[2025 TRC] South Africa v Australia - 16/8/2025

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Or he might have taken a long term view with some of his big name players coming back from injuries. What's the point of playing someone coming back from injury when you might end up losing them for longer if they worsen the injury? We'll have played 15 tests by the end of the year. Player welfare has to come into it sometimes.

What injury did Tupou have?
I get he didn't play well for the tats but he's clearly world class and with Skelton not available the first test it was obvious he would've been needed

also not having White or JOC in the camp to begin with was a obvious flaw, you need experience especially given those two players have prob won more pro trophies than the rest of the backs combined, even if it's just to benefit the young players in the training camp.

Zero to do with injuries.

 

[Hmmmmmm]

What injury did Tupou have?
I get he didn't play well for the tats but he's clearly world class and with Skelton not available the first test it was obvious he would've been needed

also not having White or JOC in the camp to begin with was a obvious flaw, you need experience especially given those two players have prob won more pro trophies than the rest of the backs combined, even if it's just to benefit the young players in the training camp.

Zero to do with injuries.

Tupou’s form was awful. He’d virtually given up any hope of being picked again. He never got back to his best after his Achilles injury.
White was in the squad but not JOC. Maybe it was a bad decision in hindsight but then I’m not a really successful coach so what would I know. We didn’t really envision losing our two 10’s or Gordon. O’Connor had only played 1 full game. Mostly 10-15 minutes off the bench. I guess Schmidt wanted players with game time

 

[Which Tyler]

That's always a decision that looks good or bad in hindsight. Coaches often get slated for selecting favourites with big game experience over those in form for their clubs.

Like Farrell did, you mean?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Like Farrell did, you mean?

The comparison is quite apt. Yes Farrell got a lot of flak, particularly when it came to Curry Vs Morgan

 

[dirty harry]

Amazing to think that a pack can absolutely make up for a poor half back pairing, and arguably average backline.

Is Aus get things right they stand a chance here

Can we all just take a second to reflect on my powers of analysis...

And then realise I back tracked and didnt have any conviction in this post hahahaha infact forget the 2nd part just focus on the superb prediction!

 

[dirty harry]

Tupou's form was awful. He'd virtually given up any hope of being picked again. He never got back to his best after his Achilles injury.
White was in the squad but not JOC. Maybe it was a bad decision in hindsight but then I'm not a really successful coach so what would I know. We didn't really envision losing our two 10's or Gordon. O'Connor had only played 1 full game. Mostly 10-15 minutes off the bench. I guess Schmidt wanted players with game time

Im going to get slaughtered for this, but I think JOC had an unbelievably bad first half, and was just ok 2nd half.

It felt like the boks threw the kitchen sink first 20, and by half time realised they didnt have that intensity in them, maybe they were cold, maybe they were too hyped and adrenaline dumped, but Its not like Rassie to make errors of judgement. I thought the front row were on too long, I didnt like the selection of Libbock, Willemse on for Fassi seemed like a shocking decision in hindsight...

 

[ChicagoKid]

Im going to get slaughtered for this, but I think JOC had an unbelievably bad first half, and was just ok 2nd half.

It felt like the boks threw the kitchen sink first 20, and by half time realised they didnt have that intensity in them, maybe they were cold, maybe they were too hyped and adrenaline dumped, but Its not like Rassie to make errors of judgement. I thought the front row were on too long, I didnt like the selection of Libbock, Willemse on for Fassi seemed like a shocking decision in hindsight...

100 right again.

He admitted he completely screwed up the selection and strategy.

 

[The Seeker]

It was a tale of two halves. Kudos to the Aussies for their perseverance. Never give up!

 

[dirty harry]

100 right again.

He admitted he completely screwed up the selection and strategy.

Did he? I havnt seen anything from Rassie this week

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Why are both the games between Australia and South Africa being played in South Africa? Shouldn't one of them be played in Australia!

 

[The Seeker]

Why are both the games between Australia and South Africa being played in South Africa? Shouldn't one of them be played in Australia!

Good question. I'm sure someone will have an answer.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

its a rotation thing to cut down on travel back and forward to RSA, teams get to settle there (or SA teams here) for 3-4 weeks, it will be the other way next year

Just like NZ is in Argentina again this week

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

its a rotation thing to cut down on travel back and forward to RSA, teams get to settle there (or SA teams here) for 3-4 weeks, it will be the other way next year

Just like NZ is in Argentina again this week

Well that makes it an unfair competition for this year.
Ive always thought the six nations is unfair because some teams get 3 home games and some get 2 home games.

 

[Ferrari333SP]

 

[saulan]

Well that makes it an unfair competition for this year.
Ive always thought the six nations is unfair because some teams get 3 home games and some get 2 home games.

How is it unfair specifically for this year vs any other year?

Each team plays 3 home games and 3 away games, so there is consistency in that. SA and Arg always play each other home and away, and NZ and Aus always play each other home and away.

Each country will then do host one of the other teams twice and play the other away twice, which rotates each year. So last year SA played Aus away twice and NZ at home twice. This year they play Aus at home twice and NZ away twice.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Well that makes it an unfair competition for this year.
Ive always thought the six nations is unfair because some teams get 3 home games and some get 2 home games.

might not be perfect but better than rubbish games because teams are jet lagged, also this year as a prime example.....cape town is now going to be fizzing after last week