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Young All Blacks Zac Guildford and Wyatt Crockett are set to be the beneficiaries in Cardiff of a tumultuous Bledisloe Cup rugby aftermath, with two suspensions and an injury cloud over matchwinner Daniel Carter.
Winger Sitiveni Sivivatu and prop Tony Woodcock, with 99 Tests between them, were each handed one-match bans by Sanzar judicial officer Peter Hobbs after the All Blacks’ 32-19 win over the Wallabies at the National Stadium on Saturday.
Before a crowd of 44,449, the All Blacks swept the series 4-0 and made it seven wins in succession against the Wallabies.
Carter, meanwhile, was limping heavily corked calf muscle following the match, although he told reporters he was confident of facing Wales at Millennium Stadium early next Sunday (AEDT).
Sivivatu was cited by Australian citing commissioner Scott Nowland for a dangerous tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper in the 34th minute, for which he was yellow carded by referee Mark Lawrence, while Woodcock was charged for striking after Wallabies veteran George Smith’s face was left bloodied in the final minute.
It appeared the All Blacks felt they were lucky the bans were not longer, and assistant coach Steve Hansen had few complaints.
“We got a very fair hearing and we just have to accept the two penalties and move on. We certainly can’t complain about the hearing.”
Hansen represented the players and said each had excuses.
“It’s a bit tough saying it was ill-discipline. In Siti’s case it was just poor timing.
“Ashley-Cooper is very good in the air and he jumped up and forward, and Siti mucked it up from a timing point of view. I don’t think there was any intent.
“Woody’s just reacted to being cleaned out off the ball. He had his back to him and Smith’s just cleaned him out. I guess 99 per cent of the population would react in the same way.
“It’s cost him a week and he’ll have to learn to react a different way next time.”
The post-match developments have left Hawke’s Bay flyer Guildford, 20, eyeing a Test debut after he was not required off the bench in Tokyo, while Hansen said one-Test Canterbury prop Crockett would replace Woodcock.
“I was very impressed with Zac all week. He trained like a guy that’s been here forever,” Hansen said.
“The guys on the bench said he was jumping out of his skin to get on. He’s a pretty calm and cool kid so there’s a big possibility he could play.
“(Woodcock) is a big loss but Wyatt’s been with us all season as well and trained really well all year. ”
Woodcock’s absence will have Wales eyeing up the All Blacks’ scrum which was put under pressure by the Wallabies, with lock Tom Donnelly saying they were “beaten to the hit” too many times.
Hansen said there would be several changes for Wales but the selectors had no issues selecting any member of their 33-man squad.
“The tour’s about giving people opportunities so we know what they’re capable of, and there’s no midweek games so they’re going to have to be Test matches.”
Hansen said Carter, who kicked eight from eight for a personal haul of 22 points, was sore this morning and would be reassessed when they arrived in Cardiff.
He would have a quiet early part of the week on the training paddock.
There were no other major injury concerns, although most players were feeling the effects of a torrid, physical test which featured several scuffles.
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.