Co-captain James Slipper declared himself “pretty confident” of overcoming a knee injury to lead the Wallabies into the fray against the Springboks on Sunday (AEST).
The prop suffered a “mishap” at training on Tuesday but was planning on playing provided he got through some running in a session on Thursday in South Africa.
Slipper is keen to pack down with Brumbies teammate Tom Hooper, who was named to make his Test debut at blindside flanker in the Rugby Championship opener.
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The raw boned 22-year-old is a genuine bolter but has the size and attitude deemed necessary to mix it with the battle hardened world champions in Pretoria.
“He throws his body into everything,” Slipper said.
“He just wants to be the best teammate he can possibly be for the group, so for us right now he’s the perfect fit. He’s worked really hard to be where he is and it’s really pleasing to see him in the team.”
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Wallabies coach Eddie Jones initially had a simple answer when asked why he picked Hooper – “basically he rips in mate” – before elaborating on the background.
“I went down to the Brumbies early in their season and I know a few of their coaches. I know Stevie (Larkham) pretty well and they were saying ‘keep an eye out for this young fella’,” Jones said.
“He had a late start because of injury and his first few games weren’t very impressive and I thought ‘does Stevie really know what he’s talking about here?’ But certainly, towards the end of the season, he was an absolute standout.”
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Jones was also confident that former NRL star Suliasi Vunivalu would handle the occasion of his first Test start.
“I’ve seen him develop some really good habits in Super Rugby and when he’s come in and trained with us for the last two or three weeks, every session he’s got a little bit better,” Jones said.
“He’s an exceptional player, strong in the air, big guy, got good pace. I’ve got no doubt he’s going to do a good job for us.”
And despite hoping that the Springboks would name a full strength side, Jones was nonplussed about their decision to send nearly a full team of top players to New Zealand instead.
“We’re really only worried about ourselves, mate. We’re focused very much on ourselves.
“We’re a new team, we’ve come together, we want to play our style of rugby and we know whatever team that that runs out at Pretoria on Saturday (local time) is going to play with the pride of South Africa behind them and we need to meet that challenge.”
SPRINGBOKS (15-1): Willie le Roux, Canan Moodie, Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Manie Libbok, Cobus Reinach, Duane Vermeulen (c), Pieter-Steph du Toit, Marco van Staden, Marvin Orie, Jean Kleyn, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Steven Kitshoff
Reserves: Joseph Dweba, Thomas du Toit, Vincent Koch, RG Snyman, Evan Roos, Deon Fourie, Grant Williams, Damian Willemse
WALLABIES (15-1): Tom Wright, Suliasi Vunivalu, Len Ikitau, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Quade Cooper, Nic White, Rob Valetini, Michael Hooper (co-c), Tom Hooper, Will Skelton, Nick Frost, Allan Alaalatoa, Dave Porecki, James Slipper (co-c)
Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Matt Gibbon, Zane Nonggorr, Richie Arnold, Pete Samu, Tate McDermott, Samu Kerevi, Carter Gordon
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