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‘Unbelievable speed’: Cheslin Kolbe braces for Wallabies’ ‘X-factor’
By Finn Morton
Two-time Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Cheslin Kolbe is ready to embrace the challenge that awaits on Saturday afternoon against Wallabies outside backs that have “unbelievable speed” and some “X-factor.”
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Head coach Joe Schmidt has stuck with what’s worked so far this year by naming the same starting wingers and fullback that starred in the two wins over Wales last month. Filipo Daugunu and Andrew Kellaway will man the edges with Tom Wright out the back.
It was a bit of a surprise to see that Marika Koroibete had been omitted from the 23 when the team was announced on Thursday. Koroibete is the only overseas-based player who has been picked in a Wallabies squad so far in the Schmidt era.
ACT Brumbies flyer and Paris Olympian Corey Toole was also overlooked after only returning to Australia from Europe last weekend, and NSW Waratahs utility Max Jorgensen also missed selection as Schmidt allows “fresh” players to settle in.
While the Wallabies team hadn’t been announced when Kolbe spoke with this writer in Brisbane on Wednesday evening, the Springboks were always going to have their work cut out for them regardless of who Schmidt selected.
“Just by the names you mentioned, it’s players with X-factor. They’re players with unbelievable speed and they can change the game around. That’s why they’ve been playing and being selected for Australia,” Kolbe said.
“For us, obviously whoever we come up against (we’ll need to) front up and try and play our best. At the end of the day, it’ll be what happens up front and whoever has that momentum that will have a good day on Saturday.
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“Always exciting to come up against good players and exciting players as outside backs of Australia. For us, myself, Kurt-Lee (Arendse) and Willie (le Roux) is also just to stay on task and not get lost with what they can do and bring.”
Fraser McReight and Taniela Tupou are two major omissions from the Wallabies’ team to play the Boks in this weekend’s Rugby Championship opener. McReight is unavailable through injury while Tupou will miss the Test for personal reasons.
The rest of the Wallabies team remains relatively settled with Schmidt going with the same halves pairing that started against Wales, a fairly new-look but promising front row, and the centre duo of Hunter Paisami and Len Ikitau that took on Georgia.
But the omission of Koroibete was a big talking point at the team announcement press conference on Thursday. The Panasonic Wild Knights flyer returned to the national setup last weekend but, as Schmidt explained, was not considered for this first Test.
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“Marika wasn’t quite ready. This week was about orientating him and getting him back up to speed. I think Marika will be available beyond this week but this week was a little bit too soon,” Schmidt told reporters.
“Marika and I had a chat at the start of the week. It’s a little bit the same with Corey Toole, Max Jorgensen, those guys who are fresh in this week – it’s a whole new language to learn. Just to get comfortable in the systems, it’s just to give them enough time really.
“(Marika has) fit in really well. He’s a character, Marika, around about the place in a really positive sense. He has a real sense of the game that allows him to get involved in the right moments. He works hard across the field.
“I’ve always thought coaching against him that he’s an absolute handful. He’s a guy that we have a lot of respect for.”
In this episode of Walk the Talk, Jim Hamilton chats with double World Cup winner Damian de Allende about all things Springbok rugby, including RWC2023 and the upcoming Ireland series. Watch now for free on RugbyPass TV
