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Welcome to live coverage of the third round of The Rugby Championship between the Wallabies and Springboks at Adelaide Oval. Kick-off: 3:30pm AEST.
The clock is ticking for the Wallabies under Dave Rennie. The Wallabies coach has a poor win record (40%) and unless it changes against the Springboks the heat will be turned on.
After a record loss to Michael Cheika’s Pumas in San Juan, which came off a home series defeat against England, the Wallabies have lost six of their past eight in a dreadful run that goes back to last year’s spring tour in the United Kingdom.
The New Zealand coach has resorted back to Noah Lolesio at fly-half and recalled Reece Hodge at fullback as part of six changes to the starting side.
It’s a big match for both men, with the World Cup just 14 Tests away and the positions wide open for the taking.
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Helping the Wallabies’ cause are the returns of Folau Fainga’a and Allan Alaalatoa in the front-row, while Matt Philip will partner Rory Arnold in the second-row.
In the backline Hunter Paisami returns from concussion at inside centre while Tom Wright shifts from fullback to the wing to accommodate Hodge.
Hodge is expected to be peppered by the Springboks’ halves, who try to squeeze you and back their defence before pouncing on mistakes.
Follow all the live action in our blog below!
Five of the Springboks’ world champion backline players feature in the run-on side, with Faf de Klerk and Handre Pollard starting in the halves. They are joined by the world’s best midfield combination in Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am while Makazole Mapimpi features on the wing.
Rising star Damian Willemse is at fullback alongside Warrick Gelant.
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Up front the Springboks have a world class forward pack, with Siya Kolisi at openside flanker alongside two of the world’s best in Duane Vermeulen and Pieter-Steph du Tout.
Hard man Eben Etzebeth starts in the second-row and is partnered by Lood de Jager.
The Springboks have power and a “bomb squad” to bring off the bench, with Malcolm Marx and Steven Kitshoff two of the best front-rowers in the world.
The Springboks have not won on Australian shores against the Wallabies since 2013 – a run of seven matches.
Wallabies (15-1): Reece Hodge; Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight; Jed Holloway, Matt Philip, Rory Arnold; Allan Alaalatoa, Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper (c)
Reserves: David Porecki, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Darcy Swain, Rob Leota, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Andrew Kellaway
Springboks (15-1): Damian Willemse, Warrick Gelant, Lukhanyo Am, Damian de Allende, Makazole Mapimpi, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Duane Vermeulen, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (c), Lood de Jager, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Joseph Dweba, Ox Nche
Reserves: Malcolm Marx, Steven Kitshoff, Vincent Koch, Franco Mostert, Kwagga Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Elton Jantjies, Frans Steyn
Follow all the live action in our blog below!
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