Wallabies v Springboks: Schmit to avoid mass changes despite being hammered by South Africa

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has indicated he won’t make mass changes to the team that was hammered by South Africa in Brisbane.

BRISBANE, AUSTRALIA - AUGUST 09: Josh Nasser and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto during a Wallabies captain's run at Suncorp Stadium on August 09, 2024 in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has indicated he won’t make mass changes to the team that was hammered by South Africa in Brisbane, saying they need to stick to a long-term plan.

While visibly disappointed with his team’s performance in their 33-7 defeat, identifying the Wallabies’ lack of physicality and poor kicking game, Schmidt is unlikely to drop a host of underperforming stars.

“I think there’s guys that will improve what they’re delivering, maybe it won’t be improved in time for next Saturday but we do have to have a bit of a long term plan,” Schmidt said.

Kurt-Lee Arendse celebrates his try with Springboks teammates. Picture: Getty Images

“We have got a much younger side than the South Africans. We got a lot less caps, a lot less experience, and therefore I believe if we chop and change too much, then it’s very hard to grow the cohesion.

“Because when you go out into a game like that, you are very interdependent, you’re going to have to make sure everyone knows their role, has been built ready to deliver their role.

“I thought Carlo Tizzano did really well today, really well. But it would’ve been nice to have Fraser McReight as well.

“And Luke Reimer coming off the bench. There’s guys that will get better with opportunity, two guys making their Test debut against the likes of Siya Kolisi, Kwagga Smith and Pieter-Steph du Toit.

“I am a realist. I know you don’t suddenly match up, and front up and better those guys. But you’ve got to better yourself for next week.”

Eben Etzebeth wins the lineout ball for the Springboks during The Rugby Championship win against Australia. Picture: Getty Images

Asked how he could ensure the Wallabies would muscle up to the big Boks pack next week in Perth, Schmidt replied: “I don’t think you can ever guarantee anything, I think South Africa will maybe change up a few personnel and change up a few things they did, you’re always trying to adjust.

“But I do think that there is an opportunity for us to get back into some of those contests. From the scrum to the aerial contest where we didn’t get into the contest, and if you don’t get into those contest areas it’s very hard to play without the ball against a team as powerful and as fleet of foot and skillful as South Africa.

“Most of the collision areas, all of the collision areas really, we struggled.

“From the breakdown, they got some early traction through their scrum penalties. I felt we defended the lineout maul reasonably well in the first half and kept them off our line.

“The one they did get, with the aerial transfer, I felt we probably should have done better. We kind of anticipated it, but didn’t deliver the defence we were looking to deliver.

“It was hard to get oxygen in that first half.

“It was very tough work getting out of our half and when we did, we kicked the ball away a couple of times without kicking it accurately.

“We didn’t get into the aerial contest, and then obviously the contest at the breakdown, we just weren’t effective there.”

Rob Valetini throws a pass during the loss to the Springboks. Picture: Getty Images

South African coach Rassie Erasmus was delighted his lineout trick play worked, delivering the team’s first try to captain Siya Kolisi following a double jump and pass from Ben-Jason Dixon to Eben Etzebeth before the rolling maul powered over the line.

“It’s nice, old school you used to have tap penalties with guys hiding the ball under their jerseys and stuff like that,” Erasmus said.

“It’s nice when some of the old school moves come off, we did that way back when I was playing and we didn’t have a lineout option and the one guy had to throw to me, and that’s how we could set up mauls and we just tried it and it works – then Siya buggered up the next one.

“We’re lucky when something like that comes up and works out.

South Africa skipper Siya Kolisi scores a try. Picture: Getty Images

Kolisi praised the innovation of Erasmus.

“We love having him as players because he’s played the game, he’s always honest with us and direct, always keeps us in check because we become superstars and you feel good about yourself and he always tells us from his time when he played, he keeps us humble and reminds us who we play for,” Kolisi said.

“And we love the way he thinks, he doesn’t think how everybody thinks, he’s always looking for other ways to make our team better. And our group, we are always willing to try something. We don’t say, ‘That’s not going to work’.

“Some players come with plans and coach is like, ‘OK, let’s try it’. That’s really what we enjoy about the team, no egos at all.”

Originally published as Wallabies v Springboks: Schmit to avoid mass changes despite being hammered by South Africa