Winners and losers from the Wallabies team to take on the Springboks

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Suliasi Vunivalu, Eddie Jones and Jed Holloway for the Wallabies.

Following the announcement of Eddie Jones’ 23-man Australia squad to face South Africa in the Rugby Championship, Planet Rugby picks out the winners and losers.

Winners

Ex-league speedster gets chance

Out of form for the Reds this season and not favoured by Dave Rennie before that, Suliasi Vunivalu is very fortunate to be in this side, but Jones likes his league players. There is no doubting his capabilities with ball in hand and he does provide physicality and speed out wide, but there are still concerns around his work ethic off the ball and some of his basics.

If the Wallabies get him in the action, Vunivalu will be a threat, and this is his chance to prove that he can hack it in union after a difficult couple of years at the Reds. It will be fascinating to see how he fares, especially against South Africa’s kick-chase game.

Big man at flanker

Jones has not taken long to stamp his mark on the squad and he has already brought in players that he thinks will be quality operators at Test level. Brumbies back five forward Tom Hooper has not played a lot of rugby and is one of those left-field inclusions, but he is exactly that hybrid forward the head coach looks for.

Ever since England were dismantled in the World Cup final, the 63-year-old has liked a big man at flanker and Hooper is exactly that. He is a useful lineout option but also a real physical presence, weighing over 19st, and will be able to take on the South Africans in the tighter exchanges.

All-out attack

Contrary to what he did while in charge of England, Jones has gone for the bold approach when it comes to selecting his backline. Instead of picking those who are good under the high ball or players that are renowned for their defensive qualities, the Wallabies are evidently looking to attack the Springboks.

We doubt that Vunivalu or Tom Wright would have been selected if they were English, given their defensive deficiencies and worries under the high ball, but they can certainly add plenty with ball in hand. Allied that with Quade Cooper at fly-half and the playmaking qualities of Reece Hodge and this looks a very different approach from the head coach.

Carter Gordon on the bench

Cooper and Hodge, who can also play at fly-half, are in the squad, but the Melbourne Rebels youngster has impressed enough to be selected in the 23. Gordon is an exciting talent and will be fun to watch if he gets his opportunity, either in Pretoria or further down the line in the Rugby Championship.

The 22-year-old loves taking the ball to the line and challenging defences. With his pace and balance, he can take it on himself or send others through gaps with his brilliant short and long passing game.

Losers

Tough on Mark Nawaqanitawase

The 22-year-old was one of the finds of 2022, starring towards the end of Dave Rennie’s tenure, but he misses out to Vunivalu which, on form, is incredibly harsh. Nawaqanitawase has that X-factor with ball in hand but doesn’t have the foibles which has plagued Vunivalu’s game.

If the Reds man fails to impress then he could well come into contention for game two but, even so, it still feels tough on Nawaqanitawase that he misses out on this encounter.

Taniela Tupou’s fitness

The tighthead has not played all year after rupturing his Achilles tendon in November and he will have to wait a little longer having not made the 23 for this game. Despite being named in the wider training squad for the Rugby Championship, Tupou is evidently not quite ready to make his return.

It is concerning for Jones and the Wallabies as you feel they need the 27-year-old to be at his best if they are to challenge for the Rugby World Cup title. Alongside Will Skelton and Rob Valetini he provides real ballast in the carry, which will be crucial against the best teams in the world.

Jed Holloway out in the cold

Having become a key player under Rennie, the versatile forward may have expected to have been in the 23, but Jones has chosen youngster Hooper ahead of him. Holloway is adaptable, like his compatriot, and is able to play either at lock or in the back-row, but the head coach sees real potential in the 22-year-old.

Holloway is therefore the player to pay the price for the emergence of Hooper and he will have to battle hard to get back involved. They do similar jobs but the youngster is slightly taller and heavier, giving him a physical and athletic edge over the 30-year-old.

Lalakai Foketi omitted with Samu Kerevi available

There were slight concerns over Kerevi’s fitness after he picked up a hamstring strain while playing for the Barbarians in May, but he has recovered to take his place on the bench. However, like Tupou, he is making his way back after a long-term injury and that is probably why he is not starting at inside centre. With Hodge also a favourite of Jones, Foketi is the unfortunate one to miss out and may struggle to get back involved in the 23 ahead of the World Cup.

READ MORE: Eddie Jones names four debutants in his first Wallabies team to face the Springboks

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