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Springboks make wholesale changes as Wallabies get UFC inspiration

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto playing against Wales this summer

The Wallabies have been tuning up for their second shot at the world champion Springboks by getting some extra tuition from some stars of UFC ahead of Saturday’s match in Perth. The Western Australian city will not only host the Round 2 Rugby Championship match, but also stage UFC 305 the next day, with Aussie […]

The Wallabies have been tuning up for their second shot at the world champion Springboks by getting some extra tuition from some stars of UFC ahead of Saturday’s match in Perth.

The Western Australian city will not only host the Round 2 Rugby Championship match, but also stage UFC 305 the next day, with Aussie ring stars Tai Tuivasa, and Steve Erceg fighting alongside South African middleweight Dricus du Plessis.

Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto got the chance to stand face-to-face with ‘Bam Bam’ Tuivasa ahead of the weekend action. The Wallabies know they will need a big reaction after their 33-7 defeat in Brisbane last weekend.
“It’s good to come here and mix it with a few of the UFC boys. We’re huge fans of the sport and it’s awesome to get behind a few Aussies that are fighting this weekend,” said Salakaia-Loto.
“It’s a big weekend of sport here in Perth so it’s awesome to be a part of it and hopefully we can get a result.”
Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt has made five changes to the starting XV that went down to defeat at the Suncorp Stadium. Marika Koroibete returns to the wing to replace the injured Filipo Daugunu to pick up his 70th cap.
Another hugely experienced player, scrum half Nic White, is recalled and Angus Bell comes in at loose head prop. Josh Nasser moves up off the bench to start at hooker, while Angus Blyth returns to join Salakaia-Loto in the second row.
Both the Wallabies and Springboks will be heading to Wales at the end of the Rugby Championship to complete their international programmes for 2024 in the Autumn Nations Series at Principality Stadium.
WALES AUTUMN NATIONS SERIES – PRINCIPALITY STADIUM
Sunday 10 November
WALES V FIJI – KO 1:40PM
Sunday 17 November
WALES V AUSTRALIA – KO 4:10PMSaturday 23 November
WALES V SOUTH AFRICA – KO 4:40PM

Tickets Available HERE

“There’s some continuity and freshness in this team after a very physical test last weekend. The players have rolled up their sleeves and worked hard again this week, and the reality is that we need to be more combative and accurate this Saturday,” said Schmidt.

All three teams heading to Wales in the autumn will be in action in major tournaments this month with Fiji opening their Pacific Nations tournament against Samoa on Friday, 23 August. With all three countries currently sitting ahead of Wales in the World Rugby Rankings, the three fixtures will give Warren Gatland’s men a chance to move up from their current position of 11th.
WORLD RUGBY RANKINGS
1. South Africa 93.11 11. Wales 76.04
2. Ireland 92.12 12. Georgia 74.1
3. New Zealand 88.37 13. Samoa 73.65
4. France 86.96 14. Japan 71.63
5. England 85.4 15. Portugal 70.61
6. Argentina 83.64 16. Tonga 68.66
7. Scotland 82.82 17. Uruguay 67.39
8. Italy 79.98 18.Spain 66.29
9. Australia 78.96 19. USA 66.01
10. Fiji 77.44 20. Romania 62.62

The Springboks, meanwhile, have rung the changes from Brisbane, with head coach Rassie Erasmus applying major rotation to his squad. There are no fewer than 10 alterations to the starting XV that won so handsomely in Brisbane.

Scrum half Morne van den Berg and lock Ruan Nortje will make their first Test starts at the Optus Stadium in Perth, while Salmaan Moerat will lead the team after double World Cup winning skipper Siya Kolisi takes a break.

Marco van Staden is promoted from the bench to wear Kolisi’s No 6 jersey, while the only players retaining starting places are Cheslin Kolbe (wing), Jesse Kriel (centre), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (flyhalf), Elrigh Louw (No 8) and Pieter-Steph du Toit, who moves from lock to flanker.
Erasmus explained his thinking by claiming it is in line with his desire to continue finding the balance between building momentum and expanding squad depth.
“We made it clear from the outset this season that one of our main goals is to build squad depth with an eye on the next Rugby World Cup here in Australia. We feel there is no better way to test some of the younger players and assess where we are as a group against a top-Tier nation, than in this match, especially as we are away from home,” said Erasmus.
“We have a group of about 45 players who are part of our wider squad this season and we’ve seen what most of these players can do. We have full faith in the younger generation coming through, and we feel this is the right time to Test them against an Australian outfit that will be desperate to bounce back strongly from last weekend.”
Australia: Tom Wright; Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete; Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Angus Bell, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa (captain), Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Carlo Tizzano, Harry Wilson

Reps: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Seru Uru*, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen*

South Africa: Aphelele Fassi; Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi; Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg; Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Johan Grobbelaar, Thomas du Toit, Salmaan Moerat (captain), Ruan Nortje, Marco van Staden, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Elrigh Louw
Reps: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handré Pollard

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