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Opinion
On Saturday night the Wallabies return to Eden Park with the task of keeping Australia’s Bledisloe hopes alive. All too regularly we witness the Wallabies commence their Bledisloe claim, hopeful and optimistic, only to have that snuffed out by a dominant All Black showing at Eden Park.
Last Saturday’s result was no exception, however with restrictions on travel, we land in the curious outcome of two games being played in a row at Eden Park.
With that provides the opportunity for our Wallabies to become familiar with the All Black fortress and find a way to somehow win on this most hostile ground and take the Bledisloe Cup to a decider in Perth.
With the teams now announced, we have the opportunity to speculate on Dave Rennie’s game plan. Bledisloe 1 and the French series have also provided a valuable insight into the style of play Rennie is directing the Wallabies too.
We see a clear deviation from Michael Cheika’s commitment to “ball in hand” play, instead Rennie is steering the Wallabies on the path of clinical set piece play and a focus on winning the collision.
The changes to the team sheet for Bledisloe 2 may just improve Australia’s chances of keeping the series alive. In the forward pack we see Lukhan Salakaia-Loto shift to the bench after starting in all four of the Wallabies Tests this season.
In his place Matt Philip is now tasked with commanding the lineout, which was a clear early concern in game 1. The loss of Salakaia-Loto’s physical presence will need to be taken up by Lachlan Swinton if the Wallabies are to win the collision and match the physicality of the All Blacks forward pack.
Swinton is beginning to show a control of his strength and aggression under the leadership of a more experienced team, in comparison to that of his Waratahs squad. If Swinton and fellow loose forward Rob Valetini can consistently shut down the powerful carries from the likes of Ardie Savea and Akira Ioane then the Wallabies will nullify a very important weapon of the All Blacks.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
In the backline Matt To’omua’s inclusion to the run on side is likely a sign of his return to form rather than a significant change to the back line attack and defensive structures.
To’omua at his best still remains Australia’s first choice at inside centre, his experience and leadership will be a welcome addition to his teammates at 10 and 13.
Hunter Paisami will shift out one position to accommodate To’omua, but still expect to see a number of touches at first receiver and employment of Paisami’s kicking game.
Paisami is developing well as a multi skilled, Test standard midfielder. While his second half performance in Bledisloe 1 provides serious concern of his ability to handle the pressure that comes with the responsibility of the number 12 jersey.
The inclusion of To’omua will likely alleviate much of that pressure, their combination in defence will be critical for the Wallabies success. Paisami will need replicate his first half performance from Bledisloe 1, dominant first up tackles that stick and stop Richie Mo’unga’s plays and prevent the game slipping away from the Wallabies.
In the back three, Andrew Kellaway has been justly rewarded for his performance in Bledisloe 1. There is a feeling that only one to two more solid performances, will see Kellaway lock down the number 14 jersey for the remainder of the Test season.
Given the must win status of this match, Marika Koroibete’s return is greatly welcomed, his runs off attacking set piece will be Australia’s sharpest weapon.
Marika Koroibete celebrates scoring a try. (Photo by David Ramos – World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
As we saw in Bledisloe 1, the use and timing of impact players from the bench will be critical once again. The early inclusion of Taniela Tupou and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will be required to continue the physical standard set in the first half.
Tupou will be relied upon to deliver a dominant scrum platform in which Australia can attack from. If Australia can get a lead in the first half, seasoned replacement’s such as Nic White and Reece Hodge will be trusted to maintain the tempo and guide the game to a close.
The Eden Park Test is often thought as the death nail for Australian hopes of a Bledisloe return. However the resulting fluid nature of game and venue scheduling brought on by Covid-19, means the Wallabies have been presented with an opportunity to play their Tasman neighbours twice in their favourite backyard.
This has the potential to be of benefit to the Wallabies, with more games played at Eden Park, the more the team will become familiar with the environment and learn to shut out the peripheral distractions and media hype and treat the venue like any other pitch.
A win at Eden Park will provide a confidence and momentum for the Wallabies leading into a decider at Perth.
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.