French feast on the menu for Wallabies
However, there is one question to be answered on Monday – does anyone miss out over Super Rugby due to the 11-team competition format? And if so, who is the unlucky loser? As for the Super Round format itself, the jury is still out on whether it has legs. The novelty factor will give it liftoff in Christchurch next year, but it's still a bit of a hard sell with the Super Rugby Pacific teams so geographically dispersed.
The big clue in the Springboks selections
The Wallabies won't have to wait long until they find out who Rassie Erasmus has picked for the Rugby Championship opener in Johannesburg next weekend – the Springboks are usually unveiled on Tuesday.
He has built up so much depth that it's a fool's game trying to second guess which way the Springboks will go across many positions, but the Wallabies will definitely be keeping an eye on the No.10. The Springboks have three options – Handre Pollard, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Manie Libbok – and they all bring something different.
They go to Pollard if they think it'll be tight with goalkicking is important, and Libbok if the plan is all-out attack. Feinberg-Mngomezulu started both Tests in Australia last year and is something of a freak, but earlier this year Springboks attack coach Tony Brown told this masthead that Libbok reminded him of Carlos Spencer. Libbok's speed would be a major threat.
JOC against the Boks
James O'Connor's Wallabies return is surely closing in. He hasn't played a Test since 2022 – a 48-17 drubbing in Argentina – but Joe Schmidt showed how he highly he values experience by picking Nic White in the third Test against the Lions.
O'Connor has now had a bit of time inside the Wallabies camp to get used to the game plan, and it would be a surprise not to see him feature against South Africa.
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He perfected the 'closer' role at the Crusaders this season, winning the big game against the Blues in round 10 courtesy of two late penalties, and his presence on the bench would give the Wallabies plenty of confidence if they are in touch with the world champions heading into the last quarter.
O'Connor has seen it all. Even the daunting Ellis Park arena wouldn't faze him at this point of his career.
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Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It rips your lungs apart': Inside the Wallabies' Ellis Park mission impossible
If the Wallabies are trying to forget what awaits them at Ellis Park in the minutes before their first Test of the Rugby Championship, there is a helpful sign in the bright red tunnel reminding them, in bold lettering, that they are 1753 metres above sea level. The Wallabies have played 11 Tests at the Johannesburg venue for just one win, back in 1963. The lack of oxygen is only one aspect that makes the Springbok fortress so impenetrable for visiting teams. Former Wallabies playmaker and recent World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Matt Burke played all over the world for his country, but cannot remember many stadiums that challenged his body and mind like Ellis Park. 'It rips your lungs apart,' Burke said. 'Some people get it in the opening minutes, then some people get it at the end of the game when they're struggling for breath as well. 'But you've also got to remember that half of these [South African] players don't come from altitude as well. They don't live at altitude, but they seem to grow that extra energy from their fans at the stadium. Is it a mindset? Yeah, absolutely it's a mindset.' Ellis Park is a cherished part of South African rugby history. It was the venue for the country's first World Cup win, when former president Nelson Mandela wore the iconic Springbok jersey with the captain Francois Pienaar's No.6 on the back. In a world of generic modern stadiums in plush suburbs, Ellis Park stands proudly apart. While most of South Africa's business community deserted the city for the wealthy northern suburbs, the arena – less than two kilometres from the crime-ridden inner-city Johannesburg suburb of Hillbrow – remains a beacon for some of the most passionate supporters in world rugby. 'The South African anthem will resonate, they are diehard supporters up on the Highveldt and that's their number one game and their number one passion,' Burke said.
The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
‘It rips your lungs apart': Inside the Wallabies' Ellis Park mission impossible
If the Wallabies are trying to forget what awaits them at Ellis Park in the minutes before their first Test of the Rugby Championship, there is a helpful sign in the bright red tunnel reminding them, in bold lettering, that they are 1753 metres above sea level. The Wallabies have played 11 Tests at the Johannesburg venue for just one win, back in 1963. The lack of oxygen is only one aspect that makes the Springbok fortress so impenetrable for visiting teams. Former Wallabies playmaker and recent World Rugby Hall of Fame inductee Matt Burke played all over the world for his country, but cannot remember many stadiums that challenged his body and mind like Ellis Park. 'It rips your lungs apart,' Burke said. 'Some people get it in the opening minutes, then some people get it at the end of the game when they're struggling for breath as well. 'But you've also got to remember that half of these [South African] players don't come from altitude as well. They don't live at altitude, but they seem to grow that extra energy from their fans at the stadium. Is it a mindset? Yeah, absolutely it's a mindset.' Ellis Park is a cherished part of South African rugby history. It was the venue for the country's first World Cup win, when former president Nelson Mandela wore the iconic Springbok jersey with the captain Francois Pienaar's No.6 on the back. In a world of generic modern stadiums in plush suburbs, Ellis Park stands proudly apart. While most of South Africa's business community deserted the city for the wealthy northern suburbs, the arena – less than two kilometres from the crime-ridden inner-city Johannesburg suburb of Hillbrow – remains a beacon for some of the most passionate supporters in world rugby. 'The South African anthem will resonate, they are diehard supporters up on the Highveldt and that's their number one game and their number one passion,' Burke said.
The Advertiser
13 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Wallabies go hunting more game on the high veldt
The Wallabies are hunting a Springboks scalp to sit alongside the Lions' but are well aware of the size of the challenge of taking down the world champions on the high veldt. Australia open the Rugby Championship on Sunday (0110 AEDT) against South Africa at Johannesburg's Ellis Park, a ground where they last won back in 1963. Their most recent victory over the Boks at altitude was at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, where they pulled off a last-gasp two-point win in 2010. But with just 10 wins from 48 Tests in South Africa since 1933, the successes of the Wallabies have been few and far between. While they didn't get the series win over the British and Irish Lions, a confidence-boosting victory in the third Test in Sydney left the Wallabies heading to South Africa with their tails up. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa said they were mindful not to get caught up in the aura of the Springboks, back-to-back world champions after winning the 2023 title in France. They thumped Australia 33-7 and 33-12 in their two Tests last year, with the Wallabies' last victory coming in Adelaide in 2022. "It's really easy to look at what South Africa have done in the past and obviously they're a world-class team and for us it's just taking them for face value," Paenga-Amosa said from Johannesburg. "We respect what they've done, we respect them as a team, winning World Cups but we're just going to take them at face value - what we see in front of our faces in Ellis Park is how we're going to see them. "I definitely think we're at a better place now than we were 12 months ago. "First stop though here at Ellis Park, so we're looking at definitely continuing that momentum." Paenga-Amosa said there were no injury concerns in the Wallabies camp, with prop Taniela Tupou overcoming a toe injury to be available for selection. He said they were excited for the "cauldron" atmosphere of Ellis Park, where James Slipper, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nic White were part of the 2019 outfit who lost 35-17, as well as Tupou, who earned a yellow card for a no-arms cleanout. "We know the biggest thing about Ellis Park is the altitude and that plays a bit of a part in how the game will be played," the Western Force rake said. "We're here now, so we get to acclimatise to that altitude. "We're trying not to think too much about the altitude, though, because in the end, if we nail our plays, nail our own individual roles, it'll go a long way for us." Paenga-Amosa's younger sister Katalina is part of the Wallaroos squad now in England ahead of their World Cup opener later this month. The 29-year-old said his family was proud of his sister, also a hooker. "It's been awesome for my sister, I'm really proud of her and excited to watch her ripping at the World Cup ... most of the household has been buzzing. "It's been exciting the past month for myself personally and if I do get that opportunity in Jo'burg to play against the Springboks, it'll be a huge honour for myself." The Wallabies are hunting a Springboks scalp to sit alongside the Lions' but are well aware of the size of the challenge of taking down the world champions on the high veldt. Australia open the Rugby Championship on Sunday (0110 AEDT) against South Africa at Johannesburg's Ellis Park, a ground where they last won back in 1963. Their most recent victory over the Boks at altitude was at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, where they pulled off a last-gasp two-point win in 2010. But with just 10 wins from 48 Tests in South Africa since 1933, the successes of the Wallabies have been few and far between. While they didn't get the series win over the British and Irish Lions, a confidence-boosting victory in the third Test in Sydney left the Wallabies heading to South Africa with their tails up. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa said they were mindful not to get caught up in the aura of the Springboks, back-to-back world champions after winning the 2023 title in France. They thumped Australia 33-7 and 33-12 in their two Tests last year, with the Wallabies' last victory coming in Adelaide in 2022. "It's really easy to look at what South Africa have done in the past and obviously they're a world-class team and for us it's just taking them for face value," Paenga-Amosa said from Johannesburg. "We respect what they've done, we respect them as a team, winning World Cups but we're just going to take them at face value - what we see in front of our faces in Ellis Park is how we're going to see them. "I definitely think we're at a better place now than we were 12 months ago. "First stop though here at Ellis Park, so we're looking at definitely continuing that momentum." Paenga-Amosa said there were no injury concerns in the Wallabies camp, with prop Taniela Tupou overcoming a toe injury to be available for selection. He said they were excited for the "cauldron" atmosphere of Ellis Park, where James Slipper, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nic White were part of the 2019 outfit who lost 35-17, as well as Tupou, who earned a yellow card for a no-arms cleanout. "We know the biggest thing about Ellis Park is the altitude and that plays a bit of a part in how the game will be played," the Western Force rake said. "We're here now, so we get to acclimatise to that altitude. "We're trying not to think too much about the altitude, though, because in the end, if we nail our plays, nail our own individual roles, it'll go a long way for us." Paenga-Amosa's younger sister Katalina is part of the Wallaroos squad now in England ahead of their World Cup opener later this month. The 29-year-old said his family was proud of his sister, also a hooker. "It's been awesome for my sister, I'm really proud of her and excited to watch her ripping at the World Cup ... most of the household has been buzzing. "It's been exciting the past month for myself personally and if I do get that opportunity in Jo'burg to play against the Springboks, it'll be a huge honour for myself." The Wallabies are hunting a Springboks scalp to sit alongside the Lions' but are well aware of the size of the challenge of taking down the world champions on the high veldt. Australia open the Rugby Championship on Sunday (0110 AEDT) against South Africa at Johannesburg's Ellis Park, a ground where they last won back in 1963. Their most recent victory over the Boks at altitude was at Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein, where they pulled off a last-gasp two-point win in 2010. But with just 10 wins from 48 Tests in South Africa since 1933, the successes of the Wallabies have been few and far between. While they didn't get the series win over the British and Irish Lions, a confidence-boosting victory in the third Test in Sydney left the Wallabies heading to South Africa with their tails up. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa said they were mindful not to get caught up in the aura of the Springboks, back-to-back world champions after winning the 2023 title in France. They thumped Australia 33-7 and 33-12 in their two Tests last year, with the Wallabies' last victory coming in Adelaide in 2022. "It's really easy to look at what South Africa have done in the past and obviously they're a world-class team and for us it's just taking them for face value," Paenga-Amosa said from Johannesburg. "We respect what they've done, we respect them as a team, winning World Cups but we're just going to take them at face value - what we see in front of our faces in Ellis Park is how we're going to see them. "I definitely think we're at a better place now than we were 12 months ago. "First stop though here at Ellis Park, so we're looking at definitely continuing that momentum." Paenga-Amosa said there were no injury concerns in the Wallabies camp, with prop Taniela Tupou overcoming a toe injury to be available for selection. He said they were excited for the "cauldron" atmosphere of Ellis Park, where James Slipper, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Nic White were part of the 2019 outfit who lost 35-17, as well as Tupou, who earned a yellow card for a no-arms cleanout. "We know the biggest thing about Ellis Park is the altitude and that plays a bit of a part in how the game will be played," the Western Force rake said. "We're here now, so we get to acclimatise to that altitude. "We're trying not to think too much about the altitude, though, because in the end, if we nail our plays, nail our own individual roles, it'll go a long way for us." Paenga-Amosa's younger sister Katalina is part of the Wallaroos squad now in England ahead of their World Cup opener later this month. The 29-year-old said his family was proud of his sister, also a hooker. "It's been awesome for my sister, I'm really proud of her and excited to watch her ripping at the World Cup ... most of the household has been buzzing. "It's been exciting the past month for myself personally and if I do get that opportunity in Jo'burg to play against the Springboks, it'll be a huge honour for myself."
