Wallabies v All Blacks, preview

[travelling_gerry]

27/06/2007 5:20:59 PM AEST
Sportal

Venue & time
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne Saturday June 30, 8pm


Head to head
Played 148: New Zealand 100, Australia 43, Drawn 5.

Last time
August 19, 2006 - Eden Park (Auckland) - New Zealand 34-27 Australia .

Walking wounded and team changes
The Wallabies have made just one change to the XV beaten 22-19 by South Africa in Cape Town two weeks ago. Utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper comes into the starting line-up for winger Drew Mitchell. Ashley-Cooper's promotion sees Western Force back Scott Staniforth come into the 22 on the reserves bench alongside Mark Gerrard and five forwards - Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles and Phil Waugh. With Waugh starting on the bench, Stirling Mortlock will again captain the side with George Smith as deputy.
The All Blacks have made a number of changes to the starting line-up victorious over the Springboks last week. In-form outside centre Isaia Toeava is out with a bruised shoulder while Aaron Mauger has been named on the bench. Luke McAlister starts at No.12 while Mils Muliaina moves to outside centre with Leon MacDonald starting at fullback. Rico Gear takes over on the wing for Sitiveni Sivivatu, who is being rested after last week's physical encounter in South Africa. In the forwards, Chris Jack comes back into the second-row alongside Troy Flavell to bolster a formidable All Blacks pack.


Form
The Wallabies surprised many by their steely effort in going down by two late drop goals to a red-hot South Africa in Cape Town a fortnight ago. Wins over Wales and Fiji allowed some experimentation by Wallabies coach John Connolly but the result in Cape Town proved Australia is extremely competitive with its best team on the park.
The All Blacks showed their depth and composure to swamp the Springboks late last week for a deserved 26-21 win. They out-thought the big Boks forwards in the lineout and showed that they can produce the goods under pressure to deserve the World's Best tag.

Who's hot
Wallabies prop Matt Dunning had his best game in the green and gold last start but will be tested against the world's best prop Carl Hayman. Dan Vickerman has returned from an extended injury lay-off to produce some sparkling form, particularly in the lineout. Rocky Elsom tackled himself to a standstill last start and will have to do the same against the busy Kiwi forwards. Veteran George Gregan is playing some inspired rugby while Matt Giteau showed how dangerous he is at inside centre.
All Blacks No.8 Rodney So'oialo had a mammoth game last week. He was everywhere in attack and defence, and showed some of his special skills to conjure up the winning try. Richie McCaw and Jerry Collins were also impressive, while Troy Flavell also played well at lock. Hooker Keven Mealamu and prop Tony Woodcock orchestrated some clever lineout play last start and will need to be watched while Joe Rokocoko and Sivivatu were deadly on the wings.

We think
Both sides will go into this contest feeling confident but knowing the All Blacks hold the favourites tag. That being said, the Wallabies current line-up has really only played one Test together in the past 12 months and that was the impressive effort a fortnight ago. There's no doubt, the Australian backs have the class to overpower the re-shuffled All Blacks backline.
So if the Wallabies can do well in the lineout and hold their own in the scrum, a massive MCG crowd might just get the Aussies over the line.


Teams

Qantas Wallabies
1. Matt Dunning, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Guy Shepherdson, 4. Nathan Sharpe, 5. Dan Vickerman, 6. Rocky Elsom, 7. George Smith (vc), 8. Wycliff Palu, 9. George Gregan, 10. Stephen Larkham, 11. Lote Tuqiri, 12. Matt Giteau, 13. Stirling Mortlock (c), 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 15. Julian Huxley.
Reserves: 16. Adam Freier, 17. Al Baxter, 18. Mark Chisholm, 19. Stephen Hoiles, 20. Phil Waugh (vc), 21. Scott Staniforth, 22. Mark Gerrard.
All Blacks
1. Tony Woodcock, 2. Anton Oliver, 3. Carl Hayman, 4. Chris Jack, 5. Troy Flavell, 6. Jerry Collins, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Rodney So'oialo, 9. Byron Kelleher, 10. Dan Carter, 11. Josevata Rokocoko, 12. Luke McAlister, 13. Mils Muliaina, 14. Rico Gear, 15. Leon MacDonald.
Reserves: 16. Keven Mealamu, 17. Neemia Tialata, 18. Ross Filipo, 19. Chris Masoe, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Mauger, 22. Nick Evans.


http://sportal.com.au/default.aspx/r...w-19780/page/1

[Burgs]

With Stanners at #21 (as oppossed to #22) I have a hunch that Knuckles may be going to move Gits to #9 or #10 at some stage with Gerrado to cover the outside four spots.