After a great first couple of days of weather, the changeable Auckland weather has finally decided to pack it in for the Wallabies crucial first encounter at the Rugby World Cup 2011.
This will be a tough encounter for a Wallabies side that struggled against the Italians on the end of year tour last year.
The difference in that game was the ever steady goal kicking of Berrick Barnes, but the overall game play of the Wallabies looked rushed and off.
These conditions will definitely test the Wallabies ability to play a more direct style of rugby, and we can expect a lot of carries from the relatively new centre pairing of Pat McCabe and Anthony Faingaa.
You would have to expect the Italians to play to their strengths in this game and for that reason, I think we can reasonably expect a lot of territorial kicking from the Italians.
The interesting theme of the Rugby World Cup so far has been the amount of kicking, the Argentina v England game was definitely not the advertisement for free flowing rugby which southern hemisphere fans have become accustomed to over the course of the Tri-Nations.
In these wet conditions, the strength of the Wallabies pack in the scrum time will definitely be tested, there will be plenty of knock ons and therefore plenty of opportunity for Castrogiovanni and co to live up to the pre-match hype.
One can’t help but think however, if the Wallabies are capable of matching it with the All Blacks pack – there shouldn’t be too much of a problem in this instance. But as is often the case at scrum time, referee interpretation will undoubtedly prove crucial.
Whether or not the collective efforts of Alexander, Moore and Kepu have helped to remove the stigma of poor scrummaging from referees minds (undoubtedly arising out of the poor performance in Cardiff in last years spring tour) we will have to see.
But, as I finish this article I look out my Auckland apartment window and see that it is clearing up somewhat, but when you think of Auckland, you can’t help but think of that great Kiwi (Aussie) classic “Four seasons in one day”.
Lets hope the Wallabies bring their A-game and make a bit of a statement of intent in this game (and manage to win three on the trot).
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.
In 2007 he was inducted into the Australian Rugby Hall of Fame and in 2013 the IRB Hall of Fame, acknowledging his reputation as one of Australia’s greatest flyhalves.
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