After being an 11th-hour withdrawal in Dunedin, Wallabies lock Adam Coleman says he’s ready to go against the Springboks.
Coleman was pulled out of the team on the eve of the second Bledisloe Test with a shoulder injury, replaced in the starting team by Rory Arnold and opening the opportunity for 21-year-old Izack Rodda to make his Test debut.
Australia’s first-choice lock was confident when asked about his readiness for Saturday’s Test against South Africa.
“I should be fine,” he said.
“Had a little bit of a rib tickler and a bit of an AC joint sprain. I’m just going to try and get through the week of training and see how we go.”
The Wallabies’ task won’t be an easy one at nib Stadium, even putting aside the swirling Super Rugby uncertainty that remains, with the Springboks undefeated so far in 2017.
It’s a far cry from the dismal 2016 the South Africans had, where they managed just four wins from 12 Tests in a season that prompted a review of the team and its processes.
Coleman, who has led the lineout in recent times for the Wallabies, said the threat of South Africa in the set piece could not be overestimated, after their impressive outings against France and Argentina.
“I think their set piece is very strong,” he said.
“(Lock) Eben Etzebeth has been playing some very good footy and their backline, they're very strong ball runners and ball carriers.
“They've got a lot of threats in many aspects of their game and we've got to really make sure we're on top of our set piece and our starters to really make sure we give us the best platform we can to launch off.”
Wallabies outside back Dane Haylett-Petty said Australia needed to be wary of the Boks’ desire to smother their attack in tight.
“They’re a team with a lot of guys that attack the breakdown and will try and spoil our ball wherever they can and try and stifle our attack,” he said.
Haylett-Petty made his return for the Wallabies in that Dunedin Test, after battling a biceps injury, and said he would be better for the run.
“I felt probably fitter after all the running we’ve been doing but it was good to get back out there after missing the first one and looking forward to this week as well,” he said.
The Wallabies take on South Africa at nib Stadium on Saturday, kicking off at 6pm AWST, 8pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Network Ten, Win and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO. Buy tickets here.
