McKenzie announces revamped Wallabies team for Bledisloe Cup opener

And, it is possible that Foley/Beale combo may be seen at some stage of this first test against the ABs.

Note the difference between complaining and noticing Toomuaforpresident/Niwdeyaj Possible reasons for difference in sound: -Selective Hearing -Harder to build atmosphere noise in ANZ -Quieter sydney crowds Everyone around me was belting it out, only difference was you don't notice McCaw carrying the ball as much as he plays tighter so it was reserved for being on screen, quite a lot as it seems he is put on screen after every ruck infringement, even those from a player halfway across the field.

Exactly why sardonic is less valid than something as idiotically over-reactive as "McKenzie should step down AFTER game one" is unclear, but to go to your point that I haven't put a counterargument: 1. Beale wasn't available to Link until June, and in any event 2. As the ABs weren't our opponents in the last eight games, your point about winning them all is otiose. As you were.

Spot on assessment.

SG you didn't offer a dissenting opinion, you offered a sardonic comment that was designed to mock only. Your point is questionable and yet you refuse to answer so I'll try and make this very simple for you. To paraphrase you say you 'love' listening to experts who reckon we can get different results by doing the same old same old. Well here it is...my questions to you wise old. 1. if we have won the last eight tests why are we changing things? 2. If McKenzie is able to use the last eight tests as a proud assessment of his tenure as a coach then why is that same value not placed in the players who achieved this record. Is this something our competition would do? 3. When Cooper comes back he will surely push for a starting spot meaning now he will be competitions directly with Beale for the ten position. Does this mean that Foley has in realistic terms dropped back to third choice when all players are fit. North Korea would probably have a pretty good home record but I don't think they'd travel too well or at all.

Both McCalman AND Higgers in the reserves indicates to me that there must be fitness doubts over Palu (AGAIN). Suggest if Palu doesn't pass the test then McCalman in for Palu. If Palu gets the nod then sadly expect Link to select Higgers over McCalman. Forget about the innovation....Link is starting to become very predicatable.

Sorry Wallaby fans, but I think your team is going to get a pasting on Saturday night. The All Black pack is superior to the Wallaby pack in at least 6 positions, and that story continues onto the forwards warming the pine. Owen Franks, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock and Jerome Kaino in particular are head and shoulders better than their opposites. The Wallabies will be under severe pressure when feeding their own lineout and scrums, and Wallaby set pieces will provide plenty of point scoring opportunities for the All Blacks. I also expect the AB's forwards to dominate the collisions and the ruck and maul, although it may take 30-50 minutes to get on top in this area. Overall, the All Black backline is also better than the Wallaby backline in most positions, perhaps not as decisive an advantage as in the forwards but it is irrelevant given the forward dominance AB's will enjoy. I expect Folau and AAC will be key players for the Wallaby's. These two completely negated the Crusaders' kicking game in the SR final, and I expect they will be effective in this area against the AB's as well. So the AB's will have to work for front foot possession. No doubt the defensively strong selections at 11-14 are aimed at negating the attacking power of the AB backs. However, the lack of pace out wide is a risky strategy and I think it will backfire with the AB speedsters running wide onto front foot ball. I know my post will be derided by you Aussie Roarers, but this is how I think it will play out. If I am proved wrong, I'll be back to eat my humble pie on Sunday.

Alexander has adapted with the scrum law changes really well. Used to struggle with the hit but that's practically non existent now. He'll hold up well.

It seems everyone is just launching into rhetoric about the loss of Foley being replaced by beal. Let's think about the recent ability of the AB's and the NZ teams in general to close out games. Link may well be thinking that Beal is better off absorbing the first deluge of pressure that is Bledisloe 1. The hard hits and the manic scrambling for both teams to settle and find their rhythm. That is when the AB's are most dangerous. Just look at their recent tests. So let's not underestimate the use of the bench as a valid strategy, especially against sides that close out games in the second half.. If we can stay close in the first half, even ahead, Foley coming on second half adds some stability, leadership and freshness that can be relied upon to get us over the line. Let's not forget Phipps et al......there are quality players to come off the bench when the AB's are at their most dangerous. I don't think Foley has been relegated, rather he has just been re-aligned.

Tell you what. Why don't you take a Bex and lie down, ole son? If you can't handle dissenting opinions and a bit of a gentle dig, a move to North Korea may be just the thing.

Too true Digs - clean set piece ball will be the question-mark for the WBs.

So right Beale was no good at 10 for the rebels. He needs space. He was a good fullback I think the ABs will shut him down at 10 and he will be a legacy there.

No complaints for the forwards: - All good scrummagers, including bench - Hope Fardy reprises last year's standard - Starting second row, not fearsome in attack. But if defence + ruck is nimble, accurate and aggressive it will be full marks. Maul defence will be tested til Skelton comes in - Charles and Hanson - solid hookers. Will be trial by fire. Their first few touches will be critical. Their team mates will be key to help them get confidence and momentum. Beale: - This Saturday he is the official general. Big call. - May be good to provide the wider option. - But Im unsure that option will be available or should be taken so early in the match by the backs. I dont think ABs will make the same mistake as the Saders by leaving the wider channels open early in the game. ABs defence will cover and drift quickly. - Unless part of the WBs plan is to to move the point of attack quickly, backed by efficient ruck pods. Sounds like an exciting / risky game plan: - I hope they dont start kicking the ball away if WBs pack doesnt get immediate results - kin France game 2. - They must also limit turnover ball and counter attack opportunity (to zero) - Otherwise its ABs backrow, Nonu / Smiths / Bus through Beale's gate This game is going to be won up front. As promised by the team. Go Wallabies!

Exactly, that's how Beale was listed. I like this team and I am glad R. Horne has been picked in the back three. The match will be a team effort and most likely all bench players will see action. A solid team given availability. Is it a winning team.....time will tell.

Yup. Horne is solid protecting both wing and the 13 channel. Not just stopping power for the bigger runners. Also smart to show slower runners the sideline with good results. AAC and Toomua in defence looks good both individual and team. However, in the last few Brumbies games Toomua seems to rush out more than he should have. Last year, the defence was one of the key killers for the WBs.

Great to see pulver picking teams. Beale over Foley really. Looking forward to that 17 m drift sideways to pass the ball, the chip kick should be a feature...... Picking AAC clearly paints a narrow attacking picture.

On his left side, doesnt Beale always pass like an NRL player?

Beale doesnt read the Roar and even if he did he could still ignore the negative reaction because he has the backing of the coach and the confidence that comes from winning a super rugby title and playing professional rugby at the highest levels for many years

TahDan.... I get where you are coming from, you are not alone! C'MON THE WALLABIES!!!!

I'm srprised you say that Jameswm. He offers what all classic 10's offer. Breadth of vision, and cool 'generalship' that we haven't seen since Bernie. Beale has profited sharing playmaker with him and although it goes both ways to some extent, I will be pleasantly surprised if Beale looks as good without Foley. I haven't seen him control the tempo of a game He's spontaneous, and he can up the tempo, but he's not my idea of a 10. Cheika got it right!