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The Wallabies’ hopes of beating the Springboks at altitude for the first time in 15 years have been boosted by the inclusion of power forwards Rob Valetini and Will Skelton in the tour squad to fly to South Africa on Saturday.
Life after the Lions will begin in earnest for the Wallabies on Friday when they gather in Sydney ahead of a journey to Johannesburg the next day, for the first of their opening two matches of the Rugby Championship.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt named a 35-player squad on Thursday, and, crucially given their impact during the recent Lions series, Valetini was included on the list despite missing the third Lions Test with a calf injury, and Skelton was confirmed as having agreed to remain with the Wallabies instead of returning to France.
Skelton is poised to play his first Rugby Championship fixtures in a non-World Cup year since 2016, and his size and strength will be vital if the Wallabies are to take down the Springboks at Ellis Park on August 17.
The last time the Wallabies beat the Boks at high altitude was in Bloemfontein in 2010.
Taniela Tupou was also named in the squad, despite being in doubt for the first Test with a toe injury.
Rob Valetini won’t play in the Wallabies third Test due to injury.Credit: Getty Images
Power is the name of the game for Schmidt, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto also finally recalled to the Wallabies squad after displaying dominant form against the Lions in three tour fixtures for Queensland, the AUNZ Invitational XV and the First Nations and Pasifika side, but failing to get a call-up for the Test series. The big Reds lock has replaced Josh Canham.
Elsewhere, the selection of Tane Edmed to replace Tom Lynagh (concussion) was confirmed as well but in another interesting twist, James O’Connor was also named in the group, though his original plan had been to join Leicester immediately after the Lions series.
There was no shortage of altered plans in the Wallabies squad, in fact, with Nic White delaying his international retirement to go on the tour, due to a hamstring injury to Jake Gordon which ruled the halfback out of the trip.
Brumbies halfback Ryan Lonergan was named in his first full Wallabies squad after a long time waiting his turn, and could make a Test debut in South Africa.
Up front, another former All Black could make a Test debut with loosehead prop Aidan Ross named in the squad. Ross, who played one Test for New Zealand, finished with the Chiefs in the Super Rugby in June and moved to the Queensland Reds, where he played against the Lions.
Ross’ inclusion indicates the Wallabies may ask two-side props James Slipper and Tom Robertson to cover for Tupou if he is not fit.
Schmidt has also adjusted his plans, with the selections of Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper and Tupou. The trio are all headed overseas at the end of the year, and the early plan of Schmidt was to not consider them for the TRC and instead favour players who are staying. But all three are in excellent form, and moreover, are needed by the Wallabies given shallow depth.
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Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Josh Nasser were added to the squad officially, after both flew in late to Sydney following injuries to Matt Faessler and Dave Porecki. The latter subsequently announced his retirement.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said in a statement: “It’s pleasing to be able to keep the core of the group together, while also leaning on some depth and fresh bodies. We’re very conscious of how difficult it is going to be, playing South Africa on their home turf over two consecutive weekends.
“The group has made some positive steps throughout the start of the Test season, but we all know there is a lot of hard work ahead of us.”
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