Wallabies captain James Slipper believes their tough trip to Argentina will help galvanise the squad as they prepare to take on the Springboks at Adelaide Oval.
The side have enjoyed a fairly trouble-free build-up to the Test, welcoming back a host of stars, including Allan Alaalatoa, Andrew Kellaway and Hunter Paisami.
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It’s a stark change from the past two Tests, forced to change the side after late withdrawals, headlined by Michael Hooper stepping away from the game due to personal reasons.
They enter the non-traditional Rugby state of South Australia with a positive mindset, out to continue their recent run of success against the world champions on home soil.
"That Argentinian tour was one of the toughest I've been on. We had plenty of blokes drop out of the team after it was named so there was a fair bit of adversity there but from adversity, you grow stronger and that's where I've pushed the team,” Slipper told reporters in Adelaide.
“We get challenged every day, it’s about turning up and trying to get better.
"In terms of this preparation, it's been great. We’ve worked hard and we go into the game with confidence, that’s all I can ask from the boys to make sure we do the jersey proud.”
Slipper backed the returning Noah Lolesio to come out strong after he was selected to start at flyhalf.
The young playmaker was overlooked for Quade Cooper and James O’Connor in Argentina, with Slipper adamant the constant changes haven’t rattled his confidence.
“Being a flyhalf in a Rugby team is probably the most important position and Noah’s a young man, one thing I know playing with him at the Brumbies is he’s a confident bloke and the occasion won’t get to him,” Slipper believes.
“We just have to win the battle up front. We know South Africa are going to come with a big set-piece focus, trying to really bash us up in the middle and they’ll kick a lot so it's about nullifying their kicking game and giving Noah some good ball.
“(Noah's) as chirpy as ever and that’s what you expect from him. He’s a great player to play with, he plays on the front foot really well and that managing of the game is something he’s improved a lot. Hopefully we can see a big game from him but we know we have to do the job around him."
Getting off to a strong start remains a priority for the side, constantly finding themselves chasing the game in 2022.
“Preparation is everything in a Test match and I think out of all five Tests we've played this year we've lost the first 25 minutes in each game so (the start of the game) has definitely been spoken about," Slipper added. "Hopefully we can put the Springboks under a bit of heat early.
"It comes down to creating opportunities and taking them. We’ve created a lot but probably haven’t had the polish to take them or haven't taken the points on offer, so for us at training there's been a big emphasis on taking those opportunities."
