Angus Bell is a strong and big guy and will be scrumming against Thomas the tank….it will be a good test for Thomas…especially with wet and heavy grass surface.
Angus Bell is a strong and big guy and will be scrumming against Thomas the tank….it will be a good test for Thomas…especially with wet and heavy grass surface.
Tougher than a 39 year old, 115 kg Goose?
Well, Angus Bell, is a second-generation Wallaby, has established himself as one of the premier all-round loose head props of his era. He plays at the NSW Waratahs.
I suppose he is slightly better on paper…23 years old, 1.92m tall and 125 kg and capped 28 times…. Should be a stronger test for Thomas.
I see Tupou is still not playing. In 2021 he crushed our scrum when he came on.
Taniela Tupou is also expected to miss the clash against the Springboks, with the star flying to Tonga this week to attend his father's funeral.
The 28-year-old missed the opening game on Saturday but could re-join the squad later in the week and is an outside chance of featuring for the Wallabies. // He’s a big unit at 135kg 1.78m
I get the feeling that it's going to be a much closer game than what most people think. Moral victory Oz perhaps?
11,450 posts
Captain Allan Alaalatoa says the Wallabies are well and truly prepared for the big wet and a soft surface heading into Saturday night's Rugby Championship showdown against South Africa in Perth.
The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast possible storms and heavy falls for Perth on Saturday, with 15-40mm of rain tipped to fall during the day.
The Optus Stadium surface has come under heavy fire this season in AFL circles for being too slippery, and Saturday's heavy rain is set to exacerbate the problem.
South Africa dominated Australia at the scrum on the way to a 33-7 win in Brisbane last week, and the Wallabies are determined to turn the tables in Saturday's re-match.
Alaalatoa said the Wallabies were well aware of the predicted rain and the quality of the turf leading into the game.
"It's a bit soft underneath," he told reporters on Friday after training at Optus Stadium.
"I think that's probably due to the weather that it's had.
"We've spoken about that as a pack and as a team, just making sure that you have the right essentials with your boots, to make sure that you take every opportunity that counts.
"I don't change anything. I wear the longest studs possible.
"So I think it's more some of our outside backs will probably have to change some of their studs, but everyone's across that."
The forecast rain has the potential to turn the contest into a war of attrition, and Alaalatoa said it was important for his team to adapt quickly.
"That's something that as leaders and game drivers we've spoken about throughout the week," he said.
"And yes, it hasn't been the Perth weather that we all expected throughout the week.
"But we've been training in those conditions and making sure that we're smart with where we want to play."
The Wallabies have been boosted by the return of two-time John Eales Medallist Marika Koroibete and star prop Angus Bell.
Alaalatoa hopes Bell will help his side turn the tables in the scrum.
"He's a big body," Alaalatoa said.
"We all know the talent that he is and the things that he's done in this gold jersey.
"It (the scrum battle) is a great challenge and it was a tough learning for us last weekend.
"We didn't go out there and execute the plan that we wanted, and as a front row we've spoken about that.
"Technically we need to be better."
South Africa made a whopping 10 changes to their starting line-up as coach Rassie Erasmus attempts to build on his team's enviable depth.
Despite the mass changes, the Springboks squad will still feature 14 World Cup-winning players.
The Wallabies have opted for a halves pairing of Nic White and Noah Lolesio, while 19-year-old whiz-kid Max Jorgensen will make his Test debut off the bench.