Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is backing Max Jorgensen to thrive in the heat of the battle when the whizkid is unleashed off the bench in Saturday night’s Rugby Championship clash with South Africa in Perth.
The Wallabies were thumped 33-7 by the Springboks in Brisbane last week, but the returns of two-time John Eales medallist Marika Koroibete and star prop Angus Bell are a huge boost for Australia.
Schmidt also signalled his intent by naming speedster Jorgensen on the bench for a highly-anticipated Test debut in Saturday’s match.
The 19-year-old rising NSW Waratahs star was taken to last year’s World Cup in France, only to break his leg at training.
Schmidt is confident Jorgensen will be able to handle anything South Africa throw at him.
“I just think in the modern game, it’s very hard to target someone illegally, obviously, because of the TMO and and the consequence of targeting someone illegally,” Schmidt said.
“They may try to put the ball on top of him, but he’s good in the air.
“My perception of him is that he’ll be keen for them to kick it to him so he can get his running game up and going.
“He’s one of our quicker players. He’s good on his feet.
“And for a young man who will be stepping into the Test arena against the world champions, he has a quiet confidence about him.
“I sense that he’s ready to go.”
Koroibete was surprisingly overlooked for selection last week.
Schmidt had used the Giteau Law to bring Japan-based Koroibete into the squad, but felt the star winger needed another week to get “up to speed”.
The Wallabies will be hoping Koroibete fires on all cylinders in Perth against a South Africa unit that has 10 changes to its starting line-up.
Koroibete replaces injured winger Filipo Daugunu (broken leg).
Bell, who underwent a reshaping of his foot earlier this year in a bid to address a worrying toe injury, represents a feel-good story of the week after being named in the starting side in his Wallabies return.
“I think starting him allows us to better control his minutes a little bit,” Schmidt said.
“He goes straight from the warm up, builds a rhythm and gets that confidence to go straight into the game, rather than bringing him off the bench, which can be a bit more complicated.”
Josh Nasser has been named for his first start at hooker, with skipper Allan Alaalatoa completing the front row.
With Jake Gordon out through injury, veteran halfback Nic White has been thrust into the starting line-up to combine with his former Brumbies halves partner Noah Lolesio for the seventh time at international level.
Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott and versatile Western Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson have been selected on the bench.
Prop James Slipper is poised to take a step closer to becoming the most-capped Wallaby of all time, named on the bench for what would be his 138th Test, leaving him just one short of George Gregan’s record of 139.
Queensland’s Seru Uru is in line for a Test debut, named on the bench as forward cover alongside Tom Hooper.
WALLABIES TEAM:
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, Josh Nasser, Angus Bell. Reserves: Billy Pollard, James Slipper, Zane Nonggorr, Tom Hooper, Seru Uru, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Max Jorgensen
