Rugby Championship News Round Up
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Huge battle up front and a fast finish? Dissecting of the Springboks and Wallabies line ups
The Springboks and Wallabies face off at Ellis Park for the first time in almost 11 years with the Wallabies going in search of their first win at the iconic stadium since 1963.
Saturday's test will be both sides first test match of the year in the build to the world cup and both head coaches have made some intriguing selections.
The Wallabies face a mammoth battle upfront at Ellis Park tomorrow #RSAvAUS https://t.co/E27r69m47V
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 19, 2019
"We have to play with the enthusiasm of the people" - Mario Ledesma
Opportunity knocks for World Cup bolters
With The Rugby Championship starting this weekend, we thought we would take a look at how the Southern Hemisphere teams have fared in the competition during a World Cup year.
The competition is a shortened one this year, so that means each side will only play each other once in a round-robin format.
Click Here to see how the teams have fared in the TRC during a World Cup year
Meet the rookie loosehead and Fijian powerhouse the Wallabies are unleashing on the Springboks
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika sprung a few surprises when naming his first Wallabies 23 of the year with James Slipper and Nic White returning to the test fold.
However, the two debutants he has included are just as interesting with Fijian born looseforward Isi Naisarani getting a start at number 8 and rookie Waratahs loosehead Harry Johnson-Holmes, who joined the squad late this week, being named on the bench.
Shaun Johnson has confirmed that Australia hasn't given up in their pursuit of Will Skelton
"There is ongoing discussions with a few players, we're not just talking about for World Cup," Johnson said.
"Will's not unlike some others - Australian players will be discussed often to see what's in the best interest of our Wallabies or pro teams.
"We're trying to pick anyone who we think can contribute to our program that commits to our program, that's what we'll pick."
The inform Bulls' loosehead, the new hotshot halfback and the hard-hitting Toulousain meet the new Springboks 👇 https://t.co/g6utmpxXGb
— Ultimate Rugby (@ultimaterugby) July 17, 2019
Steve Hansen gives an analysis on some of the selections.
Michael Cheika on his side to face the Springboks
Two debutants and a few returning faces for the first @qantaswallabies team of 2019. #RSAvAUS
— RUGBYcomau (@rugbycomau) July 18, 2019
READ: https://t.co/mHTSFSnNyi pic.twitter.com/r1G7xN2u9l
Brad Thorn explains why James O'Connor's situation is different from Slipper and Karmichael Hunt
View this post on InstagramCelebrating #MandelaDay across the world today and the power of sporting unity 🏉🏆
