The Wallaby team has been named for Saturday’s test. This is an opportunity to storm the Kiwi beachhead in a do or die effort to remain alive in the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cups.
In the real world most will say that this is an impossible task. Is the best that we can hope for an honourable defeat and strategic withdrawal à la Dunkirk?
Or can we steer our undermanned battlegroup through the obstacles of Juno, Omaha or Gold Beach and give Jerry (or Smug Ted in this case) a bloody nose?
Perhaps a win is beyond us but let’s go down fighting in the process. Although Dunkirk was a loss, at least they lived to fight another day and eventually prevail.
They don’t come much tougher than at Lancaster Park (formerly Jade, now AMI, to be Stadium Christchurch for the RWC – yawn)?
The weather isn’t likely to do us any favours either as they’re forecasting rain, a top of 5C and a 14km/h zephyr on Saturday night.
That should lower the Wallabies’ fragile mental state another notch or two. Inclement NZ weather has always provided a ready-made excuse for losses in the past.
Let’s hope that this unique group rises above all that and displays a bit of passion. You know, I think that’s one of the downsides to professional rugby. It’s a bit sterile and seems more focussed on tactics.
As Buddha would say, where’s the passion Gordon? Didn’t see too much of it last week. We were out-enthused by a team who would die for their cause.
Speaking of tactics, the weather may necessitate a change in ours but the kicking will have to be deadly accurate as their counter-attacking skills are, as we’ve seen, damaging.
And those restarts? I doubt whether they’ll be a factor this week. It’ll be somewhere else where the focus will lie. Maybe scrum time – there should be plenty of those in the wet?
The Wallabies have made a couple of changes from last week with more young talent introduced. Fair enough too if you’re not performing.
Deans has brought in Anthony Faingaa for his debut run-on test, with Sookface returning to the bench.
Kurtley Beale gets a guernsey at fullback courtesy of Rob Horne’s injury.
Twin brother Saia Faingaa is now the starting hooker after a very solid introduction to international rugby. He plays a fairly dynamic defensive game around the ruck.
Squeeky Moore heads back to the bench but I’d imagine he’ll be getting plenty of game time.
As expected, AAC is moved to outside centre where he is probably the only viable option at present. Cam Shepherd has overcome the flu and is in the reserves.
I’m not sure that only one change to the forward pack is going to make that much of a difference but who am I to argue with the Master Coach?
For me, the question marks surrounding Dean Mumm, Richard Brown and Salesi Ma’afu still remain.
Inconsistency suggests that the Wobblies will be due to bounce back but I reckon it’ll again be a little ugly and Saving Private Deans will be beyond our capabilities.
More likely Meet the Fockers. Same result but perhaps a little less hurtful….
Wallabies: Kurtley Beale, James O’Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (c), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma’afu, Saia Faingaa, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Cameron Shepherd.
All Blacks: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Dan Carter, Piri Weepu, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Victor Vito, Alby Mathewson, Aaron Cruden, Benson Stanley.
