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Today we find out what changes Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie will make to his side leading up to the second Bledisloe Cup Test on Saturday. Join The Roar for live updates in the lead up to the announcement set for 11:30am (AEST).
Last Saturday saw the Wallabies end a 17-match All Black winning streak, as the teams played out a 12-12 draw at ANZ Stadium.
The creatively uninspiring draw presented many positive points for Ewen McKenzie’s men, and the man at the helm will hope the smallest taste of success against their arch-rivals across the ditch in the opening match will fuel their hunger for a much larger prize: victory at Eden Park.
The All Blacks have won every Test at their fortress since 1986, when Alan Jones’ Wallabies regained the Bledisloe cup in front of the despairing Auckland crowd.
Hardly encouraging statistics, but maybe motivating ones.
The Wallabies will have their work cut out for them in Auckland this Saturday night, but the draw in Sydney will have buoyed their optimism. However, disappointment at falling agonisingly short of reaching the 18-match winning streak will have the All Blacks licking their wounds and eager to prove a point; New Zealand are number one, and for very good reason.
The shortage of ball-in-hand scoring on a cold, wet Sydney evening disappointed many viewers. Not surprisingly, a number of the players voiced their frustration at the tryless draw.
“When the full-time siren went and the game was over I think both sides just sort of looked at each other and said “is that it?’” remarked Wallabies winger Rob Horne. Cue comments about tie-breaking measures.
“I feel like there needs to be a result. 68,000 people turned up to see a result and they didn’t get to see that.
“Whatever it is, extra-time, golden point, a drop goal, kick-offs, whatever, I feel like there needs to be a result, because that’s what we’re in the business of, results.”
The result has prompted much speculation as to Ewen McKenzie’s team selection for the first Bledisloe Cup match, with a number of pundits claiming vindication for their criticism of Waratahs inside centre Kurtley Beale being selected at flyhalf.
However, it was Beale’s right foot, in conjunction with some dogged defending, that sealed the draw for the men in gold. McKenzie would be hard-pressed to ignore this goal-kicking effort, but is it time for Beale to move to inside centre where he was so electric in the Super Rugby season to make room for the measured, purposeful Foley at flyhalf? Or should Matt Toomua get the nod over his New South Wales neighbour?
Wallabies’ Team for Bledisloe 2:
1. James Slipper (vc – Queensland Reds)
2. Nathan Charles (Western Force)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
6. Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies)
7. Michael Hooper (c – NSW Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
9. Nic White (ACT Brumbies)
10. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
11. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc – NSW Waratahs)
14. Pat McCabe (ACT Brumbies)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)Reserves
16. James Hanson (Queensland Reds)
17. Pek Cowan (Western Force)
18. Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies)
19. Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs)
20. Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)
21. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
22. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
23. Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies)24th man – Ben McCalman (Western Force)
Join The Roar from 11:00am AEST for live updates and commentary on the Wallabies’ team announcement.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.