Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has expressed his frustration after a record defeat to Argentina in San Juan.
The visitors were dominated from siren to siren as Los Pumas cruised to a 48-17 win, looking like a side properly dealing with life without Michael Hooper and a near full XV of players.
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It caps off a fortnight that has seen multiple late changes and season-ending injuries to the likes of Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi as Rennie lambasted their inability to shut down the high ball.
“Massive disappointment. That’s not good enough,” coach Dave Rennie said after the match.
“We conceded four tries with kicks in-between us and got dominated in the collision area. We created plenty of opportunities but we have to be patient and our rucks not a disaster.
“We just weren’t clinical enough…we definitely lacked cohesion with a few changes. We’ll look at the footage but we’re better than that.
“It’s a massive disappointment. We want to earn the respect of the country but you don’t do it with performances like that.”
Captain James Slipper echoed these thoughts, giving credit to an Argentina side that were clinical with ball in hand as dominant in every facet of the game.
“Off the back of a good performance last week, we really wanted to back it up and we fell short of standards today,” captain James Slipper added.
“I thought the Argentineans were good today and got the momentum behind them from the crowd, they were a tough team to play catch-up footy against so full credit to them.
“We’re excited to get home, it’s been a really tough tour for us so we have the South Africans twice at home now which we’re really looking forward to and being back in front of our home fans.”
Rennie refused to use the growing injury list as an excuse as they were outclassed.
“We would (like to have a consistent team list) but we had a good enough side to do the job,” he believes.
“We gave them a few soft points early on and fought our way back into it. We have to better and we’ll get a few players back. Whoever puts the jersey on has to front but we weren’t good enough.”
The Wallabies conceded seven tries and four of them came from kicks.
If you’re looking for a reason why the Wallabies lost, that paints a pretty clear picture.
The Wallabies’ raw fullback Tom Wright was exposed. The Brumbies back has been excellent in his previous three Tests of the year, but his lack of time spent in the role was brutally exposed by Argentina, who tested his positional understanding and his aerial skills too.
He wasn’t the only one either. Marika Koroibete was found out in the air, while Reece Hodge was penalized after he made contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to compete for the ball.
The Wallabies’ scrum was edged, too, with the Argentine pack up for the challenge following their heavy defeat a week earlier.
As for James O’Connor, the recalled playmaker faces a fight to keep his place after a frustrating performance.
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Wallabies try BRUTALLY disallowed! | 01:22
Had his try midway through the first half not been disallowed it likely would have been a different story for the 32-year-old. It didn’t, and anyone wearing the No.10 jersey generally shoulders the blame regardless of whether they deserve it.
Here are our player ratings from the record loss to Argentina.
Tom Wright- 3.5
Given the fullback’s struggles under the high ball, Dave Rennie will likely recall Andrew Kellaway should the Rebels back be fit to take on the Springboks later this month.
Wright doesn’t deserve to be dropped. One poor game doesn’t define a player, but the Brumby is a developing 15 and could benefit from more time on the wing. He’ll be a strong contender for the No.23 jersey should Kellaway be fit.
The tough day started in the very first minute, as he fumbled a tough ball from Jordan Petaia and Argentina scored.
Moments later and Argentina won a 50-22 as the home side exposed Wright’s positional understanding.
“Pretty inexcusable from the Wallabies from set phase not to be able to defend a 50-22 in that situation,” former All Blacks playmaker Andrew Mehrtens said for Stan.
On three occasions Wright lost possession in the air. He was out leapt in the eighth minute by Emiliano Boffelli.
He didn’t get a hand on a kick in the 27th minute. He was also beaten in the air again in the 36th minute but fortunately was saved by some Marika Koroibete brilliance in defense as he forced Boffelli to spill the ball over the tryline.
Later, in the 52nd minute, Wright chose to run the ball but should have played the percentages as he was tackled and gave away a penalty for not releasing.
Tom Wright had a difficult match at fullback against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Jordan Petaia – 6
It was a case of being so close yet so far for Petaia.
Petaia sent O’Connor in to score but the try was denied for an illegal cleanout from James Slipper.
Later he lost the ball over the tryline as the ball was ripped away.
But there was also one of those passes into touch in the 51st minute, while he also intercepted a pass in the 56th minute before quickly throwing one of his own as he sought to keep the ball in the field of play.
More promisingly Petaia got his hands on the ball. Yet the fact Australia has not put an attacking kick in for Petaia tells you a lot about the Wallabies’ attack in recent weeks.
Len Ikitau – 7.5
One of the Wallabies’ best. Ikitau scored a try, made a massive linebreak and was strong on either side of the ball.
His linebreak in the 29th minute should have led to some points. Instead, it led to a penalty to the Pumas one phase later as Nic White was pinged for a side entry at the ruck.
The Wallabies were smashed by Argentina at San Juan del Bicentenario Stadium on August 13, 2022 in San Juan. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Lalakai Foketi – 6
A couple of good touches, including in the 10th minute to slip a great ball to Ikitau.
Foketi did, however, overtrack in defense along with James O’Connor and Lachie Lonergan ahead of the Pumas’ third try.
Marika Koroibete – 6
Defensively Koroibete was excellent.
He had a fantastic trysaver on Boffelli and laid on some big shots, including one ahead of Fraser McReight’s turnover in the 10th minute.
His clearing kick beyond halfway in the 19th minute was a cracker, too.
Unfortunately Koroibete too was beaten in the air and the uncertainty in the air meant Argentina continued to pepper the Wallabies’ back three.
The little knock-on in the 41st minute at the base of the ruck straight after half-time summed up the Wallabies’ frustrating performance.
James O’Connor – 5
The Wallabies playmaker will likely shoulder some of the blame for the defeat, but that would be an unfair marker.
Had O’Connor’s try stood the Wallabies would have been in front and he would have had a great highlights moment. It didn’t and the Wallabies conceded two quick tries.
Defensively O’Connor had a couple of moments that won’t reflect well.
He was run over the top by Tomas Gallo in the sixth minute as Taniela Tupou fell off a tackle, he overtracked ahead of the Pumas’ third try and he spilled a ball in contact for the Pumas’ try after the Wallabies’ back three didn’ Don’t get hands on another kick.
There was however some nice manipulation of the defense in the 72nd minute as she ran to the line and put Ikitau through a little hole. But, as Rennie later lamented, the Wallabies pushed the pass and found the touchline.
James O’Connor (L) had a frustrating return at fly-half. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
Nick White – 5
The Wallabies’ struggles to hold onto the ball meant White had a frustrating Test.
The experienced halfback had little space to test out the Argentine defence.
Frustratingly, too, when the Wallabies had the ball in the opposition half they looked dangerous. They just didn’t keep the ball long enough to mount any real pressure.
He appeared lost with what to do in the 30th minute and had his pass intercepted.
Rob Valetini – 9
The Wallabies’ best player on the field.
Valetini’s ball carrying was a real feature.
I have powered over the gain line ahead of Slipper’s try for the Wallabies.
He was strong in defense too, producing a great counter-ruck in the 18th minute to allow McReight to get on the ball to win a penalty.
Lachie Lonergan’s nice ball sent Valetini through a huge hole in the 45th minute. It should have ended in a try as he unleashed Petaia, who was stripped over the line.
Valetini’s one blemish came in the 61st minute, as he slightly changed his direction after a chip and chase and was penalized.
Rob Valetini was the Wallabies’ best against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Fraser McReight – 5.5
Good pressure on the ball, including a great breakdown win in the 10th minute.
Unfortunately for McReight he was sent to the sin bin midway through the second half despite referee Karl Dickson playing advantages ahead of their fifth try.
Jed Holloway – 6
Holloway was effective in the lineout and had a steal, too. He had some good runs to the line as well. But he needs to demand more of the ball.
The Waratahs forward looks set for a long stint in the side and his physical prowess will help with the pack.
Darcy Swain – 5.5
After last weekend’s outstanding Test, Swain wasn’t nearly as effective. why? Quite simply the Wallabies had little set piece ball.
Swain was penalized in the 28th minute after playing on despite a ruck being formed.
Rory Arnold – 6.5
A respectable return for the Japanese-bound lock.
Arnold carried well and even took an intercept in the 29th minute.
But his real strength around the maul wasn’t able to be used because of the Wallabies’ struggles under the high ball.
Taniela Tupou struggled for the Wallabies in his return to the starting side. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Taniela Tupou – 5
Punished at the scrum, the Wallabies struggled at the set-piece. They were penalized there on a number of occasions, with Tupou pinged for not driving straight.
Tupou was also penalized for collapsing a maul in the 24th minute.
It wasn’t until the 46th minute that Tupou managed to get well over the gain line.
The massive Wallabies tight-head prop has yet to master a Test that he has started.
Lachlan Lonergan – 6
A reasonable effort, having been asked to start against the Pumas.
The young Brumby’s lineout was largely effective.
But the Wallabies’ scrum was beaten, he over tracked ahead of the Pumas’ second try and missed a tackle from the kick restart in the 55th minute.
James Slipper (c) – 6.5
One of the Wallabies’ better forwards.
Slipper’s opening 20 minutes was outstanding. Unfortunately he was penalized for an illegal cleanout, which was questionable at best.
Slipper carried strongly and showed some good hands, too. He also scored the Wallabies’ first try.
The Wallabies suffered their greatest defeat to Argentina. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
BOOK
Billy Pollard – 5.5
Came on midway through the second half and hit the mark with his throws on debut. tick.
Matt Gibbon – N/A
Came on late for Slipper, but helped the Wallabies win a penalty when he went through the middle of a maul in the 71st minute.
Puts Fa’amausili – 6
Some great shots and strong carries after coming on midway through the second half. A promising debut off the bench.
Nick Frost – 5
Wasn’t able to impose himself like he did a week ago.
Pete Samu – 6
Effective on both sides of the ball after replacing Holloway in the second half.
Tate McDermott – 6
McDermott’s 50/22 in the 69th minute was a cracker. Unfortunately Valetini got clipped first phase from the attacking lineout and was brought down before Irae Simone was pinged for side entry at the ruck.
Irae Simone – N/A
Came on late but gave away a penalty for side entry at the ruck.
Reece Hodge – N/A
Another who came on late, Hodge was penalized for making contact in the air after not being in a realistic position to catch a ball at fullback.
The Wallabies crashed 48-17 in San Juan this morning against an inspired Argentinian side which beat them in every area of the game.
It was a stark lesson for the Wallabies, especially with their inability to deal with the contestable kicking game executed so well by the Pumas.
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Few stood tall in the Wallabies’ heaviest-ever loss to Argentina in the eToro Rugby Championship.
1 OUTKICKED, OUTPLAYED
The Wallabies were on the backfoot just 60 seconds into the Test when they botched a contestable high kick and conceded a 7-0 start.
Winger Jordan Petaia mopped up the ball but his poor short relay to Tom Wright was a hospital pass in the face of a rush of blue-and-white jerseys. The bobbling loose ball was turned into a Pumas try.
The Wallabies didn’t handle another high kick before half-time. Nic White had offered a shield to anyone prepared to leap for the ball on the full but no one did.
This time the ball bobbled off James O’Connor into Argentine arms. Try and a 26-10 half-time deficit.
There was a definite change of tactics in this kicking area by the Pumas. Backed up by the superior effort they put into getting in the air and chasing the late grubber kicks ahead, it paid off big time.
2 FULLBACK IS STILL AN ISSUE
This flows on from the kicking issue.
You need a fullback who commands the air and the Wallabies didn’t have one in San Juan.
Tom Wright has definite positives but he was found out a deal in this Test.
The Wallabies have to work this out because the South Africans will be pumping plenty of high, contestable kicks in Adelaide in a fortnight.
Another air raid is coming.
You might build a case for Petaia because he is excellent in the air but he’s a novice fullback.
Time for a specialist which means Jock Campbell.
3 ROB VALETINI STANDS TALL
Backrower Rob Valetini was one of the few Wallabies to throw some serious venom back at the Pumas.
His powerhouse charges off several creative lineout variations were rare highlights.
One huge run set up the James Slipper try. I have kept fronting up too.
Winger Marika Koroibete, with another fine try-saving tackle, and center Len Ikitau were two other Wallabies who came out of this disasterous result able to hold their heads high.
4 LACK OF COHESION
The injury toll has eaten away at the combinations the Wallabies had put time into building.
There was still a good enough Wallabies outfit on the field to win the Test but when the momentum of the Argentinians grew, the cracks appeared.
Two Wallabies defenders overtracked in defense off a scrum when they let Pumas center Jeronimo de la Fuente cut back on the angle to score almost untouched in the first half. That was poor.
The Nic White-Noah Lolesio combination in the halves works for the Brumbies because White dominates the playmaking in the partnership.
With James O’Connor beside White, the ball needed to be in O’Connor’s hands more although this was not an ideal game to judge.
5 DEBUTANT HOOKER
Young hooker Billy Pollard would never have imagined this Test debut even a few weeks ago.
We’ve been calling Pollard the hooker Australia has to have at the 2027 Rugby World Cup. He’s fast-tracked that trajectory in a big way.
He hit his first lineout target, made his first pass and got busy in his 15 minutes. It wo n’t be his last outing from him as a Test player.
The Pumas get revenge for last week’s Rugby Championship loss to the Wallabies, thrashing Australia in San Juan.
Look back at the action in our blog.
live updates
By Simon Smale
Dave Rennie: ‘We’re better than that’
Dave Rennie is speaking to Stan Sport.
“Massive disappointment,” he says.
“It’s not good enough.
“We conceded four tries with kicks in behind us and certainly got dominated in the collision area.
“We created opportunities but we’ve got to be patient our ruck is not a disaster and we just weren’t clinical enough.”
He says that the Wallabies lacked cohesion in the match and looked desperately frustrated, adding “We’re better than that.”.
“We want to earn the respect of the country and you’re never going to do that with performances like that.”
By Simon Smale
James Slipper: Wallabies ‘Probably fell short of standards’
Here’s the skipper, James Slipper.
“Clearly disappointed,” he says.
“Off the back of a good performance last week we wanted to back it up.
“Probably fell short of today’s standards.”
He says that the Argentinans were just the better team on the day.
“They got the momentum and the crowd behind them and they’re a tough team to play catch up football against,” he says.
With all teams sitting on one win each, Slipper says the Rugby Championship is even poised, but the Wallabies are excited to get home.
“I think we’re excited to get home. It’s been a really tough tour for us.”
By Simon Smale
Key Event
Argentina beat Wallabies 48-17
Wow, what a stunning result and a brutal scoreline for the Wallabies to stomach.
The Wallabies were tactically outclassed by former coach Michael Chieka and there’s no hiding it.
The Argentinians kicking out of hand was better, the breakdown was better and they capitalized on the big moments better than the Wallabies.
It’s the biggest ever win by Argentina over Australia.
By Simon Smale
Key Event
80+2′ What a try Argentina!
Oh that’s magnificent from both Tomas Cubelli and try-scorer Tomas Albornoz.
Cubelli took the ball off the back of the scrum and darted through a gap, chipping ahead and that allowed Albornoz to collect and score.
The kick is successful and it’s 48-17!
By Simon Smale
Man of the Match: Thomas Gallo
The player of the match has just been announced to a raucous ovation.
It’s the Argentina prop, Thomas Gallo off the back of his two-try performance.
By Simon Smale
Key Event
78′ Try Argentina!
Lovely try to seal the win from Emiliano Boffelli!
The Wallabies lost the ball at a ruck and then Lucio Cinti put boot to ball, rolling it in behind and Boffelli ran around Markia Koroibete to dot down the bobbling in the corner.
The kicking game has been superior all day, the Wallabies have been punished for mistakes, and that’s the game in a microcosm.
By Simon Smale
77′ Wallabies scrum
Argentina were pushing for another score but lost the ball forward thanks to some solid Wallabies defense on their right edge.
By Simon Smale
74′ Penalty Argentina
Reece Hodge is on and his first involvement is to tackle an Argentinian in the air from another up and under contestable kick.
Argentina put a couple more phases together but we’ll come back for that infringement on half way.
They’ll kick for the corner and have a lineout on the 22.
By Simon Smale
72′ Penalty Argentina
The Wallabies were on the charge, looking to build some phases but Ikitau threw the ball over the line while being tackled and it will be an Argentina line out.
Nope, it will be a penalty, Tate McDermott pinged for a push off the ball as frustrations boil over.
By Simon Smale
69′ Argentina penalty!
Oh the Wallabies can’t keep their discipline!
The ruling is that the Wallabies did not release the ball in the tackle and the hosts get a relieving penalty.
By Simon Smale
67′ 50:22 from Tait McDermott!
Oh that will help the cause!
What a kick from the Queensland scrumhalf!
If the Wallabies score from here, a lineout on the five meters, then things could get very interesting!
By Simon Smale
Key Event
65′ Try Wallabies!
Len Ikitau dives over after being tackled – he popped back to his feet and strolled over the line unapposed.
So that’s the application from the referee just as with the previous try.
Funny, the commentators aren’t nearly as unhappy with that decision…
Can the Wallabies launch a comeback?
By Simon Smale
64′ Wallabies subs
I haven’t mentioned every sub, but Billy Pollard is on. Great story there, the Brumbies hooker has had a hell of a journey to get to Argentina on time and he comes on to make his Test debut.
By Simon Smale
Key Event
64′ Try Argentina!
11 phases of precise and incisive play by the Argentinians get the reward it deserves.
Thomas Gallo looked like he was tackled short, perhaps the referee said he hadn’t been held, but he got up and dove over the line…
Hmmm, not sure about that on replay, but the officials were happy.
There were two penalties in the move through against Fraser McReight we heard the referee say, adding that the Reds man going to be sent to the bin.
The conversion is good and the lead is now 26, Argentina 36-10 ahead.
By Simon Smale
62′ Penalty Argentina
The Wallabies are really struggling to beat this blue and white defensive line, being forced to kick deep while the Argentinians have time to kick high and contest
Rob Valentini closed the gap that Juan Cruz Mallia tried to run into, and gives away the penalty by blocking him.
Again, the commentators seem to think that Valentini didn’t close that gap, but I don’t think they’re quite right. He didn’t do much, admittedly, but he did close out that lane for him to run in to.
Argentina kick deep for a lineout.
By Simon Smale
58′ Knock on Argentina
Oh the Wallabies get away with one there.
Argentina were flooding forward again, Matias Moroni with a decent run initially.
There was an intercept thrown to Petaia, who almost apologetically gave it straight back to the Argentinians.
Taniela Tupou put a thumping tackle in the midfield that barely interrupted the Pumas’ mometum.
A chip in behind isolated James O’Connor and the Argentinans counterrucked to win the turnover, but then knocked the ball on five meters out from the Wallabies line.
By Simon Smale
55′ Penalty Argentina
The Wallabies are caught offside as Argentina flood forward with some nice passing plays.
The hosts are swarming all over the breakdown to create that quick ball which resulted in the offside penalty.
The penalty is just inside the Wallabies half, but they’ll kick for touch this time.
By Simon Smale
Key Event
53′ Penalty goal Argentina!
The Argentinians kicked deep straight away off the lineout after seeing a big gap in behind.
The Wallabies get back through Tom Wright but as he runs the ball back he gets isolated.
The kick from the ten-meter line is good from Emiliano Boffelli and the gap is out to 19 points, 29-10.
By Simon Smale
52′ Wallabies turn the ball over
Some good ball movement right and left from the Wallabies but then a pass out the back goes behind and it will be out for a lineout, that Argentina takes quickly.
By Simon Smale
50′ Penalty Argentina
Gee, the last couple of scrums have been all over the place.
That one moved sideways at a rate of knots before Taniela Tupou was pinged.
Amid golfer Cameron Smith’s rumored decision to take the money and run to LIV, Lalakai Foketi – the relatively unknown Test center – showed that there are still some things in professional sport that money can’t buy. In his case of him, a Wallabies jersey.
The question, however, is for how long, particularly with chatter that Rugby Australia’s eligibility laws will be blown up for next year’s World Cup.
It’s understood in March that Foketi, 27, turned down hundreds of thousands of dollars for the chance to continue his career for the Wallabies.
With his career progression at the Waratahs slowed by injuries, he was offered a large contract worth more than $500,000 to join French Top 14 club Clermont.
He turned it down, but not long after fellow Australian Irae Simone took the money and, therefore, will unlikely ever play for the Wallabies again based on Rugby Australia’s new Overseas Player Selection Policy.
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Lalakai Foketi opted to stay in Australia for the chance to play for the Wallabies instead of taking up an offer overseas. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Foketi, who made his debut against Wales last November, will start for the first time in the No.12 jersey in the absence of Samu Kerevi and Hunter Paisami.
Simone is in-line to play his third Test, after curiously being named on the bench ahead of Noah Lolesio.
You wonder what Lolesio, who played all three Tests against England, and Suliasi Vunivalu, the two-time NRL premiership winner, must be thinking after being left out?
After all, it was only recently the duo re-signed with Rugby Australia.
Now both are seemingly sliding down the pecking order, while in the case of Vunivalu, the high-profile recruit has only been afforded a couple of minutes off the bench at the SCG.
Yet the decision by Foketi to turn down the money is curious.
He is not the only Australian player to turn down overseas offers, or indeed return home, for the lure of the gold jersey.
Nic White and Matt To’omua craved the chance to play for the Wallabies and returned home ahead of the 2019 World Cup to pursue their international debuts.
Others. like James O’Connor, followed suit.
Rising star Nick Frost managed to recently get out of a deal to join Robbie Deans at Panasonic. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
Nick Frost, the 22-year-old rising star, also reneged on a deal to join Robbie Deans’ Panasonic Wild Knights in the Japanese League One competition.
After a cracking game for the Brumbies, Frost’s coach Dan McKellar raised the possibility of him opting out. RA, along with his management of him and the blessing on the Japanese club, skilfully managed to get the second-rower out of the deal.
It’s a different story for Foketi because as talented as the center is, he still did not make Rennie’s initial squad for the England series. Only injury, as well as Kerevi’s desire to represent Australia in the Commonwealth Games, saw the Waratah called up.
Players like Foketi, as well as Hamish Stewart who too craves a Wallabies cap, are the bread and butter of domestic rugby. Without them, the game Down Under would have invested too much in too few leaving too little for the raw talent underneath.
“I went away after I finished school. I debuted for the Rebels and then went to France when I was young and quickly realized that this is the dream and this is what I wanted to do my rugby career,” Foketi said on Friday.
“I’m grateful that I’m here and I’ve just been working hard to get to this point.
“With other options and stuff, (they) haven’t really been at the forefront of my mind. My family’s happy in Sydney, and that’s another big reason, but this is always the pinnacle of rugby, for me.”
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Lalakai Foketi celebrates a try at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the Waratahs. Photo; Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
It is why RA, privately and publicly, will not entertain opening the floodgates and pick widely from overseas because the fear is it will decimate Super Rugby and cripple their stakeholders, namely the Super Rugby franchises, especially in non-World Cup years.
Next year will be the litmus test. Even after Rennie floated the idea of raising the possibility of adding an additional fourth “overseas” pick for the Rugby Championship before their tour of Argentina, RA was privately shutting down any hope of the third-year international coach being able to pick Rory Arnold, Kerevi, Marika Koroibete and Quade Cooper in the same squad.
Season-ending injuries to Cooper and Kerevi have saved Rennie from an intriguing decision.
Yet for months talk has bubbled under the surface that the eligibility criteria will be scrapped for the World Cup year, with as many as five or six players in the mix.
Whether that occurs remains to be seen and injuries could yet have a telling impact.
Japan-bound Rory Arnold will play for the Wallabies against Argentina. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
But as world No.2 golfer Smith sits on a reported $140 million deal to join the LIV Golf Series, sports stars across the world are increasingly choosing money over legacy.
Who can blame them? Private equity, and new found success, seems like the only way to put a lid on Wallabies heading overseas.
How sustainable it is remains questionable, but given Australia is hosting a World Cup in 2027 (men’s) and 2029 (women’s) the governing body will do everything it can to keep players at home.
The Wallabies will be forced to go to the well again, with Hunter Paisami expected to be ruled out of their second Rugby Championship Test against Michael Cheika’s Los Pumas in San Juan.
It’s understood the center, who laid on the Wallabies’ bonus point win with a sublime run and offload in the final play of the game, has suffered a head knock.
His injury will see yet another backline reshuffle, with Lalakai Foketi expected to be named in the No.12 jersey. Irae Simone, who was a late call-up to the squad and will head to Clermont following the two-Test tour of Argentina, is firming for a remarkable return via the bench.
Foketi won’t be the only change either.
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The change at inside center could see the Wallabies opt for the experienced head of James O’Connor to fill the No.10 jersey following Quade Cooper’s devastating season ending injury.
Should Dave Rennie indeed turn to O’Connor, the Test shapes as a crunch one for the 32-year-old, who lost some backers following his poor second half against England in Brisbane last month. Never mind that he was under done and playing away from his preferred position and the lack of time in the saddle showed.
Part of the thinking could be that in Bledisloe III, 2020, Rennie was forced to select the uncapped duo of Noah Lolesio and Simone at 10 and 12 and their inexperience showed as the All Blacks smashed the Wallabies at the Olympic Stadium. Rolling out Lolesio, who is still growing as a player at 22, and Foketi, who will play his second Test, could leave them short of experience and leadership in the backline.
Wallabies bag late, late bonus point try | 00:43
Utility Reece Hodge, who stepped into the hot seat at No.10 early in the second half and was assured and kicked his goals, all but confirmed he wouldn’t start when he indicated on Wednesday that either O’Connor or Lolesio would start in the role.
“Rabs (O’Connor) has got his body in really good shape and he’s been training well the last month and really pushing for selection,” Hodge said.
“Whether it’s him or Noah who get the nod heading into this weekend, we’re confident that both of them are in great physical shape and both training really well, so whoever steers us around will have the full confidence of the squad.”
Meanwhile, Allan Alaalatoa’s (personal reasons) return to Australia has opened the door for Pone Fa’amausili to make his debut off the bench.
The Rebels tight-head prop has long been knocking on the door and been a part of the Wallabies’ squad since 2020.
But stuck behind Alaalatoa and Taniela Tupou, who will start against Los Pumas, and plagued by injuries, the giant wrecking-ball, who was compared to the ‘Tongan Thor’ before the series by Rennie, he has been forced to bide his time and get himself into physical shape.
The potential of Fa’amausili is immense, but the weekend’s Test will be his moment of truth.
Elsewhere, Rennie could yet be swayed to return to Rory Arnold – one of Rennie’s international picks – and having been eased back into the squad following a minor injury, he could yet start.
The Test shapes as a significant one for the Wallabies.
Hunter Paisami is expected to be ruled out of their second Rugby Championship Test.Source: Getty Images
If they pull off back to back wins it will leave them in great shape to give The Rugby Championship a real shake.
The rejigged format of the competition, which includes tours for the first time, will see the Wallabies have the luxury of playing three of the next four Tests on home soil, including consecutive matches against the world champion Springboks.
For the first time in years too, the All Blacks are vulnerable and down on confidence having lost three straight Tests. A fourth consecutive loss to the Springboks could force a coaching change, with Ian Foster on the chopping block.
Cheika’s Pumas will be out for revenge, however, noting their second half disaster, where they were penalized out of the game and smashed at the rolling maul, killed them.
With an inexperienced, lighter front-row to come off the bench for the Wallabies though, the Pumas have the chance to go after their opposition.
When Michael Hooper withdrew less than 48 hours before the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener in Argentina, it shocked the world.
An outpouring of support was issued across the globe from Will Carling to Karmichael Hunt, as it was revealed that Hooper’s “mindset” was not right and he would miss the Test and fly home.
Yet for those closer to the situation, it was not as surprising.
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Hooper has been pushed to the point of breaking for some time, with few others afforded time in the saddle in his position despite the emergence of talented players like Fraser McReight.
Instead, with precious victories and coaching living by results, the Wallabies – and Super Rugby franchises, perhaps with the exception of the Brumbies and recently the Waratahs – have rolled out their premier players for fear of failure.
A talismanic leader, Hooper had not only been holding the Wallabies together on and off the field for years, he had been putting his head in few places dare go.
The second youngest Wallabies captain of all time, Hooper was the youngest player of all time to play 100 Tests.
Last year, he surpassed George Gregan’s (59) record of Tests captained last year, and he is just 18 shy of the 1999 World Cup-winner’s national record of 139.
Michael Hooper withdrew less than 48 hours before the Wallabies’ Rugby Championship opener. (Photo by May Bailey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
All this at the tender age of 30, where he has been handed the captaincy by the past three Wallabies coaches after first being capped by another, Robbie Deans, in 2012.
At some point, age, or at least the sheer minutes he had spent on the playing field, he was going to catch up with him.
Of Hooper’s 121 Tests, he has started in 115 of them and gone the full distance in 95 of those Tests. He has missed just 11 Tests, including the weekend’s 41-26 victory over Michael Cheika’s Argentina, since his debut against Scotland off the bench in Newcastle.
By comparison, Richie McCaw, who started in 141 of his 148 Tests, missed 37 Tests during his decorated career.
Interestingly, in the four years before he retired following the World Cup final in 2015, McCaw started 44 of 45 Tests during the period but only played the full 80 minutes in 33 of those Tests.
But, as age, his durability and the weight of captaining the All Blacks for so many years caught up to him, he missed nine Tests during that golden period.
New Zealand Rugby also afforded him a sabbatical in late 2012 and saw him make his comeback in mid-2013. He didn’t play, but rather cooled his heels.
In May, Hooper laughed off suggestions he could make it through to the home World Cup in 2027 by saying he was more likely to be having a “beer” in the stands at that point.
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But it’s not just the home World Cup that feels like an eternity away for Hooper, it’s the 2025 British and Irish Lions series and, indeed, next year’s World Cup too.
It’s believed after years bouncing back up on a Sunday, the heavy knocks are starting to take their toll.
Recently, Hooper played in Brisbane against England despite being struck down by the flu during the week.
When he copped an early hit after being bounced by Ellis Genge, there was an element of concern around whether he had taken another head knock.
A week later, with the Wallabies’ injury toll stretching to double figures, he backed up for the series decider despite having a crook back.
Earlier in the year, Hooper copped a high tackle from a replacement Crusaders forward, which drew a red card, and he spent two weeks on the sidelines.
Privately the Waratahs and Australian officials were filthy because the culprit, Hamish Dalzell, had also been penalized for a high shot moments earlier that didn’t earn any further punishment.
Concussion is something Hooper is particularly cognizant of.
It’s also understood the Wallabies are being belted on the training field.
It is unclear when Hooper will next play. (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images
Numerous sources, including at Rugby Australia, have also raised questions about the strength and conditioning methods being used under Dean Benton.
Questions have arisen after a number of players have suffered injuries at training in recent months.
There is a belief that the current group needs to be whipped into shape because they are not up to Test match standards.
For now Hooper, who arrived back in Australia on Sunday, is expected to rest and spend time with his family.
No timeframe has been given when the No.7 will next play.
Sources believe he will miss the home Tests against the Springboks.
Fortunately the Wallabies have discovered they can play without Hooper and succeed.
But they might have learned too that humans are not machines.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Jed Holloway will make his debut against Argentina in Mendoza.
Holloway will start at blindside flanker alongside Michael Hooper and Rob Valetini in the opening round of the Rugby Championship.
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The 29-year-old has been a revelation since returning from Japan, overcoming a calf injury that kept him out of the England series.
He is joined by Rebels prop Matt Gibbon, also in line for his debut via the bench.
Gibbon slots into the side after strong showings for Australia A, with Angus Bell (toe) and Scott Sio (neck/shoulder) ruled out.
“We’ve had a strong week of preparation over here in Argentina and we are highly motivated to put on a performance that makes our supporters proud back home in Australia,” Rennie said in a statement.
“It’s an extremely special occasion for Jed, Matt and their families and it’s up to the rest of us to make sure it’s a positive memory on their Test debuts.”
The Wallabies have received further boosts with Quade Cooper (calf) and Jordan Petaia (concussion) cleared to return.
Cooper slots into the halves alongside Nic White for his first Test of 2022, sensationally ruled out of the England series opener in the warm-up.
Meanwhile, Petaia slots onto the wing, with Rennie opting for Tom Wright at fullback after strong showings against England
His Reds teammate Hunter Paisami shifts to inside center after a season-ending injury to Samu Kerevi (knee), with Len Ikitau elevated from the bench.
Darcy Swain makes his return from suspension, partnering Matt Philip in the second-row whilst Nick Frost holds out Rory Arnold for a spot on the bench.
However, Dave Porecki (concussion) will not feature, with Folau Fainga’a slated to start and Lachlan Lonergan to come off the bench.
Lonergan is joined on the bench by Taniela Tupou as Allan Alaalatoa returns to the starting side.
“Argentina will be full of confidence after their home series win over Scotland and we know we’ll need to be at our best to get a good result on Saturday afternoon,” Rennie added.
Volkswagen has drawn up battle plans to make the new Amarok the must-have ute of 2023.
Based on the new Ford Ranger, the new Amarok represents a significant leap beyond the previous model.
It shares core underpinnings and diesel engines with the Ranger, as well as new safety features including auto emergency braking, active cruise control and blind-spot monitoring.
Volkswagen’s best-selling model is also likely to share the Ford’s 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel engine, a motor that sends 184kW and 600Nm to all four wheels through a 10-speed automatic transmission.
But it won’t get the 292kW/283Nm petrol V6 exclusively offered in Ford’s Ranger Raptor.
Ford elected not to offer the Australian Ranger with a 2.3-litre turbo petrol engine found in some Amarok models, one that delivers 222kW and 452Nm of performance.
But the cars are not identical.
VW’s machine wears butch styling shaped by a Melbourne-based design team.
It has the same core interior as the Ranger, though high-end Amarok models have fancier 10-way electric seat adjustment than the Ranger’s eight-way chairs.
And Volkswagen’s 12-inch digital dashboard display is larger than the 8-inch readouts fitted as standard to the Ranger.
Top-grade Amarok variants ride on 21-inch wheels that are significantly larger than the 18-inch rims of a Ranger Wildtrak, which could return more car-like precision from a steering wheel shared with VW’s passenger cars.
VW says the new machine, built in South Africa as opposed to the Thailand-sourced Ranger, benefits from shorter and more frequent shipping routes than the older model, which came from Argentina.
That “ensures steadier supply”, according to Volkswagen.
But it will also mean the Amarok is subject to a 5 per cent vehicle import tariff that does not apply to the Thai-built Ranger, a factor likely to make the VW more expensive than its Blue Oval cousin.
VW will reveal prices for the Amarok closer to its official debut in the first quarter of 2023.
Tolu Latu is once again a Waratah, and the hooker could yet emerge as a player of national interest should he keep on the straight and narrow over the next 16 months.
After weeks of negotiations with the Waratahs, the 21-Test hooker signed a one-year deal with the Super Rugby franchise last week.
By doing so, Darren Coleman has opted for the immense capability of Latu over rising hooker Tom Horton to compete with Wallabies incumbent hooker Dave Porecki and Mahe Vailanu.
It can be revealed Horton, 25, will instead join up with England Premiership champions Leicester, who are coached by Eddie Jones’ former right-hand man Steve Borthwick.
Tom Horton is heading to Leicester and won’t return to the Waratahs for 2023 after Tolu Latu signed with Darren Coleman’s men. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
With Argentine international Julian Montoya unavailable, Tom Youngs retired and Sydney-born England squad member Nic Dolly injured, Borthwick needs a hooker and Horton will compete for the role once his visa is approved and he touches down in the region.
The short-term deal is the perfect opportunity for Horton to grow after a frustrating few years where injuries have slowed his development.
But the Sydney Uni hooker need only look at his former teammate Porecki for inspiration, with the 29-year-old plying his trade in England for years before an opening popped up back at the Waratahs last year. Porecki’s Wallabies debut was delayed by a year because of an injury, but the experienced rake was one of Dave Rennie’s best players against England in July.
Latu’s return is hardly surprising.
He has been linked to a return with the Waratahs ever since he was let go by Stade Francais earlier in the year.
The Waratahs will have two Test hookers at the franchise with Tolu Latu joining Dave Porecki. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images
His departure from the Paris-based Top 14 outfit came after more ill-discipline off the pitch and reckless moments on it, which ultimately saw the 21-Test hooker farewelled.
But his incredible potential, where he is one of the best in Australian rugby over the ball and at the scrum, has seen Australian rugby give the cat with nine lives another chance.
It shapes as his last, with Latu to be shown the door if he puts one foot wrong given his history.
Wallaby Tolu Latu has been handed a lifeline by the Waratahs. Photo: AAPSource: AAP
Latu has joined on a contract worth barely six figures, but if he manages to keep on the right side of the boot greater riches lay ahead.
He is unlikely to come into the reckoning for the Wallabies this year unless a number of injuries, but given his outstanding World Cup campaign in 2019 he is a bolter for next year’s tournament in France.
He will compete with Porecki, Folau Fainga’a and Lachlan Lonergan – all three of whom are in Argentina ahead of the Wallabies’ opening Rugby Championship fixture against Michael Cheika’s Los Pumas in Mendoza on Sunday (AEST).
Argentina’s Australian coach Michael Cheika looks on before the series-deciding international against Scotland at the Madre de Ciudades Stadium in Santiago del Estero. Photo: AFPSource: AFP
Sunday’s Test shapes as a season defining one, especially with the All Blacks fighting fires on a number of fronts.
Not only do the All Blacks have the immense challenge of taking on the Springboks twice in South Africa, they are likely playing for coach Ian Foster’s future.
Foster, unlike two of his assistants, might have been spared the ax following their first series loss on home soil since 1994, but New Zealand Rugby CEO Mark Robinson hardly filled him with confidence when he stopped short of saying he would lead the All Blacks through to next year’s World Cup.
“He’s certainly the person to lead the team to South Africa, and we’re making sure they’ve got everything possible in the way of resourcing and support to make sure that’s successful,” Robinson told Newstalk ZB from Birmingham.
Robinson’s comments came after former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said relations between the New Zealand Rugby board and the players were at their lowest ebb.
“The relationship between the board and the [executive] with the players at the moment is probably the worst it’s ever been,” he said on local radio.
“I don’t think they’re doing their job right at the moment.”
While former NZR boss David Moffett called for Robinson to stand down.
The rumblings in the front office, and the lingering feeling the All Blacks have the wrong man coaching with Scott Robertson waiting in the wings, have left the feeling the All Blacks are at their most vulnerable in two decades ahead of the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup .
