The three changes Eddie Jones needs to make to his Wallabies XV

Not long after the full-time siren had sounded at Loftus Versfield in Pretoria last weekend, Wallabies coach Eddie Jones attempted to explain Australia’s staggering 43-12 loss to rivals South Africa.

Australia shot out of the blocks with an impressive start. World-class winger Marika Koroibete opened the scoring in just the eighth minute after a rapid burst down the left edge.

But the Springboks struck back shortly after – and continued to assert their dominance throughout practically the entirety of the contest.

Jones is usually quite charismatic and outgoing, but the legendary coach stared into nothingness with a stunned look on his face as he began to reflect on the disastrous defeat post-game.

The shocking result was still quite raw, and the feelings of annoyance and frustration continued to sink in as Jones spoke with former Australian international Morgan Turinui on Stan Sport.

“We just got beaten to the punch… there weren’t too many positives today,” the 63-year-old said.

“But we went out there to play with a bit of pace and we were able to do that for 20 minutes but we weren’t able to convert any of the pressure we put on the Springboks into points.

“The Springboks came back and every time they got an opportunity, they converted into points.”

Nobody likes to lose, especially Eddie Jones.

Ushering in a new era with the Wallabies, the 31-point defeat was far from an idyllic start.

But don’t poke the bear.

In a response to a question from a local journalist – which, as the Wallabies coach said, was about the Springboks fielding a “B-team” – Jones didn’t hold back.

“South Africans are good at winning. You don’t have to be a smart arse mate,” Jones said.

“We were well and truly beaten today by a Springboks side that old mate is calling the B-team, right? I never knew there was a Springboks side that was called the B-team.”

Jones and the Wallabies were in the headlines for all the wrong reasons following their Rugby Championship opener in Pretoria.

But a week is a long time in Test rugby.

As cliché as that sounds, the Wallabies can make a statement in their first home Test of the year when they take on Michael Cheika’s Pumas in Sydney.

But they’ll need to make changes, of course they will.

Running through last weekend’s starting side from No. 1 to 15, there are three changes that the Wallabies need to make.

Now the Wallabies’ forwards weren’t great last weekend. Despite what my admittedly generous player ratings suggested, they were outmuscled by a physical pack.

Just to reiterate the point of this piece, yes there are a number of changes that Jones could make to the team, but these three in particular seem quite pressing.

First, blindside flanker Tom Hooper wasn’t great on debut. The 22-year-old wasn’t just missing tackles, he was failing to even attempt some.

Boks flyhalf Manie Libbok ran straight past Tom Hooper around the 30-minute mark and made a devastating burst down the field, and the No. 6 was hooked shortly after.

Hooper was replaced by veteran Pete Samu. Samu hasn’t been given the chance that he deserves to impress in the starting side at Test level.

Samu, who is a Super Rugby champion following a decorated stint with the Crusaders, has only started one Test match at blindside flanker for the Wallabies.

But this is a player who, time and time again, has starred in that very same role for Australian powerhouse the Brumbies.

Hooper has to miss out this week, certainly from the starting side, so it seems quite logical that Samu receives a promotion from the bench and into the starting side.

Alongside Rob Valetini in the backrow, Samu could help the Wallabies form a formidable back row – with co-captain Michael Hooper also deserving of a place, although Fraser McReight isn’t far off.

Second – and this seems almost too obvious – Samu Kerevi deserves a run at inside centre.

Reece Hodge just isn’t an international midfielder, although can certainly play a role in the squad – and potentially do the Wallabies jersey justice if called upon off the bench.

Kerevi was once considered to be the best No. 12 in world rugby, but a significant stint on the sidelines may have rendered that an outdated opinion.

It won’t take long to remind the rugby world, however.

But Kerevi is good, very good. This almost doesn’t require an explanation. It’s just that obvious.

The former Reds captain is clearly match-fit if Jones as selected him on the bench last weekend, but Kerevi’s talents were wasted by the time he was subbed on against the Boks.

The Test was already lost.

Kerevi can help the Wallabies assert their dominance over Los Pumas this weekend with some threatening runs with the ball, and the centre can also create space out wide by doing so.

This just makes too much sense. Kerevi and Len Ikitau at the midfield pairing of the future for the Wallabies, so Eddie, let’s not waste another second.

Finally, Eddie Jones’ experiment with former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu might be over before it really began.

Vunivalu turned to the Reds speedster last weekend, but Vunivalu gave away three tries on his wing – and was also yellow carded and conceded a penalty try later on.

The winger looked ineffective, and at times lost.

But if the Wallabies learnt anything during last year’s end-of-season tour it’s that rising star Mark Nawaqanitawase has a bright future ahead of him.

Nawaqanitawase was impressive on debut against Italy in Florence, but announced himself to the rugby world with two tries against Wales in Cardiff.

Those two scores helped inspire the men in gold to a famous comeback win over Wayne Pivac’s side.

Nawaqanitawase has done it before, and can certainly be considered less of a gamble. Again, much like Kerevi, this selection makes too much sense.

But if you’ve read this far, maybe you agree with what I’ve had to say.

But one player that I won’t throw into the deep end, yet, is playmaker Quade Cooper. Cooper wasn’t great against the Boks – not many players were – but the flyhalf deserves another chance.

Redemption awaits.

Pete Samu and Samu Kerevi can help the Wallabies assert themselves physically over Los Pumas, while Quade Cooper and Mark Nawaqanitawase can make the most of it.

Carter Gordon will continue to rival Cooper for that No. 10 jersey though, with the rising star impressive on debut off the bench last weekend. But the playmaker needs to earn his stripes off the bench before a veteran player is replaced.

The Wallabies are better than their performance against the Boks, and these selections will help them show that.