Ewan McKenzie’s new reign as the Australia head coach starts
with a standard baptism of fire; A game against the All Blacks at home to kick
off the Rugby Championship, and if his Australia side play to their full potential
there’s every chance for this first game of the championship to be a super
thriller.
New Zealand – the best side in the world without a doubt –
come here as understandably hot favourites following a run of success that has
stretched since their World Cup success, and their 3-0 win against France in
the June series confirmed what we already knew while introducing us further to
the talents of youngsters such as Ben Smith – a powerful, rock hard winger who
has impressed with his spacemaking ability so far – and Beauden Barrett, who
has only has a couple of chances but already scored two beautiful tries and
confirmed himself a good backup to Aaron Cruden in the absence of Dan Carter.
Australia were well and truly trashed in the final Lions
test but like most of the heavy beatings they’ve received, they were eviscerated
at the scrum early and were forced to chase the game, which on the cases that
the moves didn’t work out, led to knock-ons and more scrums, which killed the
game in the first half after the Lions’ 1st minute try. The rest of
the series was very different and much more closely contested – one that you
would argue Australia could have won with Matt Tommua at flyhalf rather than
James O’Connor, whose deficiencies in the 10 slot cost the Australians he first
test from a kicking point of view while his direction left something to be
desired. There’s no Quade Cooper surprisingly but Toomua should get the most
out of his men today at least, including Adam Ashley-Cooper and Christian Lealiifano
to name but two.
The Wallabies had a poor record under Deans against the All
Blacks, winning just three of their 18 tests and never holding the Bledisloe
Cup, contested annually by the two countries, but McKenzie’s record against the
Wallabies as assistant coach – Australia won five of its nine Bledisloe Cup
matches – and in Super Rugby with the Tahs and Reds. In any case, Australia’s
home record aginst New Zealand and their lineup suggest this will be a tight
one and they can stay within 6 points even in defeat.
Advice
1 pt Australia +6 (10/11 general)
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