The backrow will again be pivotal. Imo Dempsey offers more than Hanigan in open play and he also seems to be more than adequate in the lineout. So, I expect a better performance there than in previous tests. But I still lament the lack of size and hard hitting in that trio. I'm with Hammertime in that 40 minutes of Timani might be better than 60 - 80 minutes of either Dempsey or Hanigan. And with a 6 - 2 bench as expected, the Wallabies could afford to take Timani on for a 40 minute stint.
I am starting to wonder just what Rory Arnold has done to be dropped. Two tests ago most posters agreed that Coleman and Arnold looked to be the real deal in the second row. Now his omission is pretty much passed over with little or no comment. Just how long Rob Simmons can continue to come into our national team on the basis of a perceived strength in calling lineouts amazes me. If there isn't another potential lineout caller among the harder working, more impactful locks to take over if and when Coleman is benched, then that is a failure of the coaching staff.
I have to say that I expect the likes of Etzebeth, Du Toit, Du Preez, etc to again dominate the ruck area, and there is a very good chance the Saffas will get home on the back of a swag of penalty goals.
