Carlo Tizzano has been backed to get under the skin of the Springboks when he makes his Wallabies debut in the Rugby Championship opener in Brisbane.
Called up after injuries to Fraser McReight and Liam Wright, Tizzano will make a starting Test debut against the two-time defending world champions.
Tizzano started his career at the Waratahs in 2020, where he went toe-to-toe with former Wallabies captain Michael Hooper for a starting role.
After a short stint in England with Championship side Ealing Trailfinders, Tizzano returned to Australia in 2022 and joined the Western Force and impressed with his workrate and hard hits in the 2024 Super Rugby season.
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Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt isn’t expecting Tizzano to replicate McReight – arguably the Wallabies’ best player in the series against Wales – but said there are similarities between the two.
“I’m not sure that you can ever get like for like,” Schmidt said. “We just felt that Carlo would suit the combination that we picked in the back row and in the second row.
“He’s such a good young man and we’re really excited about watching him get underway in 48 hours time.
“His energy is relatively positive, more than abrasive but he fights for everything Carlo and that’s what first caught our eye.
“He’s quite a dynamic competitor around the breakdown and I think in the context of losing Fraser, we needed someone who could bring.”
Wallabies hooker Josh Nasser, who played U20 international rugby with Tizzano, said the flanker will be champing at the bit to get stuck into an experienced Springbok side.
“Carlo backs himself to the hilt,” Nasser said. “He’ll be confident and excited and ready to rip in. I wouldn’t say he’ll be too flustered with nerves.
“I played with Carlo through the 20s set up and played against him a few times. There’s a few screws loose with old Carlo. He’s 100 per cent at training and 100 per cent on the field, so he’ll be a big asset for us.”
Photo: Matt Roberts/Getty Images for ARU
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