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Saturday’s second Bledisloe Test in Wellington takes on sudden-death status for the Wallabies, who simply must win to keep the series alive with one final clash slotted in for October 19 in the shed down in Dunedin.
The ‘shiny and new’ feeling of excitement of the Ewen McKenzie appointment is dissipating somewhat, and indeed, many a valid question was asked after the Sydney match as to what is actually new about the McKenzie Wallabies.
Even if the execution was off, certainly the intent was new or at least renewed, from what we saw in the British and Irish Lions series in June.
From the moment the Wallabies first took possession, we saw the plan from the outset was to move the ball wide.
Whether they’d earned the right to go wide so soon is a major criticism of the Sydney performance, and there is no doubt whatsoever that the Wallabies backrow unit was rendered ineffective by the outstanding All Blacks ‘loosies’.
Both sides have been forced into changes for the second match.
New Zealand again finds itself scouring the country for flyhalves, with Dan Carter even asking in jest during the week if anyone knew the whereabouts of Stephen Donald.
Of course, the last time the All Blacks played a fourth-choice no.10, it ended rather well for them.
Somewhat surprisingly, the All Blacks have overlooked Highlanders’ first-five Colin Slade, instead handing a Test debut to the very impressive young Crusader, Tom Taylor.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen stopped talking about booing Quade Cooper for long enough to suggest Taylor’s ability to kick goals at or near 90% accuracy was what won him the start at flyhalf in Aaron Cruden’s absence, despite having not played in that position in Super Rugby this year.
Brodie Retallick comes into the starting XV for the injured Luke Romano, with Jeremy Thrush coming on the bench. Slade also comes onto the bench, as do Charles Piutau for centre Ryan Crotty, Dane Coles for hooker Keven Mealamu, and Wyatt Crockett for prop Ben Franks.
The Wallabies, despite the Sydney thumping, have made just the one forced change. Scott Fardy comes into blindside for his run-on debut, in place of the injured Hugh McMeniman, with Kane Douglas coming onto the bench.
Despite suggesting on Tuesday some tweaks be made – including Fardy for McMeniman, coincidentally – I quite like that McKenzie has decided to hold fire.
While there were some performances some individuals need to improve on, I like that the new coach has backed them to redeem themselves.
Scott Allen and Roarer Allanthus (when he wasn’t sledging me) gave us some great analysis and thoughts on where the Wallabies need to improve yesterday, and there is still much to talk about.
So let’s talk it out! Join me from 10:30am (AEST) through to midday today for another live Q and A session…
New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Ben Smith, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Julian Savea; Tom Taylor, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Steven Luatua; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Cane, Tawera Kerr-Barlow, Colin Slade, Charles Piutau.
Australia: Jesse Mogg; Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor; Matt Toomua, Will Genia; Ben Mowen, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy; James Horwill (captain), Rob Simmons; Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, James Slipper.
Replacements: Saia Fainga’a, Scott Sio, Sekope Kepu, Kane Douglas, Liam Gill, Nic White, Quade Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani.