This weekend’s match will be a tough ask for the Wallabies, though it could also be dangerous for the All Blacks who drew 18-18 in the corresponding game last year.

The Wallabies need to hit back at criticism that they are falling away from the top teams and slipping into the middle group of the world rankings.

It will be the first time the Wallabies have played in the new enclosed stadium in Dunedin.

This game will be far from a dead-rubber for the Wallabies despite the Bledisloe Cup being secured by the All Blacks for this year following 47-29 and 27-16 losses. The Wallabies are desperate to prove they belong with the All Blacks and Springboks who appear to be in a league of their own at the moment.

Injuries to key players such as Scott Fardy, Christian Leali’ifano, Joe Tomane and Chris Feauai-Sautia is less than ideal for the Wallabies and will test the depth of the squad. In replacement, Ben Mowen will move to blindside flanker and Ben McCalman will go to number 8. Matt Toomua replaces Christian Leali’ifano and uncapped Waratah Peter Betham comes onto the wing.

Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie and captain James Horwill are adamant that Quade Cooper, who will make his first start against the All Blacks in a year, will be able to deliver despite being successfully targeted by the All Blacks in the past.

The scrum has been a talking point again this week after the Wallabies pack were dominated in the early part of the game against Argentina. Wallabies props Ben Alexander and James Slipper spoke about the scrum ahead of this week’s match.

“I don’t think we’ll really silence our critics until we perform well in a big game,” Alexander said.

“A lot of perception around our scrum is that it’s creaked in really big games.”

Slipper said that the Wallabies were concerned about providing clean ball to unleash the backs.

“That comes off good set-piece ball, so the key there is to complete your lineouts with great delivery and great scrums as well. I’m not saying we’re going to dominate the All Blacks in the scrum but our main goal is to get the best ball possible for the backs.”

Similarly, the All Blacks recognise they can not ease off despite claiming the Rugby Championship for another year as they chase their 30th consecutive win on home soil. After their epic win against the Springboks in South Africa, Steve Hansen highlighted how New Zealand had no intention of letting their foot off the gas.

“This team needs this game, this is an ideal game, because if we want to make statements, this a great opportunity”

“We’ve got two choices. We can either be like pigs in mud and roll in it and say how good we are, or get back to work and show we can still improve.”

“You’re never going to be perfect but you’re got to strive to be perfect.”

The All Blacks have made four changes for this week’s game. Rookie Jeremy Thrush comes in for Brodie Retallick who moves to the bench whilst veteran hooker Kevin Mealamu comes back into the starting side. Try scoring machine Ben Smith moves in one place to outside centre for Conrad Smith who commenced a four month break from the game. Despite having spent most his time at fullback or wing, Smith is not unfamiliar with outside centre having started there against Scotland at the end of last year. After just two ITM cup matches for Wellington, Cory Jane returns to the wing after having been out since the start of the season with a torn ACL. Hansen was thrilled with the return of Jane.

“It’s great to have Cory Jane back. He has been a world-class performer and we are looking forward to seeing him back in the black jersey. It’s also exciting to have Ben Smith getting his first start at centre for the season.”

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will break another record this weekend as he will play a record 32nd Test match against a single opponent.

Will Genia will earn his 50th test cap for the Wallabies.

Key Match-Ups

Ben Smith versus Tevita Kuridrani

Attack against defence. Ben Smith scored a record 8 tries during the Rugby Championship which included a hat-rick and then a double against the Wallabies. Kuridrani will no doubt be given the job of shutting him down with some big hitting rush defence.

Cory Jane versus Peter Betham

Experience against the debutant. Both players will have the opportunity to start for their country for the first time this year. Betham has had a standout year with the Waratahs whilst Jane has been stuck on the sidelines. It will be interesting to see if they can both pull out a good performance on Saturday.

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All Blacks

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Jeremy Thrush
5. Samuel Whitelock
6. Liam Messam
7. Richie McCaw (C)
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Julian Savea
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Ben Smith
14. Cory Jane
15. Israel Dagg

Reserves:
16. Dane Coles
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ben Franks
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Sam Cane
21. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Tom Taylor

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Wallabies

1. James Slipper
2. Steven Moore
3. Ben Alexander
4. Rob Simmons
5. James Horwill (C)
6. Ben Mowen
7. Michael Hooper
8. Ben McCalman
9. Will Genia
10. Quade Cooper
11. Peter Betham
12. Matt Toomau
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau

Reserves
16. Saia Fainga’a
17. Ben Robinson
18. Sekope Kepu
19. Sitleki Timani
20. Dave Dennis
21. Nic White
22. Mike Harris
23. Bernard Foley

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