Joe Schmidt’s hopes of turning around the Wallabies’ equal biggest loss to the Springboks on home soil in time for next Saturday’s rematch have suffered a giant blow, with a trio of players, including winger Filipo Daugunu, to miss The Rugby Championship clash in Perth.
Following their 26-point loss in front of 52,019 fans at Suncorp Stadium, Schmidt has lost winger Daugunu (fractured fibula) and locks Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams (both concussion).
While Frost and Williams will likely be fit for the upcoming two-Test tour of Argentina, Daugunu’s injury will likely see him miss the rest of the Rugby Championship.
The injuries are another hit to the Wallabies’ depth stocks, with Reds recruit Josh Canham called up.
Force-based Test forwards Tom Robertson and Sam Carter will also join the Wallabies to add some extra resources following a physical battle where Schmidt’s young side was second-best in every area against the back-to-back world champions.
Nor will the Wallabies likely be able to call on giant prop Taniela Tupou, whose father passed away recently.
The absence of Tupou, in particular, is a mega blow given the Wallabies’ struggles up front at the scrum.
Allan Alaalatoa struggled up front against the Springboks while the Wallabies aren’t likely to be able to call on Taniela Tupou. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
Without Tupou, the Wallabies’ scrum was regularly on roller-skates.
The lack of forward impetus and penetration at the set-piece and in general play meant the Wallabies were reduced to being a battering ram.
While Schmidt has few options to turn to up front, at least the Wallabies have a readymade replacement for Daugunu with Marika Koroibete set to return to the left-wing.
Koroibete – the only overseas-based Wallaby included in Schmidt’s 36-man squad – controversially wasn’t selected after it was deemed that the two-time John Eales Medallist wasn’t in prime physical shape.
But given the physical shellacking, Schmidt will all but certainly turn to the 32-year-old to provide some punch and defensive prowess on the flanks.
Elsewhere, Schmidt will likely turn to Tom Hooper to add some starch and versatility in the forward pack.
Just who replaces Frost, one of the Wallabies’ best during their 33-7 loss, remains to be seen with Angus Blyth used throughout the July Tests before missing selection against the Boks.
Blyth and his new teammate Canham, who showed some raw physicality and ability to play up a level during their quarter-final loss to the Hurricanes, will likely vie for one position in the 23-man squad.
Nick Frost will miss the Wallabies’ return fixture against the Springboks after copping a head knock at Suncorp Stadium on August 10, 2024 in Brisbane. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
Whether loose-head prop Angus Bell is fit to return remains to be seen, with the star 23-year-old only recently returning from a foot injury.
Meanwhile, Noah Lolesio will come under pressure to hold onto his position after another patchy performance where the Wallabies fly-half struggled to work his way into the match after his forward pack were well beaten.
But the Wallabies weren’t helped by their wastefulness in the opening 20 minutes where both Jake Gordon and Lolesio kicked away possession inside the Springboks’ half.
Schmidt indicated he wouldn’t throw the toys out of the cot and suddenly look overseas for answers, saying he was confident the men he originally picked could make some improvements.
“I think there’s guys who will improve what they’re delivering,” Schmidt said.
“Maybe it won’t be improved in time for next Saturday but we do have to have a bit of a long-term plan.
“We have got a much younger side than the South Africans. We’ve got a lot less caps, we’ve got a lot less experience and, therefore, my belief is if we chop and change too much then it’s very hard to grow the cohesion because when you go out in a game like that you are very interdependent and you’re going to have to make sure that everyone knows their role.
“I am a realist and I know that you don’t suddenly match up, front up and better those guys but you’ve got to better yourself for next week.”
Despite the heavy first-up loss, Wallabies rookie Luke Reimer said there was still a belief in the side that they could hit back against the Springboks.
“There’s moments in that game where you look at it and go it’s possible to beat them,” Reimer said.
“At the end of the day, it’s whoever turns up. You saw Ireland do it a couple of weeks ago. Like I said, at the end of the day it’s who turns up.
“There’s definitely opportunity around some of their weaknesses, you’d say. We’ve just got to have a good look at how we can attack that and implement that into this week moving forward.”
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