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Tupou's time to shine in South Africa
by Sam Phillips
It's Taniela Tupou's time to shine.
The boom prop has earned his first Test start against the Springboks this Saturday.as reward for a recent run of explosive performances off the pine.
Tupou was a dominant force against Ireland in June, the best player on the field in the win over the Springboks in Brisbane and his inclusion is a timely one.
He can provide the spark the Wallabies will require in Port Elizabeth as they strive to turn their poor form around.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said the start would be a chance for Tupou to prove himself from the get go against a hostile crowd and intimidating Springboks front row.
"He can build the concentration from the very start and make sure he nails it all and obviously he’s got a lot of talent and only got six caps now," Cheika said.
"I thought it might be a good opportunity for him in what will be a pretty difficult atmosphere I imagine and (with) a good front row opposite for him to show what he’s got.
"I believe in him a lot as a player and I’m sure he’ll do a very good job."
Tupou's elevation is one of four personnel changes to the starting XV in a pivotal Test against South Africa.
Lukhan Tui (family) and Pete Samu (knee injury) both remained in Australia, with Ned Hanigan replacing Tui at blindside flanker.
Skipper Michael Hooper returns from a hamstring injury to start at openside and David Pocock is back at no. 8.
There is no specialist flanker on the bench but lock Rob Simmons can provide cover should the Wallabies require it.
Adam Coleman is the final change to the starting XV, teaming up with Izack Rodda in the second row.
Coleman came off the bench for the Wallabies on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago but will start in Port Elizabeth, pushing Rory Arnold back to the bench.
As expected, Michael Cheika has opted to stick with the playmaking duo of Kurtley Beale and Matt Toomua in a backline that is unchanged from that which went up against the Pumas.
The Port Elizabeth clash will also mark Scott Sio's 50th Test appearance.
The Wallabies take on the Springboks in Port Elizabeth on Saturday September 29 local, Sunday September 30 1:05am
AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via Channel Ten.
TEAM
IN: Michael Hooper, Rob Simmons
OUT: Pete Samu, Lukhan Tui
Wallabies team to face the Springboks
1. Scott Sio (49 Tests)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (86 Tests)
3. Taniela Tupou (6 Tests)
4. Adam Coleman (26 Tests)
5. Izack Rodda (11 Tests)
6. Ned Hanigan (15 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (85 Tests)
8. David Pocock (73 Tests)
9. Will Genia (94 Tests)
10. Kurtley Beale (78 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (15 Tests)
12. Matt Toomua (37 Tests)
13. Reece Hodge (31 Tests)
14. Israel Folau (67 Tests)
15. Dane Haylett-Petty (25 Tests)
Reserves
16. Folau Faingaa (3 Tests)
17. Sekope Kepu (97 Tests)
18. Allan Alaalatoa (27 Tests)
19. Rory Arnold (17 Tests)
20. Rob Simmons (88 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (67 Tests)
22. Bernard Foley (62 Tests)
23. Jack Maddocks (4 Tests)
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/09...port-elizabeth
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
It's so pathetic you have to laugh.![]()
Makes you wonder if players like Berrick Barnes will be picked out of WSR out of desperation from the Wild Knights as the Wallabies will need options at 10 and 12.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
Springboks by plenty (I hope)
Chieka needs an 'intervention', then an independent team selection panel/person. Chieka has to have ZERO input into selection. What an absolute joke of a job he has just done (yet again). Hooper is carrying a hammy strain, Pocock had a sore neck and we have two locks on the bench with Ned Flanders playing the run on #6. No dedicated #8 in the team or #6, Hannigan has spent most of his career as a lock not a #6. Angus should have been a Wallaby years ago except for injuries.
Phipps and Simmons on the bench.....give me a break, so our back up #9 for the world cup in less than a year is Phipp's?????
Chieka still has no idea who the back up #10 is, actually most of Australia think Foley is our back up #10, it just we don't have a real #10.
I am sure he will run Reece Hodge at #10 soon.
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO pissed off with our National Team. I am 100% FORCE and 100% WSR but I hate seeing what we are allowing our National Coach (and 3 full time assistants) and Administrators do to our game. FFS...…...go the Eagles and Rooster... then Bok and Argies. Have a great weekend folks. Rant over
On a more positive note atleast there will be a crowd at the game this weekend. The South Africans still turn out to watch rugby, well atleast rugby at springbok level these days..
Not always the crowd at Kings Park for the Pumas test was dreadful.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
Is it even on FTA?
(not planning on getting up to watch; just curious)
10.45pm for a 11.05 kick-off on FTA.
Thanks - I'm really tired. Struggling to even watch all of Twilight. Will look for the result tomorrow.
It was a bit tragic watching Hooper get out-sprinted by Malcom Marx (a Hooker) in a kick and chase.
Took me back to Hodgo's last game last year when Hooper couldn't catch Jono Lance over 60-70 metres.