NSW’s settled and confident Waratahs will be kept guessing until match eve with cagey Queensland coach Ewen McKenzie delaying his team announcement for Saturday night’s Super Rugby grudge match.
While Waratahs coach Chris Hickey Wednesday named an unchanged 22 from that which whitewashed Melbourne Rebels 43-0 in their season-opener, McKenzie said he’d wait an extra two days before revealing his side.
The former NSW coach is determined to end his old side’s six-year stranglehold on the Bob Templeton Cup and the cloak-and-dagger tactics highlights his intent.
Most intrigue surrounds the Reds forward pack with skipper James Horwill a possibility to move back to his Test position in the second-row at ANZ Stadium and ex-Waratahs flanker Beau Robinson in the mix for a mouth-watering starting battle against Phil Waugh.
Unlike the Waratahs, McKenzie indicated some subtle changes may be made to the side which got out jail 21-20 against the Western Force on Sunday.
“I’ve always been a tinkerer,” he admitted Wednesday. “I’m certainly looking at it.
“A short turnaround negates changing things dramatically but we’ll definitely look at the best combination.”
Under SANZAR competition rules, coaches don’t need to reveal their sides until 24 hours before kickoff but they are traditionally announced at least two days before.
McKenzie denied he was deliberately playing his cards close to his chest, arguing he wanted to give second-string players the opportunity to play their way into his 22.
Queensland’s Academy team, including rising back-rower Liam Gill, meet Samoa at Ballymore on Wednesday night.
“To be fair to the squad we want to make sure we have a look to see how those guys are going,” he said.
“Guys that played last week against Fiji played quite well so we want to see what the form line is like.
“We’ll then make some decisions and then we’ll see how people pull up and make a call.”
While one of six in the contest for the contentious No.7 jersey, Gill is unlikely to leapfrog both Robinson and incumbent Ed Quirk.
Quirk was solid without making a major impact against the Force’s outstanding back-row at Suncorp Stadium and it would be unsurprising for McKenzie to pit the uncontracted Robinson against his old open-side mentor Waugh.
“That would be interesting from the emotional side of it,” the coach said.
“We’ll make the right decision based on tactics and strategy, not on emotion.
“(Robinson) has done a good job.
“(But) Phil Waugh is an old campaigner. He’s been around and seen everyone. Nothing bothers Phil.”
Waugh won’t be joined in the NSW back-row by powerhouse No.8 Wycliff Palu, who scored last year’s match-winning try in the last minute, due to injury while Wallabies prop Benn Robinson must again bide his time on the bench behind Sekope Kepu.
“There are still things to work on from the Melbourne game, but everyone who took the field deserves the opportunity to maintain their place in the side,” said Hickey.
“Last year was a memorable Templeton Cup clash and I don’t think this year will be any different.”
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