Wallabies coach Michael Cheika insists he’s nowhere near reaching any mountain tops, but the rugby fan in him is looking forward to his first crack at conquering the code’s equivalent of Everest.
Cheika will coach against the world champion All Blacks for the first time on Saturday in the Rugby Championship decider at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.
Some sceptics might suggest climbing Everest would be an easier gig and certainly quicker than waiting for a Wallabies win over the All Blacks, something which last happened four years ago.
Failure to win on Saturday would mean Australia equals their longest ever winless streak of 11 matches against one nation, though that previous run against New Zealand spanned 11 years from 1967-78.
With the World Cup just over six weeks away, Cheika will get the best possible gauge of the Wallabies progress under his charge with matches against New Zealand on successive Saturday’s in Sydney and Auckland.
Cheika, who has a 3-3 record since taking over last October, is enthusiastic but realistic about the task of toppling the old trans-Tasman foe.
“I’ve only just started, I’m nowhere near reaching any type of mountain tops,” Cheika said.
“I’m just learning about how to go each week getting the team ready in these little blocks, coming up against a serious opponent every single week.
“Obviously by their number one ranking, there’s no-one more serious than New Zealand.
“I suppose the rugby fan in me is really looking forward to it and as the coach I’ll follow that, I’m looking forward to the contest.
“We’ve still got a bit of preparation to do to get ourselves exactly right and I know the lads will be right up for it on Saturday night.”
He suggested Australia would look to execute established parts of their game better while also trying the odd new trick.
“Of course you’ll try something different like you do for most oppositions but I don’t see that there’s any type of miracle play or anything like that you’ve got to pull out,” Cheika said.
“You’ve just got to be up for the battle and ready to get stuck in and do it for 80 minutes and more if required.”
Prop James Slipper felt Australia’s much scrutinised scrum could get parity against the All Blacks and was still developing under recently appointed set piece coach Mario Ledesma.
He was confident it would be where it needed to be by the time of the World Cup.
“It’s taken some time to adjust (to Ledesma), but I feel like we’re definitely improving and we’re moving in the right direction,” Slipper said.
“In terms of the All Blacks they scrum pretty similar to us and we’re looking forward to a good contest there. I think it will be pretty even.”
dr katz
Guest
You couldn't seriously expect anyone to think the ABs are underdogs in this match???. If you really do I think its time you had a nice cuppa and a bit of a lie down in your batch.
Old Bugger
Guest
More importantly, is there a chance that Hansen takes 3 locks to RWC and opens another option selection somewhere else?? Geez - 2 HBs and 3 locks.....anyone's guess but, who woulda thought aye??
Grumped
Guest
Taylorman, Is Hansen sharing the load among his three main locks? I may have missed it but Retallick and Whitelock are yet to start together this year.
Warwick Todd
Guest
I hope you're right Golden as that pack is the most physical the Wallabies can come up with.
The Twins
Roar Rookie
If the WBs replicate the Tahs game - they are LOSERS.....Highlanders beat them with BRAINS....and so it will be against the ABs
Taylorman
Guest
ABs team named for the weekend...didn't realise some didn't travel, making our picks look a little out. Good enough side with Romano for Whitelock the only non top 8 and NMS and SBW in forvPiutau and Nonu. Charlie Faumuina, Keven Mealamu, Nonu, Jane and Piutau did not travel with the All Blacks to Sydney. All Blacks: Ben Smith, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c) , Jerome Kaino, Luke Romano, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Ben Franks, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Malakai Fekitoa.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah can't recall the ABs ever losing because of their scrum either...it's all a myth. Anyway, they make up for any scrum deficiency though a very mobile tight five....that is the whole point. There's no slackers, where every other team has them.
Frontrow
Guest
That is garbage - you don't have a record like the All Blacks without having one of the best scrums in the world which they do. The Poms Ireland and Wales have all tried their best to out muscle the All Black scrum in the last two years and failed They have tried the same with Wallabies and we all know the results folks - done like a dinner. Every scrum in the last 4 years the Wallabies have been outplayed by has not done the same to the All Blacks - every scrum goes backwards at some point when you have two world class scrums going at it but the All Black scrum is in a different league to the Wallabies and need I remind people of the way the All Black scrum destroyed the Wallabies in three games last season That has to be either one of the most cocky statement or stupid statement I have heard in a while from a Wallaby player and there has been few - I will give him the benefit of the doubt and say it was for the ref And if the ABs read that - Simmons has just given his scrum the kiss of death - not a smart thing to say before a test against the AB's
ClarkeG
Roar Guru
Yes I think so. Both trophies can be sealed this weekend. Carter did not go to South Africa so he will want a run here for sure.
Golden
Guest
My prediction for the Wallabies 23 this weekend: 1. Sio 2. Moore 3. Kepu 4. Horwill 5. Skelton 6. Fardy 7. Pocock 8. Palu 9. Phipps 10. Foley 11. Tomane 12. Giteau 13. Kurindrani 14. Ashley Cooper 15. Folau 16. TPN 17. Slipper 18. Holmes 19. Mumm 20. Hooper 21. White 22. Toomua 23. Beale I would like to see Giteau and Toomua alternating between the 10/12 roles during a game. It would really keep the opposition on their toes. Who knows... perhaps that is what has been going on during the closed sessions? I'll guess I'll have to wait until Saturday to find out.
Golden
Guest
Given his recent concussion and consequential down time in training I think we'll see Slipper come from the bench with Sio starting. The pros and cons between these two players is quickly becoming negligible so I don't see any issue there. I also think Kepu will get a start ahead of Holmes, despite him proving his worth against Argentina. If Chieka wants to play Tah's forwards rugby, I think we'll see Pocock start over Hooper too. Pocock is better suited for ball security. He is able to shift bodies and draw players into the breakdown contest. I fully expect Palu to go off after about 55 mins and Hooper to come on to the flank with Pocock moving to No. 8. I predict the starting forward pack to be: 1. Sio 2. Moore 3. Kepu 4. Horwill 5. Skelton 6. Fardy 7. Pocock 8. Palu I believe the reserves forwards will be: 16. TPN 17. Slipper 18. Holmes 19. Mumm 20. Hooper Expect another 80 mins from Will Skelton.
Zero Gain
Guest
OK, Common, tell us what the score will be?
Golden
Guest
Time to open the other eye Dopplerman. It's hard to suggest that the Wallabies are anything else but underdogs going into this match. The world rankings certainly justify it. I hardly think that it was Chieka that claimed this title.
Alan
Guest
I'm an AB fan and recognise that our scrum is serviceable without being great. It's fair to say that there's not much between our scrum and Australia's. The one area of weakness in this current AB team is our two props. Scrummaging aside, they offer very little around the park. Woodcock's general play has regressed, and Franks misses a lot of tackles. Neither prop offer much as ball runners. The guys on the bench (Laulala and Crockett) I rate as being better than the starting props in arguably every aspect of propping play, but Hensen appears to be too conservative to give these guys the starting roles.
nickoldschool
Guest
My only regret is that Ledesma was appointed a tad too late for this rwc. But hopefully is impact will be felt at the rwc (a bit) and after (a lot). I always find it interesting to see big rugby nations like SA and Oz asking former players who spent their whole career in Europe for guidance in the forwards and particularly at scrum time. Both Ledesma and Pieter de Villiers, boks scrum coach, spent over a decade there. Strangely enough it's very rare to hear supporters or writers acknowledge this on the roar! Very odd indeed!
Old Bugger
Guest
Do you think this pack has an even chance of starting or do you anticipate others to play?? What is the strategy if others are chosen??
Jerry
Guest
So was Common Sense's reply.
Dopplerman
Guest
That comment was intended for the ref
Existentialist
Guest
nice summary OB ... especially if that is the pack. Not rocket science but clearly Cheiks strategy. Hopefully there is the same support play as per Tahs of 2014. Otherwise it will fail! I have this terrible feeling akin to when the NSW RL origin team fronted up for the final decider this year. Please say it ain't so ... Come on Wallabies!
WQ
Guest
Will the All Blacks play McCaw and Carter against the Wallabies?