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It’s rare, but the Wallabies go into Saturday’s Test against the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium with more caps than their arch rivals, with Adam Ashley-Cooper, skipper Stephen Moore, and Matt Giteau the only centurions.
The men-in-black have lost the experience of 604 caps, with world record-holder Richie McCaw’s 148, Keven Mealamu’s 132, Tony Woodcock’s 116, Dan Carter’s 112, Ma’a Nonu’s 103, and Conrad Smith’s 94.
As All Black coach Steve Hansen said – “This Test match will be another stepping stone in the re-establishment of this group and we know Australia will throw everything at us which is what Test matches are all about”.
Fair comment. But will the Wallabies throw everything but the kitchen sink at the All Blacks?
They have the jump on the visitors in the front row for starters with Scott Sio (18 caps), Moore (105), and Sekope Kepu (66), compared to Wyatt Crockett (48), Nathan Harris (4), and Owen Franks (80)
That’s 189 Wallaby caps to 132 where it counts.
The All Blacks have a slight edge in the pack with 447 caps to 432, but that’s the only area where the All Blacks are in front.
The Wallaby backs number 390 caps to 230, and the Wallaby bench 326 to 145, so the kitchen sink looms as a promising prospect.
Squad-wise, the Wallabies have 1148 caps to 822 with coach Michael Cheika selecting on form rather than loyalty for a change.
He’s dropped blindside flanker Scott Fardy and halfback Nick Phipps to the bench after they went missing in action in the three-Test loss to England, and selected the in-form Ben McCalman and Will Genia.
Suddenly the kitchen sink is far more destructive.
But there’s a word of caution with how many Wallabies would slot into the current All Black side?
David Pocock at openside flanker, Moore as hooker, and Israel Folau at fullback would be the only genuine prospects, so the cap disparity takes on a new meaning.
What it boils down to is very simple, which team wants it badly enough.
And we all know rugby is a religion in New Zealand, while rugby is one of four football codes in Australia, with rugby battling to get out of fourth.
It’s Cheika’s prime job to motivate his squad to not only defend the Rugby Championship they won so handsomely a year ago at ANZ Stadium, but regain the coveted Bledisloe Cup that’s been adorning the New Zealand Rugby Union’s trophy cabinet since 2003.
And that means hitting the All Blacks with everything they have for the entire 80 minutes.
Anything less will be a waste of space and effort.
The ball is in the Wallabies’ court.
Wallabies – Scott Sio (18 caps), Stephen Moore capt (105), Sekope Kepu (66), Kane Douglas (23), Rob Simmons (62), Ben McCalman (48), Michael Hooper (54), David Pocock (56), Will Genia (66), Bernard Foley (30), Dane Haylett-Petty (3), Matt Giteau (102), Tevita Kuridrani (34), Adam Ashley-Cooper (114), and Israel Folau (41).
Bench – Tatafa Polota-Nau (64), James Slipper (77), Allan Ala’alatua (0), Dean Mumm (46), Scott Fardy (33), Nick Phipps (42), Matt Toomua (32, and Rob Horne (32).
All Blacks – Wyatt Crockett (48), Nathan Harris (4),Owen Franks (80), Brodie Retallick (50), Sam Whitelock (75), Jerome Kaino (69), Same Cane (34), Kieran Read capt (87), Aaron Smith (50), Beauden Barrett (39), Waisake Naholo (6), Ryan Crotty (18), Malakai Fekitoa (15), Ben Smith (51), and Israel Dagg (51).
Bench – Codie Taylor (5), Kane Hames (0), Charlie Faumuina (36), Liam Squire (1), Ardie Savea (2), TJ Perenara (19), Aaron Cruden (39), and Julian Savea (43).
Referee -Jaco Peyer (South Africa).