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In the build-up this week to the Sydney showdown, all the talk from the Wallaby camp was about their newly found physicality.
They want to change the perception that their forward pack has a soft underbelly.
But the naming of the Wallabies starting side suggests Michael Cheika’s troops are set to try and run the All Blacks ragged. Maybe it has finally hit home to Cheika’s mind that physicality is not something that can be taught or coached in a fortnight’s time.
Physicality – you either have it as a player, or not. And, if lucky, it may take a few seasons to groom a player to switch from the “nots” to the “haves.” Dean Mumm will not outplay Brodie Retallick in the physicality department after a couple of weeks’ preparation no matter how hard he is coached.
Scott Fardy will not outmuscle his All Blacks counterpart in Jerome Kaino just because Cheika instructed him to through out training this week, and openside-turned No 8 David Pocock will not suddenly get the better of Kieran Read in the physical stakes.
When a player is coached or driven to play more physical than they really are, they tend to be involved in over-zealous play and give away preventable penalties. Think back to Will Skelton in the Waratahs match against the Crusaders.
So, what does Cheika do? He names a team apparently designed to run the All Blacks off their feet. He leaves monstrous Skelton on the bench, along with Ben McCalman – one of the more physical Australian players in the squad.
Perhaps he had to play Mumm to strengthen the short lineout with Pocock and Michael Hooper both on the paddock.
It appears that Cheika’s Plan A is to out do the All Blacks in the fitness and speed department, probably banking on the observation of some that the New Zealand forwards are ageing and some may have lost a metre or two in pace.
The All Blacks have proved to have superior fitness to all other teams over the past two years, and don’t appear to be slowing down.
If Plan A doesn’t work, Cheika will look to bring in the likes of Skelton and McCalman and try and up the physicality.
Hansen was quoted as saying he is trying to work out why Skelton is not starting. That’s Hansen at his best – he would have already worked out the game plan that Cheika is looking to play.
The All Blacks would have their systems in place to counter what the Wallabies throw at them.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.