Carlo Tizzano set for Wallabies debut against South Africa
Wallabies say new law variations announced for The Rugby Championship will play right into their hands as they hand debut to Force back-rower.
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ROOKIE Carlo Tizzano is set to be thrust into the toughest arena in Test rugby, taking on the world champion Springboks pack in his international debut.
The Western Force backrower is tipped to be named in the Wallabies No. 7 jersey for Saturday’s clash against the South Africans in Brisbane, following the sidelining of Fraser McReight due to injury.
Tizzano, a 24-year-old Perth product, is understood to have pipped Tom Hooper and Luke Reimer for the key open side flanker role.
Ben Donaldson is set to retain the crucial five-eighth role ahead of Noah Lolesio.
Donaldson, who had a mixed performance in the previous Test against Georgia, is tipped to partner Jake Gordon in the halves at Suncorp Stadium.
And it’s understood that the Wallabies pack has suffered a blow with powerful prop Taniela Tupou to miss the Test match due to a death in his family.
Meanwhile, the start of The Rugby Championship will feature law variations designed to speed the game up, which the Wallabies say will play “right into our hands” against the big Boks pack.
SANZAAR announced that the 20-minute red card, in use during the Super Rugby Pacific season and in the last game against Georgia when Filipo Daugunu was red-carded, will be in place throughout the tournament.
Unless a player has committed a blatantly dangerous red-card offence, they will be able to be replaced by another player after 20 minutes of being sent off.
Goal-kickers will also be given less time to take conversions and penalty kicks, reduced from 90 seconds to 60 seconds.
Scrums and lineouts must be set 30 seconds from when the referee or assistant mark them.
And there will be added protection for halfbacks, with any player involved in the ruck unable to reach out to grab the player clearing the ruck.
Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto said a faster game suits Australia.
“We want the game to be entertaining and for that to happen, you’ve got to try and speed up the game in any ways that you can,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“It doesn’t change too much for us. We’ve got our systems and Joe [Schmidt] has a certain way that he wants us to play. I think it just plays right into our hands. It’s attacking footy and speed of ball is important for all teams, while it’s going to hurt on the fitness side of things.”
Salakaia-Loto vowed to match the physical intensity of the Boks, who have used their aggression and stifling defence to claim the past two World Cups.
“You’ve got to meet fire with fire and that’s the challenge for our pack this week,” Salakaia-Loto said.
“We’re here at home at Suncorp in front of a sellout, so there’s no better arena for it and it’s going to be an awesome challenge
“I know the boys are up for it and we don’t expect it to be easy. We know what’s in front of us and we know it’s going to be hard, so we’ve come to terms with that and we know that world champs at Suncorp, it’s everything that you want to experience.”
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