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).
Porkie
Guest
It's yery simple David , the ABs will run onto the field wearing an icon that has been built over many generations before them, this creates expectation and team pride , every team member is there for the team and the black jersey The wallabys have brouhgt together a team of individuals from all over the place, in a hope that they wil play together with the same burning desire ,and reason as the guy next to him , which is what
Porkie
Guest
I think the wallabys will be to wound up by all the pre banter, and will lose their heads, kepu will be the first yellow and pocock the second . The ABs will play as a tight confident unit , which comes from playing together and against each other in a very competitive NZ conference , and it will flow over to test rugby, contrary of what Hansen says
Jokerman
Guest
Cheika's boozing, cruising, on a high then not. As for Hollywood this tech stuff can take time mate, don't be hard on yourself, just ask some in the Aussi backline three years on and they still can't pass left...
Peter Mc
Roar Rookie
Agree KiwiDave - but Genia one one leg still has to be better tha Phipps!
Browny
Roar Rookie
Well that's easy; Genia hasn't played a bad game in months!
Buk
Guest
Thanks for the article David. I have no doubt the Wallabies will be endeavouring to throw the kitchen sink at them. I am perhaps stating the obvious, but Will the Wallabies score early, get the bounce of the ball, and/or perhaps have an All Black yellow carded & capitalise on their absence? Can anyone pull off a Stirling Mortlock-isque intercept & turn a potential - 7 into a + 14? Can Pocock or Moore score from a lineout drive? Or will the AB defence have the Wallaby attack all sussed out?
Johnny Boy Jnr
Guest
"We should be blooding new players" haha Then what's your opinion on Mumm & Horne? Mumm is the Uday Hussein of Australian rugby
Freddy from Bondi
Guest
I'll settle for winning the Bledisloe at the moment thanks! We've got 3 more years to prepare for the RWC...worry about it later and put the best team we've got at the moment on the paddock to get the Bledisloe back!
Wardad
Guest
Ken I think you have nailed a major point of difference there with the other codes RE: no free to air coverage. Murdoch may have set things in motion but rugby in Oz is now in the doldrums sans FTA.
bigbaz
Roar Guru
We've a punchers chance but unfortunately no punch.
Wardad
Guest
Yes but what kind of people and for the sake of the census what are their names ?
Wardad
Guest
Does look a bit like short term gain [ perhaps] at the expense of some pain now gain later with some new blood. Still I never write off the Wallies or the Boks either ,hell these days even the Japanese worry me no end !
Wardad
Guest
Jokerman Cheika should have known what you meant just going by yer tag there ! Bit of a larrf watching MrHollywood wrestling his tech but we have all been there eh ? Drive a good man to drink it would ,bad men are already at the bar .
soapit
Guest
bigger populations gives bigger numbers. doesnt show the quality of those included in the number after league afl and soccer get first pick and rugby lives off whats left.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Thanks ken, might have to take you up on that.?
mania
Guest
I agree. screw the bledisloe and the RC, aus need to use this year wisely and blood as many as possible. cheika might find some diamonds in the rough. whats the point of genia, gitteau and Mitchell? they aren't gonna make the next WC.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Katipo, we are not a rugby nation. I believe we could , or even should, be, but media opportunities have been hijacked by the dominant codes, AFL and NRL and soccer are simpler codes to understand. Just like the bid Maccas signs everywhere, awareness brings customers. NRL is the Maccas of the footy codes. Massively hyped. Media dominant. Low on substance. So noisy and persistently so, that it drowns out its alternative. Most Australians don't even know that Super rugby exists. The lack of FTA coverage deems the code invisible. All of the other 3 codes have solid FTA exposure. For many Aussies the arrival of Olympic Sevens would have opened their eyes to FTA rugby (outside of tests) for the very first time. Note the boneheaded choice of Chennel 7 to telecast live the warm down process of an Aussie canoeist, rather than the thrilling moment of Fiji creating their first ever gold medal in the first even rugby sevens final. Rugby is either not very popular in Australia, or just plain invisible.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Guest
Agreed Chook. Brainless Australian jingoism is downright embarrassing. I reckon it's probably the reason (or excuse) we cop so many spontaneous sermons on ethics and humility, along with rugby, from across the ditch. Don't worry Tman. If NZ happen to slip up, you can always count on this forum, and the sensitivity of OZ Roarers to pull you through.?
Albatross
Guest
Mostly people I think Milan!
Albatross
Guest
Builders a little more in the know are well aware that a lot of new products are actually full of recycled materials.. Because it makes a lot of sense to reuse. Read into that how you will. Perhaps the recycling concept is yet to hit your neck of the woods kdave??