Coach Les Kiss admits the Wallabies will need to step up a level when they face the Springboks in Perth.
Seventh-ranked Australia are unbeaten in four Tests under Kiss, with two wins against Japan followed by a win and a draw against Argentina.
Having watched the Boks battle the All Blacks over four Tests in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, Kiss knows what awaits his team at the 61,00-capacity Optus Stadium on Sunday, 27 September.
“The intensity and the physicality of the matches, we’re a little bit removed from that,” he said.
“Certainly, over the last four games, we’ve had some good, intense matches but we’re certainly stepping up another level when we come up against Springboks in a fortnight.
“We’re aware of that. We know we have to be better in certain areas, and we’re working hard to make sure we can improve in that.
“But, look, they’re in our backyard, so we’ll be up for the fight.”
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Kiss has included uncapped flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips in his squad after Carter Gordon fractured his leg against Argentina.
The 22-year-old was preferred despite experienced options James O’Connor, Bernard Foley and Noah Lolesio also being considered.
“We did our due diligence, that’s for sure, and it landed that Harry had earned this right, and he’s waiting on our doorstep,” Kiss said.
“These younger guys, we’re trying to make sure we get them upskilled, get them to understand how they can lead the game and drive it forward.
“And we know that we can always lean back into the experience if we need to.”
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Utility back Jordan Petaia has also been recalled three years after his last Wallabies squad involvement.
The 26-year-old failed to crack the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers before playing for French club Perpignan and recently joining Japan’s Urayasu D-Rocks.
“We just wanted to have a touch base with him,” said Kiss. “There’s a lot of good back three players in our country at the moment that are playing here.
“Jordy being a bit further away in France recently, we just felt it was an opportunity to bring him in and have a good look at him.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Wallabies ‘up for the fight’ with Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach Les Kiss admits the Wallabies will need to step up a level when they face the Springboks in Perth.
The post Wallabies ‘up for the fight’ with Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
