Ian Foster’s starting XV spells disaster for Australia as the All Blacks coach made several changes that have bolstered the team and diminished the Wallabies’ chances of winning.
It seems Australian chances were immediately snuffed with Foster announcing that Beauden Barrett is raring to go this week. A fully-fit Barrett doesn’t bode well for Australia as his attacking abilities were sorely missed in the previous game and his involvement tomorrow will be crucial for a dominant All Blacks display.
Don’t forget, this is the same Barrett that scored four tries and 30 of New Zealand’s points in the 40-12 walloping at Eden Park in 2018. It is the same Barrett that played fullback in the All Blacks outfit that thumped the Wallabies 36-0 at Eden Park in 2019.
Of the 28 appearances, throughout a range of competitions, where the 29-year-old competed against Australia, New Zealand have only lost four games, giving him a colossal 86 per cent win rate.
Barrett has proven himself as Australia’s kryptonite and if there is anyone that has a knack for beating the Wallabies, it’s him.
In addition to this and to assist Barrett’s attacking prowess, Foster has surrounded his star talent with his finest back line.
(Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Rather than play people out of position as he did in the first match, the All Blacks coach has opted for a more cohesive and structured combination. So, Anton Lienert-Brown, who is a superb defender, comes into the line for Rieko Ioane, who claims bench duties following that error last week.
Foster’s choice to offer Ioane an opportunity to correct his mistake, albeit from the bench, is resourceful. The 23-year-old will strive to set the record straight and provide immense impact in the latter stages of the game.
Leinert-Brown’s selection guarantees the New Zealanders maintain their defensive strength and safeguard areas where Ioane previously failed.
Due to George Bridge’s training injury, young gun Caleb Clarke – who had an energetic performance in his debut stint off the bench – will join them in the All Blacks’ starting back line. The mammoth 21-year-old offers an alternate variation of game play to Bridge, who was often stretched by the Wallabies’ attack in Bledisloe 1.
His linking up with Barrett through his tough ball-running game will be a thing of beauty and the opportunity to perform in front of his home crowd will only excite him further.
Foster didn’t just stop there. The forwards have been injected with fresh blood through the inclusion of Tupou Vaa’i and Alex Hodgman.
Vaa’i, the youngest member of Foster’s squad, will assume the role of second-rower for injured Sam Whitelock and offers a strong physical presence on the field. His selection breathes even more life into an already invigorated forward pack and allows the opportunity for his further development.
Alex Hodgman, included for his mobility around the park, demonstrates Foster’s willingness to build on their strong scrums and mauls and infuse their pack with fierce ball carriers.
Foster’s selections for Bledisloe 2 have certainly constrained Australia’s chances of winning and a gargantuan effort is required by Dave Rennie’s men if they are to leave New Zealand needing only the one home win to finally lift the cup.
How fitting would it be if a New Zealander-led Wallabies team overcame a potent All Blacks side to finally break the dreaded history that is Eden Park?
For what a Rennie-led Wallabies team could achieve, there is always hope.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Hi ya NV, many in NZ think Barrett needs to go back to 10. So do I, mainly for leadership and playmaking reasons. At 10 he keeps the opposition focussed on him, thats not needed at 15 until hes involved. As good as Mo'unga is Barretts a rare gem in terms of options, and I think we're gonna need a few rabbits pulled out to win one or both the Oz tests. We'll certainly lose one. possibly two, unless we have one of those leaders not required players running havoc type matches.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Englands win doesnt fit PK’s criteria. Neither does Oz whipping the ABs in oz not long ago. Both sides were pretty much at their best. In world cups particularly ABs have faced sides that have played nowhere near the level they did prior to or after the match. France in 99 and 03 were far better than anything else either side. Oz literally played with France in the final and were thrashed by the ABs three months earlier. England coach Jones said theyd prepared two years for the AB match last year. They had a week for SA and both results showed. Boks were two good we know that but in investing so much in beating the ABs they couldnt repeat their efforts. PK’s comment rings true for many matches in Oz. Theyve won several when theyve pinched it or held on at the end, Nick Whites solo try wining one, another I think when Kefu? went over late. Oz have won 20 times in Sydney alone, our worst venue by a mile, regardless of the reasons. Of any side Wallabies probably do win more matches vs the ABs while not at their best than anyone else. I think they’ll win the next two now that all ambushes for this year are over.
taylorman
Roar Guru
All Blacks dont lose many tests, they lose a lot less when the opposition is not at their best. World cups are good examples. But Oz have had a few wins at home when theyve just outpointed the ABs at the end. In saying that I think the Bledisloe is going to walk.Too many standard ingredients go against us in a not so normal year. Winning in Oz is tough for AB sides recently and this is an AB side full with very good players but not so in leadership. Cane isnt in the top league of AB captains, Sams out is he? Across the backs theres youth, enthusiasm and skills, but not a lot of leadership. Barrett, who because of that really needs to lead the way at 10, and Smith maybe, but he rest are players jockeying for permanent spots. Players like Caleb will be great for 'moments' but in those critical moments in the last 15, decisions and pressure will count. Then theres the coaching. Rennie will be licking his lips at two home matches and STILL be within a chance after drawing and losing a Bledisloe cup match- thats never happened before- Oz in it after no wins in two matches? I'd say theyre favouries now. Love the Wallaby jerseys. I want one. :-)
taylorman
Roar Guru
Tells me that he's 29 already, when did that happen...geez. :shocked:
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Nah you weren't the only one. He was ordinary at 15 but good at 10 for the Blues.
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
Good post mate... Toomua's tactical kicking was poor. A couple of times when the Wallabies were on attack near the AB 22 he kicked possession away aimlessly. This was a lack of nouse big time. Why the f..k would you kick the ball to a team that's whole game plan is to counter attack from anywhere on the field. You should be starving them of possession!!! Otherwise he was great on defence and his vast experience showed. Having him alongside O'Connor made sense...9,10 and 12 are all experienced and that was what was needed . Hopefully they will get better each time out. Rennie is experimenting and building combinations with the RWC in mind .That is the prize .
pm
Roar Rookie
Very gracious response, Jarrod. Take my initial grumpy response as that of a tired Wallabies supporter rather than clear-headed
Double Agent
Guest
Surely I'm not the only one to notice that BB had a fairly quiet SR season? I've always loved BB - an absolute freak runner of the ball. He may make me eat my words but atm I'm not as worried about him as I used to be,
Yeah, Dally, I think Rennie brings a whole new attitude to the Walllabies, judging from last weekend you could already see the fundamentals were better executed and much better planned. Of course the All Blacks are favourites, but if the Aussies come with the same intensity and belief it will be a good match up.
Gun Dog
Roar Rookie
No worries bro.
Ethan
Guest
Abs backs will be better this week. They are scary. But the pack didn't get on top last week and is even weaker without Whitelock, so I think the wbs can win if they take it to them up front. That will mean better ruck presence and lineout, something which Rennie is clearly targeting. Should be a belter. Pray we don't give them much turnover ball.
Jarrod Murray
Roar Rookie
Tack NV!
Jarrod Murray
Roar Rookie
Hey PM, your criticism is well taken. There are certainly lots of areas on which I could improve. Although, I appreciate you taking the time to read it and hope that if you find one of my articles in the future it will be more thought-provoking.
Dally
Guest
The fact is, we haven’t won for 34 years at Eden Park and have a very inexperienced side, so we are going to have to be at our best to win. This is hardly an outlandish statement. I’m sure the players themselves would even agree. Especially when the ABs always bounce back strong in such instances, after losing or drawing like last week. They played terribly in Wellington the ABs and we drew with them giving all we had. So if NZ really bring it, is us just showing up and playing within ourselves going to cut it? Of course not.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, I feel pretty comfortable with the backs, even if I would maybe move them around a little, it feels like this set up is an improvement on last week. But we need to ‘muscle up’ up front and lay that platform for the backs. Without that we are just as bearable as any body else. Can’t wait for the game...
pm
Roar Rookie
At the same time, Paolo, your rebut makes me think: mine was a lazy criticism: I just accused Jarod of something, without demonstrating or specifying it.was 11pm here, should have waited till the morning to comment. And also for that world 24 (23) I only had about 5 blokes I really wanted to pick. I would have been smarter just suggesting them, then running it as a DIY you pick your team... I picked a fair whack of kiwis. Love the Kiwis backs at the moment overall. Clearly overall best in the world for mine. Whereas 3 - 5 years ago it might have been Ireland's.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
Regarding Mo’unga and BB, been surprised they haven’t tried playing them at 10 and 12 and JB at 15. Personally I just like BB at 10 as I think he is the best 10 at international level. Mo’unga is quite small as well so not ideal at this level.
Bodger
Roar Rookie
The AB forwards made all their tackles but Wallabies forwards also got over the gain line so that seemed to neutralise things out in the wet and wind. Dry tomorrow so both teams will need to be faster off the line and close things down as there will be more offloads. Think it’s fair to say this isn’t the best AB forward pack but the backs are always going to be dangerous on the counter but you don’t want to be making twice the tackles every game especially at the wrong end of the park. I would expect ABs to be more physical but also tactically better and aim for more field position. The ABs don’t mind defending down in the oppositions half.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea fair enough. And the for the record the team looked pretty good. Just needed more All Blacks :silly:
Bodger
Roar Rookie
ABs at home in front of 47000 (I think) AB fans are deserved favourites. That was a really good hit out by a brand new Wallabies team last week with only a few weeks to prepare. Much better conditions for attacking rugby tomorrow. Not much gets said about it but I think we have a skilful forward pack starting tomorrow who are capable of a bit of passing, play making and offloading in traffic; Tupou, Wilson, LSL, BPA and Slipper all have a nice passing game. Tupou’s cutout pass to his right to Wilson was class and any international 10 would have been thrilled with that effort. We are clear underdogs, I’m the eternal optimist but ABs deserve to start favourites.