The Wallabies’ social media team this week posted a clip asking players to use one word to describe Suncorp Stadium. “Cauldron”, “fire”, and “intimidating” all got a run, but “fortress” was comfortably the most popular, ahead of “home”.
As a snapshot, it said plenty about the confidence the Wallabies draw from playing at Suncorp Stadium, and later on the same day, that confidence grew even more with news the Brisbane venue was now sold out for their clash with the Springboks on Saturday afternoon.
As their most successful venue in Australia – where they’ve won 75 per cent of games – the Wallabies consider Suncorp Stadium a 16th man.
Which is just as well, because they may need an extra player or two if they’re any hope of beating the world champion Springboks.
And as Joe Schmidt’s side were scratching their way to wins over Wales and Georgia last month, the Boks drew 1-1 in an intense series with Ireland, which amounted to an unsanctioned world title defence.
South Africa are experienced and in form, and unlike a year ago when they fielded a second-string team (to preserve their stars for a trip to New Zealand) and still pumped the Wallabies in Pretoria, coach Rassie Eramus is sending out his big guns in Brisbane.
In a team imperiously named by Erasmus on Tuesday – 48 hours before the deadline – the Boks listed nine of the same starting XV from the Rugby World Cup final, and another three on the bench.
