‘We need to be better’: Wallabies skipper Allan Alaalatoa vows to fix scrum in wet Perth
Wallabies captain Allan Alaalatoa has promised that his side will fix the technical issues that plagued them in their massive loss to the Springboks, as they prepare for a wet test at Perth Stadium.
Wallabies
Don't miss out on the headlines from Wallabies. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Wallabies captain Allan Alaalatoa has vowed to fix the technical issues that plagued their scrum against South Africa last week, as the hosts prepare for a wet and wild return bout in Perth.
More than 30mm of rain is expected to fall in the west’s Optus Stadium on Saturday afternoon, making the task of the Wallabies’ scrum even tougher after they were driven back on multiple occasions in Brisbane.
While the Boks have completely revamped their starting front row, bringing in Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Australia needs rapid improvement from their own new formation of Alaalatoa, Josh Nasser and Angus Bell.
“For us as a front row it was more of a technique, we want to transfer the weight from behind and to do that you’ve got to be in the best shape possible,” Alaalatoa said.
“That’s an area we’ve spoken about, it was a tough learning for us in the set piece but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
As for the predicted wet conditions, the Wallabies will be screwing in their longest studs.
“It’s a bit soft underneath,” Alaalatoa said after the Wallabies’ final training session at Optus Stadium on Friday.
“I think that’s probably due to the weather that it’s had.
“We’ve spoken about that as a pack and as a team, just making sure that you have the right essentials with your boots, to make sure that you take every opportunity that counts.
“I don’t change anything. I wear the longest studs possible.
“So I think it’s more some of our outside backs will probably have to change some of their studs, but everyone’s across that.
“It hasn’t been the Perth weather that we all expected throughout the week.
“But we’ve been training in those conditions and making sure that we’re smart with where we want to play.”
Bell returns from a long term injury to play his first Test of the year.
“He’s a big body, we all know the talent that he is and the things that he’s done in this gold jersey,” Alaalatoa said.
“[The scrum] is a great challenge and it was a tough learning for us last weekend.
“We didn’t go out there and execute the plan that we wanted, and as a front row we’ve spoken about that.
“Technically we need to be better.”
Alaalatoa and the Wallabies come up against a Boks team with 10 changes from last week’s record-equalling win, and led by Salmaan Moerat, the first Muslim to captain South Africa.
But their depth has allowed them to stack their bench with a legion of World Cup winning stars including Malcolm Marx, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith and Handre Pollard.
“The challenge for us is to back it up and be as desperate as last week, if not more,” Moerat said.
“They will be absolutely desperate to rectify their campaign, as a forward pack alone and with their scrum coach Mike Cron, they certainly have a lot of pride in their scrum.
“We’re expecting a massive battle, but in saying that we’ve prepped really well. Guys are excited and ready to go.”
Alaalatoa said coach Joe Schmidt, who suffered his first loss in charge of Australia after a 3-0 start with wins over Wales and Georgia, remained the same after last week’s loss.
“For us as leaders, he was pretty hard after a win as well,” Alaalatoa said.
“We knew we weren’t where we needed to be early in the year and we kept bringing the focus back on us and nothing’s really changed on that.
“Instead, the outcome didn’t go our way and it was a tough learning that way.
“The coaching staff have driven the fact that brought all the attention back on us, and just making sure that we continue to grow in our game. It does create us opportunities and hopefully tomorrow we get points on the back of that.
“He hasn’t really changed too much after a win or a loss, but he’s always brought the threats back on us. We know that we’re not the finished product at the moment and we’re building.”
AUSTRALIA vs SOUTH AFRICA
Saturday, August 17, 5,45pm (AWST)
Optus Stadium, Perth
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Harry Wilson, Carlo Tizzano, Rob Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Angus Blyth, Allan Alaalatoa (captain), Josh Nasser, Angus Bell.
Bench: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen.
SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Aphelele Fassi, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Lukhanyo Am, Makazole Mapimpi, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Elrigh Louw, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Ruan Nortje, Salmaan Moerat, Thomas du Toit, Johan Grobbelaar, Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Bench: Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche, Vincent Koch, Eben Etzebeth, Kwagga Smith, Grant Williams, Manie Libbok, Handre Pollard.
Referee: Paul Williams (NZ).
More Coverage
Originally published as ‘We need to be better’: Wallabies skipper Allan Alaalatoa vows to fix scrum in wet Perth