The Wallabies are putting the blinkers on about who will wear the vacant All Blacks No.10 jersey, saying they are only focused on improving their own game.
Injury-hit New Zealand will field their fourth-string five-eighth in Saturday’s Wellington Test, where they can wrap up the Bledisloe Cup after a convincing game one victory.
Chiefs playmaker Colin Slade is likely to get the nod following the injury-enforced absence of Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett.
Wallabies inside centre Christian Lealiifano believed the All Blacks wouldn’t have any problems adapting to Slade or Crusaders rookie Tom Taylor.
“Anyone they’ve produced so far has done a fantastic job so I’m sure the next replacement will be equally as good.
“I think they’re talking Colin Slade, guys who have been around the mix before so they will find combinations pretty quick because they’ve got a lot of experience there.”
For that reason he said his team was more concerned about improving on their 47-29 loss in the opening Test in Sydney.
The Wallabies felt confident that after spending only one week working on combinations under new coach Ewen McKenzie that would happen.
“We’ve got to try not to worry too much about their changes, we’ve got to look back at our game and try to improve and minimise our mistakes,” Lealiifano said.
“We need to be a bit more clinical about what we do.
“We scored 29 points but we left a bit out there as well.”
The Australians are vowing to cut down crucial errors which cruelled winger Israel Folau’s involvement.
The exciting back was invisible in the first half, managing just four runs for 35 metres for the game.
Lealiifano said turnovers – through errors as well as pressure from the All Blacks defence – meant the Wallabies weren’t able to build pressure and fully execute their attacking game plan.
“He’s a key player in our side that we look to try to get the ball to and unfortunately we didn’t do that.
“We’re going to try and play a bit more expansive style and see if we can get him as many touches as he can.”
Meanwhile, injury-prone Wallabies backrower Hugh McMeniman won’t fly to Wellington and instead undergo a shoulder reconstruction.
The 29-year-old backrower suffered the injury during the Super Rugby season and on the advice of Wallabies medical staff will now have the surgery.
Playing his last Test in 2008, McMeniman made his return to the Wallabies fold at blindside flanker in Sydney.
The Australians won’t bring another player into the squad, with his Western Force teammate Scott Fardy most likely to go into the starting side.
atlas
Guest
Taylor starts, Slade on bench All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Julian Savea, Tom Taylor, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (capt), Steven Luatua, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Colin Slade, Charles Piutau. Tony Woodcock to become the All Blacks' fourth test centurion, behind skipper Richie McCaw (117), Keven Mealamu (105) and Mils Muliaina (100).
richard
Guest
Why do Aussie fans hold to this view that their players don't play with pride or passion? Frankly,it's tripe.The WBs are losing because they aren't as good as the ABs across the board.Pride and passion has sweet FA to do with it!
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Whoever the AB's slot in will do the job, Barrett looks a good player.
soapit
Guest
dont stress dasher, slade will only get a game or two till one of the others come back. plus i dont think they'll have the luxury of nurturing someone on sat. slade will have to step up. hows things anywa?
moaman
Guest
" We’re going to try and play a bit more expansive style and see if we can get him as many touches as he can. " About the only interesting thing that came out of that Press thingymeejig.
Justin3
Guest
Clearly you have trouble reading Dave, the only side he talked up was the ABs. When will petty Kiwis understand what occurs at a press conference???
WQ
Guest
Not just the supporters, Quade Cooper called it the Yellow Jersey!
expatwarrior
Guest
I'm worried cause I don't rate Slade. Unfortunate for him he got injured at the RWC but fortunate for AB fans cause we got a glimpse of Cruden's potential after his average first outing. Sounds horrible yes but it is truth. I'm hoping he proves me wrong and puts in a second best first five performance, because for me I can't split Carter and Cruden for first.
The OG AlBo
Roar Guru
I still remember when we used to talk about the 'player factory' that was the Sheffield Shield and the seemingly unending depth of Australian cricket... ...I'm banking (optimistically I know) on a similar fate perhaps befalling NZ rugby. What me worry?
Dasher
Roar Guru
I'm worried! What this means is they can nurture yet another player up to high international standard while playing a struggling (but strongish) Wallabies team. All amounts to greater NZ depth and longer NZ dominance. Oh brother.
Dave
Guest
Lealiifano talking the wallabies up what he should remember he has played four tests won one lost three and has been part of two heavy losses of which he looked ordinary in both and average at best in the other two. It's a sad state of affairs if the ARU needs Lealiifano to be a spokesman he, JOC, IF, and Toomoa under Mackenzie will not change the wallabies fortunes.
patonga
Guest
who cares who the All blacks pick at fly half ???? they could give the black jersey to anyone and they would go out and play with pride and passion. Not like the Wallabies so much for having a Gold jersey,,, iIthink they should try another colour to try and confuse the opposition. Problem is the mighty gold jersey looks very very Yellow to most Australia supporters,
Kebab
Guest
Still better than our 10s.
WQ
Guest
Does anybody want to put the 10 Jersey on for the All Blacks?? Seems like a guarantied injury request to me!
crusader fan
Guest
Slade is a Red and Black born and bred
Hopperdoggy
Guest
Well that answers the 6 problem. What's the solution? Fardy is probably a good option. Although I like Gill, I think running 2 OSFs would be a mistake.
moaman
Guest
Editors; Slade was a Highlanders player last season and will be a Crusader next.