Australia look to dogs of war in Ellis Park battle against Springboks
World champions South Africa, who are also Rugby Championship holders, will be favourites in the fixture but Australia, buoyed by a 22-12 victory over the British & Irish Lions last time out, are fired up for the challenge.
They should have the key trio of loose-forward Rob Valetini, lock Will Skelton and prop Taniela Tupou fit for Saturday, while experienced scrumhalf Nic White has postponed his international retirement to answer an SOS and tour.
"You've got the Great Dane, Will Skelton, and then you've got the little Jack Russell (White)," Australia loose forward Tom Hooper told reporters on Tuesday.
"Jack Russell is sometimes a little bit more fiery and he's nipping at the heels of those boys. He loves not taking a backward step. And whoever's picked in that gold jersey, that's the kind of spirit that we want to play with going forward. You can see it inspires a 23 on the field.
"We've got to make sure that the 23 blokes (in the match-day squad) are looking after each other and we can't take a backwards step."
South Africa have powerful forwards, even if they are using their electric backs more and more these days, and the giant Skelton will be a big boost in standing up to the physical challenge.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Luxury items seized in $3b money laundering case handed over to Deloitte for liquidation
Singapore NEL resumes service after hours-long power fault; single-track service on Sengkang-Punggol LRT
Singapore Plan to base Singapore's F-15 fighter jets in Guam cancelled
Singapore Hyflux investigator 'took advantage' of Olivia Lum's inability to recall events: Davinder Singh
Singapore Man who stabbed son-in-law to death in Boon Tat Street in 2017 dies, aged 80
Singapore Scoot to launch flights to Chiang Rai, Okinawa, Tokyo-Haneda, boost frequency to other places
Singapore Man on trial for stalking woman blasted by judge for asking scandalous questions in court
Singapore Off-duty SCDF officer dies after accident in Punggol; 15-year-old pillion rider taken to hospital
"Anyone who's picked in the jersey alongside him will follow him into battle, that's for sure," Hooper added. "He's an enforcer. That's what he's been doing for a long time.
"For want of a better word, he loves being that grub. He loves taking it to teams physically. Making the gentlemen's game a little bit more exciting. We love playing with him. He's just a physical presence." REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Welsh club Nant Conwy boast two sets of sisters in Rugby World Cup squad
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Women's Six Nations - Wales v France - Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff, Wales, Britain - April 22, 2022 Wales' Gwenllian Pyrs in action with France's Gaelle Hermet Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley/File Photo North Wales team Nant Conwy are brimming with pride as two sets of the club's sisters prepare to represent the country at the Women's Rugby World Cup that kicks off next week in England. Nel and Branwen Metcalfe have been named alongside Gwenllian and Alaw Pyrs in Wales coach Sean Lynn's 32-player squad who open their campaign against Scotland on August 23 in Manchester. While the Pyrs sisters have played together before, it will be a new experience for the Metcalfes, with Wales Under-20s captain Branwen yet to earn her first senior cap. "I'm lost for words," Branwen told the BBC. "It's been a whirlwind year. I haven't trained much with the squad yet, but it's been really great coming into this environment, I'm learning a lot as I go. "Everyone is really nice and it's nice to come in as a young player with all these experienced players," she added, mentioning Alex Callender and Kate Williams among her role models on the team. Sister Nel said "the family is buzzing." "People have asked, 'How do you feel?'. I couldn't be prouder," Nel told the BBC. "I've seen how hard (Branwen) has worked, she deserves this. "I would say I do look out for her (in camp) and check she's ok, but she can handle herself, everyone has been pretty welcoming." While Wales has had siblings before with the Horgan twins Clair and Louise playing together against France in 2008, having two sets of sisters from the same grassroots club is something to celebrate, said Nant Conwy Chairman Marc Jones. "Congratulations to the girls, their achievements are down to their total dedication and commitment," he said. Wales conclude the group stage with games against Canada on August 30 and Fiji on September 6. The team's best World Cup finish was fourth in 1994. They made the quarter-finals at the last World Cup held in 2022. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Liverpool bolster defence with Giovanni Leoni deal before Premier League opener
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot continued to reinforce his squad on the eve of their Premier League season opener, confirming on Aug 14 that the club had agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma. While no financial details were disclosed, British media reported the fee for the Serie A player at €26 million. Slot's men kick off the defence of their title when they host Bournemouth on Aug 15 on what is sure to be an emotional night at Anfield following the death of Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother in a car crash in July. Leoni is expected to immediately join the first team after passing his medical examination, with the club ruling out any possibility of a loan move. The teenager will join Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez – who is a doubt for Friday having recently returned from an Achilles injury – among Slot's centre-back options and shore up a back line that showed frailties during pre-season. 'There are reasons for it,' Slot said, citing injuries, mixed lineups, and the integration of new players. 'The standard here is 10/10, we are doing everything well but 'well' is not good enough. We have to go a step up. 'Come (Friday) evening against Bournemouth, there are no excuses.' Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home? Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at the wrong airport in South Korea Singapore Reformative training for teen who cheated man of $47k Rolex watch on former stepdad's instructions Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Asia Strong India-Singapore ties key to economic growth amid 'volatile landscape': DPM Gan Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength The Dutchman is cautiously optimistic Liverpool can retain their title. 'The main reason that it's so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league. It's unbelievable if you are able to do it in this league,' he added. 'This year will be even harder than before. Every season and pre-season has its challenges. We have lost many starters. 'It's not always yourself but the teams you face. We've lost five to six players who played quite a lot of minutes last season, and brought in four, so it's normal there's adaptation.' Liverpool have a tough start to the campaign, with games away to Newcastle United and at home to last season's runners-up Arsenal among their first three fixtures. 'We start with Bournemouth, probably the most intense team in the league last season, in running and playing style,' Slot said. There is plenty of anticipation around Liverpool's new attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz after the Reds shattered their transfer record to sign the 22-year-old German international from Bayer Leverkusen in June. They paid £100 million, with a further maximum of £16 million in potential bonuses. Slot was full of praise for Wirtz, but cautioned that the player might need time to adjust to the intensity of England's top tier. 'Good players always find a way of playing in a good team – he is a good player and he plays in a good team,' he said. 'Factually we can see him as a young player, but I don't see him as one. He won the Cup and league in Germany (in 2024), and his mentality is his biggest strength. 'That says a lot, because when you see him play he is so creative. He is mentally strong, he doesn't get distracted by a transfer fee or anything else.' Meanwhile, Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is having to adapt after losing many of his players. According to reports, defender Illia Zabarnyi is close to completing a £57 million move to Paris Saint-Germain, while Dean Huijsen and Milos Kerkez – who moved to Liverpool – are exits from a squad who finished ninth last season. 'I do not want to lose players but when the window is open, you never know what's going to happen,' Iraola said. 'Obviously, if the more important players stay with us, it's going to be easier – but if something else happens, we will also adapt. 'We will be like the club. They will be ready for whatever the situation is – and we will do our job. Whatever the scenario is, when the market finishes, the club will give us the players to compete.' REUTERS
Straits Times
3 hours ago
- Straits Times
Liverpool bolster defence with Leoni deal before Premier League opener
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox LIVERPOOL, England - Liverpool manager Arne Slot continued to reinforce his squad on the eve of their Premier League season opener, confirming on Thursday that the club had agreed a deal to sign 18-year-old defender Giovanni Leoni from Parma. While no financial details were disclosed, British media reported the fee for the Serie A player at 26 million euros ($30.34 million). Slot's men kick off the defence of their title when they host Bournemouth on Friday on what is sure to be an emotional night at Anfield following the death of Portugal forward Diogo Jota and his brother in a car crash in July. Leoni is expected to have a medical later on Thursday and will immediately join the first team, with the club ruling out any possibility of a loan move. The teenager will join Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez -- who is a doubt for Friday having recently returned from an Achilles injury -- among Slot's centre-back options and shore up a back line that showed frailties during pre-season. "There are reasons for it," Slot said, citing injuries, mixed lineups, and the integration of new players. "The standard here is 10/10, we are doing everything well but 'well' is not good enough. We have to go a step up. "Come (Friday) evening against Bournemouth, there are no excuses." Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home? Singapore 4 housebreaking suspects taken to Bukit Timah crime scene under police escort Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at the wrong airport in South Korea Singapore Reformative training for teen who cheated man of $47k Rolex watch on former stepdad's instructions Opinion Could telco consolidation spell the end of attractive mobile plans? Asia Strong India-Singapore ties key to economic growth amid 'volatile landscape': DPM Gan Asia Citizenship for foreign talent: How this footballer from Brazil became Vietnam's favourite 'Son' Slot is cautiously optimistic Liverpool can retain their title. "The main reason that it's so difficult is because there are so many competitors who can win the league. It's unbelievable if you are able to do it in this league," the Dutchman said. "This year will be even harder than before. Every season and pre-season has its challenges. We have lost many starters. "It's not always yourself but the teams you face. We've lost five to six players who played quite a lot of minutes last season, and brought in four, so it's normal there's adaptation." TOUGH START Liverpool have a tough start to the campaign, with games away to Newcastle United and at home to last season's runners-up Arsenal among their first three fixtures. "We start with Bournemouth, probably the most intense team in the league last season, in running and playing style," Slot said. There is plenty of anticipation around Liverpool's new attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz after the Reds shattered their transfer record to sign the 22-year-old German international from Bayer Leverkusen in June. They paid 100 million pounds ($135.66 million), with a further maximum of 16 million in potential bonuses. Slot was full of praise for Wirtz, but cautioned he might need time to adjust to the intensity of England's top tier. "Good players always find a way of playing in a good team - he is a good player and he plays in a good team," Slot said. "Factually we can see him as a young player, but I don't see him as one. He won the cup and league in Germany (in 2024), and his mentality is his biggest strength. "That says a lot, because when you see him play he is so creative. He is mentally strong, he doesn't get distracted by a transfer fee or anything else." REUTERS
