Taniela Tupou

I think what we did see, um, which was unfortunate, is the Wallabies' depth just isn't there.

And, um, you know, they lost Taniela Tupou and, and Tom Hooper-

Mm

... um, back to their Europe, European clubs because, um, this fixture wasn't in an official World Rugby window, so, um, they didn't have rights to the players, and that was all, all due to the, the South Africa Greatest Rivalry Series that we're playing this at a, at a different time.

So the first time we've seen this window extending differently at this time of the year.

And [clears throat] yeah, you gotta look back and think around those discussions, well, did they adequately investigate or think ahead to what might occur and how that Wallabies team might look without Taniela Tupou, Tom Hooper, and Will Skelton potentially had he not been injured that Achilles earlier in the year, and think, "Well, hang on fellas, that bench that we might put out if we just canvas the playing options, the talent personnel that Australia has on offer, uh, in such a circumstance, that that bench could be as light on as it looked when that team sheet dropped on Thursday."

Yeah, e- exactly, and, and it's un- unfortunately there was a couple injuries not that long ago.

You know, you, you, you rule out a, a Charlie Keough, and then all of a sudden your explosive dynamic back row hope who's been in superb form all year is no longer there.

I don't believe so.

I, I, the team is much stronger if you've got Taniela Tupou, Tom Hooper coming off the bench.

There's no doubt about that.

What they're gonna have to do is get a good start and hold on, I believe, like they did against the Boks.

Bring that experience in.

And note that Tongan Thor isn't playing.

He's back in France.

Yeah, let's make my criteria clear.