Big boot and old head selected to stop Wallabies’ rot
I just like the way [ Reece] Hodge plays. Michael Cheika, Wallabies coach
Coach Michael Cheika’s only changes to an Australia XV mired in a run of six consecutive losses were to hand a 22- year- old wing his starting debut and to install a veteran lock at loose forward, hoping to give the Wallabies some stability in the lineout.
Australia play South Africa in a Rugby Championship match at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium tonight, aiming for their first win in the tournament after two losses to the All Blacks. It comes after an unprecedented three home losses to England in June and a World Cup final loss to the All Blacks at Twickenham last October, accounting for the lengthy skid.
Reece Hodge will play his first test in the starting lineup after coming off the bench in the 29- 9 loss to New Zealand two weeks ago in Wellington. He’ll start on the wing in place of injured 116- test veteran Adam AshleyCooper, who has returned to his French club Bordeaux.
In the New Zealand match, Hodge showed himself to be a competent long- range goal kicker, landing one from halfway.
“I just like the way Hodge plays,” Cheika said. “He’s got good composure, good demeanour and, the more experience we give him in these big matches, the better he will be.”
Cheika’s only other change to the starting lineup was on the blindside flank. The 32- year- old utility Dean Mumm, who went on early against the All Blacks to restore order to the lineout, takes over from Scott Fardy, who has played in 35 of Australia’s past 43 tests.
“Probably a bit more accurate around the lineout,” Cheika said. “I think ( Mumm) has played well when he’s come off the bench in both matches and has finished for us well. Shown a lot of energy and deserves a start.”
Springboks coach Allister Coetzee included Francois Hougaard, Juan de Jongh and Jesse Kriel in a revamped backline. In the only change among the forwards, tighthead prop Lourens Adriaanse will earn his first start in place of Vincent Koch.
South Africa started off the Rugby Championship with a 30- 23 home win over Argentina at Nelspruit, before a 26- 24 loss to the Pumas at Salta, Argentina.
“Looking at the impact that Juan and Jesse made when they came off the bench in Nelspruit and Salta, I think now i s the right time to give them a starting opportunity,” Coetzee said.
Hougaard has also been handed a starting spot, lining up on the left wing and pushing Bryan Habana to the opposite side. Hougaard replaces the injured Ruan Combrinck, who is out for the season after breaking his leg.
“Francois covers two positions for us, on the wing and scrumhalf, and he has other good attributes,” Coetzee said. “He is very competitive and his defensive work is solid because he contests hard on the ground.”