As Joe Schmidt confirms and gets ready to name his match-23 to tackle the Springboks at Ellis Park, a former Wallaby playmaker has encouraged him to take a tactical leaf out of Rassie Erasmus’ playbook.
Matt To’omua wants Schmidt to rest some key players, even if it means going under-strength against the Boks on Saturday.
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Australia arrived in Johannesburg as massive underdogs, with bookmakers not giving them much chance of toppling the defending champions. The Wallabies have not won at the fortress since 1963, with only one other highveld victory in 2010.
With the Wallabies coming off the back of a bruising British & Irish Lions series, To’omua believes Schmidt should look beyond sentiment and target winnable Tests later in the tournament.
“Australia’s tendency is to pick the best team every game, [but] if you’re getting an inkling that the Saffas are going to change it up, do you almost rest a couple of guys who have niggles and then go hard at the second Test?” To’omua said on The Roar Rugby podcast.
“It seems against our psyche of the underdog, but maybe it’s in our interest.”
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It’s a ploy Erasmus has used to great effect, often sending second-string teams to face Australia while preparing his top side for the All Blacks. In 2018, the Bok coach split his squad, narrowly losing to the Wallabies in Brisbane before stunning New Zealand in Wellington a week later. France’s Fabien Galthié has employed similar rotation to stress-test squad depth.
To’omua warned of the toll that altitude, jet lag and a relentless schedule could take.
“You’ve had the Lions, then the hardest travelling tour in the game. Something has to give,” he said.
“You just wonder if you expend too much energy and then wonder why we’re not firing shots back home.”
ALSO: Wallabies back O’Connor for Bok clash
While Schmidt is expected to stick with most of the XV that beat the Lions in Sydney, James O’Connor is set to replace the injured Tom Lynagh, and Rob Valetini may be held back another week to ensure full fitness for Cape Town.
“Players will always put their hand up,” To’omua added.
“But sometimes you’ve got to protect them from themselves.”
Photo: Paul Kane/Gallo Images
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