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Rival coaches Graham Henry and Robbie Deans have begun their giant game of chess for rugby’s Holy Grail. The way they plan their selections and strategies will decide who wins the ultimate prize. First move: Henry has changed his mind on Sonny Bill Williams, Deans hasn’t on James O’Connor.
Last week Henry made it abundantly clear SBW was in for a rugged World Cup, his chances of playing regularly slim to nothing.
At the time I thought that was a dumb move, the big bloke can be a RWC ace in the hole for the All Blacks. But Henry was adamant the vastly experienced Ma’a Nonu was his first choice inside-centre,
Tomorrow night SBW will start at inside-centre in the Cup opener at Eden Park against Tonga, pushing Nonu to outside-centre.
Dumb has turned to dashing with Henry adding, “I want to give the backbone of the starting XV regular game time together.”
Operative word: regular. SBW now has the chance to cement his position at 12, and it’s obvious Nonu will have a picnic outside SBW with his uncanny ability to unload under pressure.
Henry has also given seven-Test full-back Israel Dagg a lifeline, selected him over 98-cap veteran Mils Muliaina, who has lost a lot of speed and form this season.
The casualty: regular outside-centre Conrad Smith, he’s not even on the bench, such is the depth in the All Black squad.
O’Connor remains a casualty in the Wallaby lineup. But there’s a big question mark over Deans’ decision to virtually extend the winger’s one-match suspension for missing the team announcement, and photo-shoot in Sydney, after a big night out.
The men-in-gold take on Italy on Sunday at Auckland’s North Harbour Stadium, with O’Connor starting from the bench, Adam Ashley-Cooper retaining his wing berth he won when O’Connor was suspended.
It’s timely to add that was Ashley-Coopers best game of the season by far against the All Blacks to secure the Tri-Nations trophy. But one game doesn’t make a season.
Robbie’s playing Russian roulette, a dangerous game.
The very talented O’Connor is a starting team must, and he is the first-choice goal-kicker. That responsibility will now rest with Quade Cooper – Kurtley Beale the alternative.
If there’s one section of the Wallabies that can cost the Cup, it’s the goal-kicking. O’Connor, Cooper, and Beale are no Dan Carter, Morne Steyn, or Jonny Wilkinson, three of the best sharp-shooters of all time.
So we await the start of 48 World Cup games with anticipation, hoping for an All Blacks-Wallaby finale on October 23.
The Wallabies have won two of their last three meetings, but experience will play a huge role in the tough six weeks journey.
Comparing the All Blacks and Wallabies:
* The All Blacks will have 668 caps on duty in their stating lineup against Tonga, the Wallabies 428 against Italy.
* The All Blacks front row boasts 155 caps, the Wallabies 94.
* The All Blacks average 28-years-of-age, the Wallabies 26, the youngest in the tournament.
* Brad Thorn and Ali Williams will play their 20th Test together tomorrow night, the Wallaby pairing of James Horwill and Dan Vickerman will be playing their second on Sunday.
* Richie McCaw will be captaining the All Blacks for the 62nd time, Horwill for the second.
* And Henry has settled on a 4/3 forwards/backs combination on the bench – Deans a 5/2.
The clincher?
Both the All Blacks and the Wallabies were unceremoniously bundled out in the quarters of the 2007 RWC by France and England respectively.
An exit way below their station in world rugby, so both have been hurting for four years.
There’s a long way to go, but this RWC promises to be the best yet.