An unchanged Wallabies line-up will run out against the All Blacks for Saturday night’s second Bledisloe Cup Test on Saturday in Auckland.
Head Coach Ewen McKenzie has remained consistent with his selections by giving those who participated in the 12-all draw in Sydney at the weekend an opportunity to topple the All Blacks at their spiritual home, Eden Park.
“We were impressed with the pressure we were able to apply in the opening Test and, despite some errors, were pleased with the intent of the group to continue attacking despite the poor weather conditions,” McKenzie said.
“I imagine both teams are excited by the prospect of a dry evening in Auckland on Saturday night, which will have an influence on the way the game is played.
“For us, we know we need to be more clinical in certain areas, but overall we feel the same group of guys deserve the opportunity to have another crack.
“Selection is never easy, although we’ve made a lot of tough decisions in this space over the past 12 months with the ultimate goal of winning games. You’re always looking to improve and I’m confident the sum of those hard choices has put us in a better position today.
“While we didn’t quite get there on Saturday night, I do know that we’ve made good progress since our first Test against New Zealand a year ago.
“That gives us some confidence heading into what will be an extremely tough challenge in Auckland on Saturday night.”
After a draw ended New Zealand’s 17-game win streak at the weekend, the Wallabies will now turn their attention to one of Rugby’s great challenges, playing the All Blacks at Eden Park.
Australia has not won at the venue since 1986, while the All Blacks have won 32 straight games at Eden Park against all opposition dating back to 1994.
However, McKenzie said his players wouldn’t be daunted by the Eden Park history.
“Recent results would suggest Eden Park hasn’t been a happy place for Australia and already this week we’ve seen that not many people are giving us a chance in Auckland,” he said.
“Sporting records are there to be broken and we’ll look forward to the opportunity of playing the All Blacks in their own backyard on Saturday night.”
Wallabies’ Team for Bledisloe 2:
1. James Slipper (vc – Queensland Reds)
2. Nathan Charles (Western Force)
3. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)
4. Sam Carter (ACT Brumbies)
5. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
6. Scott Fardy (ACT Brumbies)
7. Michael Hooper (c – NSW Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (NSW Waratahs)
9. Nic White (ACT Brumbies)
10. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
11. Rob Horne (NSW Waratahs)
12. Matt Toomua (ACT Brumbies)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (vc – NSW Waratahs)
14. Pat McCabe (ACT Brumbies)
15. Israel Folau (NSW Waratahs)Reserves
16. James Hanson (Queensland Reds)
17. Pek Cowan (Western Force)
18. Ben Alexander (ACT Brumbies)
19. Will Skelton (NSW Waratahs)
20. Scott Higginbotham (Melbourne Rebels)
21. Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs)
22. Bernard Foley (NSW Waratahs)
23. Tevita Kuridrani (ACT Brumbies)24th man – Ben McCalman (Western Force)
TahDan
Roar Guru
Pretty sure the ABs did 23 a couple years ago.
hoqni
Guest
and the good part was that, the one who does not generally play FH, plays better than the NZ generally fly half
hoqni
Guest
And he is a tight five. It's his job to grind ahead
Romario
Guest
Ahhh poor wixsy just to upskill you crockett wasnt bought back on because the coaches knew that pied pieper was having an absolute shocker and he (crockett) was in his mind so therefore pieper would have been paying extra attention to anything that crockett did so therefore smart move to sub him
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Interestingly Will did you see Cully had Beale as his 10 in team of the week - maybe we're all rating him a little harsh since I agree none of the flyhalfs had stand-out matches.
Will Sinclair
Roar Guru
Ha! Serves me right for thinking out loud!
JB
Guest
The difference is that NZ pick a fly half who generally plays fly half.
Starchild
Guest
Jokerman never said that. I'll give you the benefit of the doubt - you jumped on here at 4am your time not thinking straight?
AndrewWA
Guest
Higgers provides the only coverage for the Back Row. Hodgson has previously played 6, 7 & 8 for the Wallabies (and the Western Force). I didn't say that Hodgson should replace Hooper - just that Hodgson provided better coverage and form than Higgers off the bench.
Rob na Champassak
Roar Guru
Put it however you please, jutsie, but I have been going to Brumbies matches at Bruce Stadium since the franchise came into existence. If you think that supporting a team 'properly' requires you to understand the intricacies of the sport and remembering the events watched for years afterward (as opposed to just sitting in the crowd and getting excited when your team scores), then I suppose you're right, I have only been supporting 'properly' since 2001.
bennalong
Guest
He's done it for the Tahs twice! I think he's too young. Keep him on the bench for the while!
bennalong
Guest
McKenzie is a spinmaster Why did he chang incumbent, Foley?
Shop
Guest
Exactly how I saw it WB.
bennalong
Guest
This was a carbon copy of the game plan McKenzie used in the second French test! I don't believe both White and Toomua would kick so much if Link didn't tell them to. The fact that it was a shambles meant he (Link) came out and implied the players needed to hold on to the ball. That's why he keeps choosing White. Stupid I know!
Shop
Guest
The Argies box kick was used a lot but it was much more effective when Landajo was on. Most were contested and kept the pressure on. When Cubelli came on they were far too deep and just like White's efforts only served to hand back easy possession. It isn't the tactic that is bad but it is overused and too often badly executed. Unfortunately it seems instinctive for White, whereas it is hardly even in Phipps' arsenal.
hoqni
Guest
The comments on Roar are as if the Wallabies are Australian Idol. This is your last week. That you would drop anybody, in your eyes, who did not play well. Even the Allblacks do not do that. Ewen Mckenzie is doing well. has a core team, blood new players. create competition for sports. Going into RWC year, Wallabies will have 3 flyhalves, that is important. will have 5 or six wingers. that's important. 3 scrumhalves. That's the way to go. Go the Wallabies
stillmatic1
Guest
more upside. now where have we heard that before???
Mike
Guest
Thank God you aren't selecting for any team. Having two functioning eyeballs is a necessary prerequisite.
Mike
Guest
What does that mean?
bryan
Guest
As i've mentioned elsewhere, AAC runs outside his defender, as does Beale, White, Toomua, Falou etc... TK is the only naturally straightening runner we have, except for Horne. For that reason, and that reason alone, Horne or TK should be OC