggressive, workrate player - like a Fardy.

Wilsons always been a poor gainline runner at test level, he usually more then makes up for this with exceptional lines and support runs. But without Valetini, he has to try and bulldoze and he a high power bulldozer he is not.

Lately (very lately because I wasn't a Hooper fan) I feel that a Hooper 6, Valetini 8, Wilson 20 would be our best use of those positions. But then again Gleeson brought some strong go forward when needed, and noone supports like Wilson supports - would those tries have been scored if someone else was out there instead of him!?

Good problem to have!

 

[Uh huh]

I don't agree that Hooper is a quality ball runner. He is an aggressive, workrate player - like a Fardy.

Wilsons always been a poor gainline runner at test level, he usually more then makes up for this with exceptional lines and support runs. But without Valetini, he has to try and bulldoze and he a high power bulldozer he is not.

Lately (very lately because I wasn't a Hooper fan) I feel that a Hooper 6, Valetini 8, Wilson 20 would be our best use of those positions. But then again Gleeson brought some strong go forward when needed, and noone supports like Wilson supports - would those tries have been scored if someone else was out there instead of him!?

Good problem to have!

As with all things, it's about finding the right balance. If the openside was a Tizzano or Savea type, I don't think it would matter, but McReight also isn't much of a metre eater. If forced to choose between Wilson and McReight though, I'm taking McReight 10 times out of 10.

 

[BDA]

You'd think scoring 2 tries and captaining the team to the first win in jo-burg in 60 years would get people to stop questioning your place in the team but i guess not...

honestly if mcrieght hadnt got MOTM there'd probably be a few people claiming he's ineffective at test level.

 

[rugbyAU]

honestly if mcrieght hadnt got MOTM there'd probably be a few people claiming he's ineffective at test level.

that would be pretty harsh