Koroibete and Daugunu can bully the Boks if Joe Schmidt takes Wallabies selection gamble
Corey Toole, Luke Reimer, Carlo Tizzano and Seru Uru are all among newcomers to Schmidt’s Wallabies squad. But who he ultimately decides to be his starting wingers could bring an all new element to the team, writes JAMIE PANDARAM.
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JOE Schmidt has given himself the option of starting 10 forwards against the physical South African side, after selecting Marika Koroibete as his first overseas-based Wallaby.
Koroibete and fellow winger Filipo Daugunu can be used as battering rams off the wing, giving the Australians a powerful new element to their game.
The Fijian-born stars are not locked in as starters against the Springboks in Brisbane on August 10, but should be.
It would give the Wallabies two strong ballrunners who could act as extra forwards against a Boks pack that will look to bully and intimidate the home team.
And with their up-and-in rush defence, South Africa often force their rivals to play 10-man rugby.
Both Koroibete and Daugunu have shown they are fit and hardworking enough to recover kicks, and come searching for work in the middle of the field to create attacking threats.
It is an enticing prospect, and one that would give Australia the best chance of prising open a suffocating, World Cup-winning defence.
The Boks arrived in Brisbane on Thursday evening while Schmidt will gather his new squad of 36 there on Saturday.
Koroibete has come in for Darby Lancaster, who made his debut in the previous Test against Georgia but has been dropped.
Max Jorgensen has also made the squad, giving Schmidt another fullback option beyond Tom Wright and Andrew Kellaway.
And fresh off an Olympic campaign, Brumbies flyer Corey Toole has also been chosen as a wing option fresh off his Paris Olympics campaign.
With key Queensland forwards Fraser McReight and Liam Wright ruled out with injury, Schmidt has picked uncapped Luke Reimer, Carlo Tizzano and Seru Uru as replacement options.
Prop Angus Bell returns from injury to bolster the front row. As reported on Wednesday, Schmidt has resisted the urge to recall Will Skelton, who is likely to be picked for the coming games against Argentina.
“There was plenty of discussion among the coaches but we’re hopeful that the squad selected will embrace the challenge of playing South Africa over the next fortnight or so,” Schmidt said.
“We know there’s a lot of hard work to do ahead of those Test matches and we’re looking forward to getting back together as a group on Saturday and rolling up our sleeves.
“The players enjoyed the vocal support we received during the July Tests, and they will be looking to earn continued public support over the coming weeks.”
Wallabies squad for South African Tests (Wallaby number, first Australian rugby club)
Forwards (19)
Allan Alaalatoa (#896, West Harbour Juniors)
Angus Bell (#940, Hunters Hill Rugby Club)
Angus Blyth (#974, Casuarina Beach Rugby Club)
Matt Faessler (#969, USQ Saints)
Nick Frost (#953, Hornsby Lions)
Tom Hooper (#964, Bathurst Bulldogs)
Isaac Kailea (#975, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Josh Nasser (#979, Easts Rugby (Brisbane))
Zane Nonggorr (#966, Gold Coast Eagles)
Billy Pollard (#958, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
Luke Reimer (uncapped, Lindfield Junior Rugby Club)
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (#914, Randwick)
James Slipper (#843, Bond Pirates)
Carlo Tizzano (uncapped, University of Western Australia)
Taniela Tupou (#917, Brothers Rugby)
Seru Uru (uncapped, Wests Rugby Club)
Rob Valetini (#929, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Jeremy Williams (#973, Wahroonga Tigers)
Harry Wilson (#933, Gunnedah Red Devils)
Backs (17)
Filipo Daugunu (#931, Wests Rugby Club)
Ben Donaldson (#962, Clovelly Eagles)
Josh Flook (#972, Brothers Rugby)
Jake Gordon (#925, Canterbury Juniors)
Len Ikitau (#944, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Max Jorgensen (uncapped, Balmain Wolves)
Andrew Kellaway (#943, Hunters Hill Rugby Club)
Marika Koroibete (#913, Nasinu Secondary School, Fiji*)
Noah Lolesio (#934, Tuggeranong Vikings)
Tom Lynagh (#977, University of Queensland)
Tate McDermott (#936, Flinders Rugby Club)
Hunter Paisami (#932, Harlequin Junior Rugby Club)
Dylan Pietsch (#978, Leeton Phantoms)
Hamish Stewart (uncapped, Toowoomba Bears)
Corey Toole (uncapped, Wagga Waratahs)
Nic White (#875, Maitland Blacks)
Tom Wright (#939, Clovelly Eagles)
Unavailable for selection
Kurtley Beale
Langi Gleeson
Harry Johnson-Holmes
Bayley Kuenzle
Rob Leota
Lachlan Lonergan
Fraser McReight
David Porecki
Blake Schoupp
Liam Wright
The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v South Africa, 2:30pm AEST, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Wallabies v South Africa, 5:45pm AWST, Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth
Wallabies v Argentina, 8:00am AEST, Sunday September 1 at Estadio Uno, La Plata
Wallabies v Argentina, 5:00am AEST, Sunday September 8 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe
Wallabies v New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Wallabies v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington
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