Australia v Springboks: Marika Koroibete-Makazole Mapimpi rivalry to re-ignite as Joe Schmidt boosts backs and scrum for Test II
Marika Koroibete and Makazole Mapimpi clashed in the two Test matches between Australia and the Springboks on Saturday.
Joe Schmidt is reportedly set to boost the experience in his Wallabies backline with Nic White and Marika Koroibete for the second Test against the Springboks in the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies head coach will be forced into making changes to his matchday 23 that was soundly beaten 33-7 in their opening game of the tournament with several players ruled out through injury.
Winger Filipo Daugunu was forced from the field of play injured, while lock Nick Frost sported a nasty black eye during the match, too. Replacement second-rower Jeremy Williams also sustained an injury in the second-half which will see him miss this weekend’s action along with scrum-half Jake Gordon.
Marika Koroibete’s return
Daugunu fractured his fibula in the clash in Brisbane and is now set to be replaced by star winger Koroibete, according to a report by ROAR Sports.
It will be Koroibete’s first Test for the Wallabies this year after making a U-turn on his decision to retire from international rugby following the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Koroibete is set to line up on the left wing but is bound to re-spark the rivalry with Springboks winger Makazole Mapimpi – who has been named in South Africa’s starting XV – with the pair memorably clashing during the 2022 Rugby Championship.
In the first Test between the two sides that year in Adelaide, Koroibete landed a thumping tackle on Mapimpi – which many believed was illegal – to deny the Bok flyer a try, but the World Cup winner got his revenge a week later. Mapimpi managed to sneak over in the corner, beating the tackle from Koroibete, and cheekily pushed his opposing winger in the face when getting back to his feet, sparking a scuffle.
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How did the Wallabies stop this try?! 🤯🤯
📺 Wallabies v Springboks | LIVE on Stan Sport.#StanSportAU #TRC2022 #AUSvRSA pic.twitter.com/StqqpZ9hDE
— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) August 27, 2022
Also returning to the Wallabies starting XV is scrum-half White, who Mapimpi also had a run-in with in the second Test when he told the number nine to ‘shut up’. The veteran scrum-half is reportedly set to link up with his former Super Rugby teammate Noah Lolesio as the starting half-backs, with Gordon sidelined for the rematch.
The report adds that Angus Blyth will fill Frost’s void in the second-row with further changes taking place in the front-row.
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The Wallabies’ scrum was decimated by the Boks in Brisbane and Angus Bell looks to be tasked with anchoring the Australian set-piece as he returns from injury in place of Isaac Kailea. He could pack down alongside Josh Nasser and Allan Alaalatoa.
Lastly, the report states that highly-rated back Max Jorgensen will finally make his Test bow for the Wallabies after injury robbed him of a debut during the Rugby World Cup. He could feature from the bench with fellow debutant Seru Uru.
Prop Taniela Tupou also won’t return for the Wallabies this week following the passing of his father.
READ MORE: ‘It’s a slap in the face’ – Rassie Erasmus dismisses Springboks selection claim
Probable Wallabies 23 to face the Springboks
15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Carlo Tizzano, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Angus Blyth, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (c), 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Angus Bell
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 James Slipper, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Seru Uru, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Max Jorgensen
