A refreshed Matt Giteau says the Wallabies see opportunities to exploit against the all-conquering All Blacks in the Rugby Championship decider.
Expected to be named at inside centre for Saturday’s clash ANZ Stadium on Thursday, 32-year-old veteran Giteau is set to play his 22nd Test against the world champions dating right back to 2003 and the start of the great Bledisloe Cup drought.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika is likely to reveal his World Cup thinking by fielding his strongest available team as Australia attempt to claim the Rugby Championship title and build Bledisloe Cup and World Cup momentum.
Giteau was rested from the Wallabies’ last-start win over Argentina after copping a buffeting in his international comeback during the victory over South Africa.
But he should return alongside No.8 Wycliff Palu (rested) and winger Henry Speight (suspended) who would be getting their first starts of the 2015 campaign.
Back from his three-year, self-imposed international exile in France, Giteau, who has four wins and 17 losses from his battles with the All Blacks, is looking forward to testing himself against the Kiwis again.
“I had a good opportunity to get some fitness and a lot of running done while the boys were away in Argentina,” Giteau said on Wednesday.
“No-one is really talking about previous results or the history that we’ve got.
“We’ve got an opportunity this weekend as a team to possibly win a title and that’s what we are focusing on.
Getting his first crack at the All Blacks, Cheika clearly has some carefully-laid plans around areas where he thinks the Wallabies can gain an edge and topple their great nemesis.
“I think there’s opportunities that we feel that, if we are good enough and if we can execute well enough, that we can put some points on the board,” Giteau said.
The All Blacks are coming off a last-gasp 27-20 victory over South Africa last weekend, but much like Cheika, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen has been experimenting and mixing up selections until now.
Giteau is facing a likely showdown with superstar code-hopper Sonny Bill Williams, who is expected start at No.12 as fellow midfield monster Ma’a Nonu has been battling a shoulder injury.
“It will be huge. He’s a great sporting talent and everyone knows what he’s capable of doing,” Giteau said.
“The depth they’ve got at inside centre is unbelievable.”
Giteau is expected start outside playmaker Bernard Foley, while former skipper James Horwill is tipped to come in as a starting lock to replace the injured Rob Simmons.
Meanwhile, inside back Matt Toomua and prop James Slipper have come through contact training well and are expected to be available the match after copping head knocks against Argentina.
Wallabies likely starting team (15-1): Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Henry Speight, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, Wycliff Palu, David Pocock, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Will Skelton, Greg Holmes, Stephen Moore, James Slipper.
Nick
Guest
Yhe only reason anybody remembers what you're up to is your incessant need to comment
Cylon
Guest
You know the the 'nz press' is largely owned by the Australian press, right?
Rebel
Guest
I'll be following the ABs so hopefully the scoreboard is in their favour. Doesn't;'t mean I clutch as straws.
bazza
Guest
I stopped reading at " Cooper is error prone"
bazza
Guest
Massive Wallaby back 5... 600 kilos..120 kilos per man..Can they translate that into grunt and power ..Time will tell..
Jerry
Guest
You said what? How DARE you?
Handles
Roar Guru
Mumm to start? Bloody hell, that is not good. We become very short on lineout options if we have an early sub or injury to Horwill, Fardy or Mumm. Surprised not to see Cliff Palu somewhere. I guess the theory is that you can carry two poor defenders like Foley and Giteau side by side if you have two open side flankers to cover the holes.
Mozzy
Guest
First of all whilst I agree my compatriots jump on the first chance to rag on our Australian cousins - I think it needs to be taken with a grain of salt. The rivalry between Australia and NZ is as old as the hills, we got the same treatment in the Cricket world cup as we give you for rugby. Each side is trying to get a rise and it works... Now for my honest opinion - I think this Australian side under Cheika is a dangerous and unpredictable one. Largely the unpredictability comes from Cheika not getting his combinations right yet, but there is a stellar cast there with impact players available on the bench. Every first test in Australia is a difficult one and whilst I do believe that McCaw and lads will be triumphant on the night - I believe it will be in the dying minutes with a scrape in win from behind as we so annoyingly do. The key? Play a full 80 minutes with the same intensity - lapse for a second and we punish you that's the reality...
niwdEyaJ
Roar Guru
Clearly you missed the last game Cooper started against NZ... granted he's not currently in form, but he's only played half a dozen games this season and in his two international runs, he was given half a game behind a dominated pack and then thrown in out of position at 12 where he hasn't played in years...
Ken
Guest
McCaw is a master thief, always evading justice.. There is so much he seems somehow to get away with.Of course McCaw wriggles and squirms into positions he should not, and of course he dabbles with a hand or rolls on the wrong side when it is expressly forbidden, but it is what he is paid to do and what referees are paid to police...Unfortunately rucking is illegal so opposing players cannot deal with him swftly so he wont do it again....The referee has to do that job and watch Richard more closely than others..
Old Bugger
Guest
Absolutely t-man - I can't see a 40pt difference this weekend....its just not in Cheika's nature to let that happen and he will certainly impart that message, upon his charges, this week. However IMO, the unfortunate consequence of your's and Frontrow's comments is that there is probably no other alternative for the WBs, except to be aggressive...the question being the degree of severity, that the WBs aggression, will be measured. I'm hoping that over eager aggression is not the standard this weekend and both sides settle in, to have a great arm wrestling ding dong battle, sprinkled with some damn good, running rugby. That way, we get a high scoring match but not, 40pts difference.
marto
Guest
" Nah i`d play Richie, if he was wearing a green jersey and had blond hair (Springbok Schalk Burger) or a yellow jersey and had Head gear (Wallaby David Pocock), he would never finish a Test."
Cortez
Roar Rookie
G&GR have posted an 'exclusive' report naming the Wallabies team for Saturday. Hooper and Pocock to start at 7 & 8. Horwill, Mumm and Fardy as 4,5 & 6. Phipps/Foley as 9/10 with Giteau, TK, ACC, Mitchell and Folau rounding out the backs. Front row of Sio, Moore and Kepu. Very interesting if it's true. http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/gagr-exclusive-prepare-for-the-pooper/
marto
Guest
Smash em like the tahs smashed the Crusaders..Whitelock Rutchie and co dont like the rough stuff ...
Ged
Guest
True..The scrum could be the difference. Lets hope they prove us all wrong.
Ged
Guest
So true, I read an article once saying if we play to our full potential we could win and the venom coming from the Kiwi supporters was crazy. I thought what was said that was so arrogant? We just believed we could win, and why not? 15 all last year in the first test and a last second escape by AB's the third game so of course we believe we can win.
Mapu
Guest
It's called great recycling Ra
grotto
Guest
"They said they'd do this, and they said they'd do that, but they didn't" - Steve Hansen, following the AB drubbing in Auckland last year. When will the Wallabies leave the talk and get on with the job?
Hello
Roar Rookie
I agree that I think Toomua is our best 12 but I would like to seee Foley/ Giteau have a run. I think they could be a good combo.
Tony
Guest
Magic Sponge or is it Magic Mushroom going by yr non sensical comment