Wallabies choose same 15 to face NZ
The returns to the bench of lock Dan Vickerman, halfback Luke Burgess and winger Lachie Turner are the only changes to the Wallabies match night squad, named on Thursday for Saturday night's Tri-Nations Test and Bledisloe Cup opener against the All Blacks in Auckland.
Both sides recorded bonus-point wins in their first Tri-Nations outings, with the All Blacks fresh off a 40-7 thumping of South Africa in Wellington.
Australia will field the same starting combination as that which beat South Africa 39-20 in Sydney two weeks ago.
Burgess returns to understudy Will Genia, after completing his recovery from a fractured hand, which he suffered in training before the Waratahs Super Rugby semi-final defeat.
After performing strongly through 80 minutes for his Sydney University club last weekend, Vickerman is back on the bench, from where he made his return to Test rugby last month against Samoa.
The 30 minutes Vickerman played from the bench during that match represented his first taste of Test rugby since 2008, after he recently returned following a period studying in England.
That appearance was his 56th in Tests, which means the Wallabies have traded one experienced campaigner for another, as Vickerman has taken the place on the bench previously allocated to Western Force captain Nathan Sharpe.
The third change amongst the run on reserves sees NSW Waratahs wing/fullback Lachie Turner slot in, with the Australian selectors reverting to the traditional four-forward, three-back split on the substitutes bench.
Deans said the changes represented a horses for courses approach.
"Burgess and Turner have both worked their way back into contention and have shown that they are now ready to go, while Vickerman really stepped up in training last week, and reinforced that for Sydney Uni on the weekend. This is a contest we believe he is well suited to," Deans said.
The change in emphasis amongst the run-ons, Deans said, highlighted the difference in nature between an Australia-New Zealand and Australia-South Africa Test.
"You saw the differences in approach last weekend," Deans says.
"For the South Africans, it's physicality first, second and third.
"The All Blacks employ more width and rely on speed of recycle and movement. They play the game wider and faster, which is why the extra speed and additional backline resources are required on the bench."
Although the All Blacks' record at Auckland is imposing, Deans successfully mastered Eden Park during his period as a coach at provincial level in New Zealand, and said his team was ready for the challenge.
"It's about now rather than the history.
"The All Blacks do draw strength from their record at the ground, but playing at Eden Park is not something to be feared. It's a challenge and an opportunity to be embraced and enjoyed.
"A lot of visiting teams will be aspiring to achieve something special at Eden Park this year (the venue for October's World Cup final). This weekend, we're the lucky ones - we get first crack!" Deans said.
The Wallabies head into the match on the back of a strong win over South Africa as well as a week-and-a-half of quality preparation at The Southport School on the Gold Coast, during the recent training camp.
New Zealand have not dropped a Test match at Eden Park for 17 years, while Australia last won a Test in New Zealand a decade ago and have not won in Auckland for 25 years.
The game, which will be refereed by Craig Joubert of South Africa, kicks off at 5.35pm (AEST) on Saturday.
Wallabies team:
15. Kurtley Beale, 14. James O'Connor, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Pat McCabe, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. David Pocock, 6. Rocky Elsom (Capt), 5. James Horwill, 4. Rob Simmons, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Sekope Kepu.
Run on Reserves:
16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Pekahou Cowan, 18. Dan Vickerman, 19. Scott Higginbotham, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Anthony Faingaa, 22. Lachie Turner
Post a comment about this article
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Becoming a member is free and easy, sign up here.