Ewan McKenzie’s career with Australia hasn’t gotten off to
the best start on the form figures but only a fool would expect two wins in two
against New Zealand and today’s home game against South Africa in Brisbane is a
much more realistic starting point for the new man in charge.
Australia were decimated in Sydney and comfortably held the
following week but what many people forget is the impressive attacking shows
they were able to put on, contributing to a thrilling game with 29 points of
their own, before c leaving New Zealand with a respectable 27-16 defeat. That
score could have been yet closer had a whole host of Wallaby attacks not ended
in New Zealand penalties – a key part of the All Blacks’ success – or in
cynical stoppages to stop momentum.
Nobody is saying that playing South Africa – emphatic
winners against Argentina by 60 points and then winners by a less than two
scores just a week later – will be an easy task for the Wallabies, but they’ve
shown enough in the first two games to be optimistic about the rest of the
championship.
The loss off James Horwill is a hammer blow for all tat his
replacement Kane Dogulas is no slouch, and the return to test rugby for Quade
Cooper – the biggest story of the match beforehand – could do anything for the
Wallabies’s attacking fortunes. Cooper has imploded at some points, but his
Super Rugby season was one of the highest quality and there couldn’t be a
better place for him to come back than Suncorp Stadium – Australia’s strongest
home ground and the Reds’s stronghold where he’s worked with such strong effect
with Ewan Mckenzie and halfback partner Will Genia, outstanding in the Lions sides
and the first two Blesidoe Cup games – moving Israel Folau to flyhalf may also
be a helpful move to return the high ball and add pace from deep.
South Africa looked too good to be true in Johannesburg but
were able to call upon tried and tested resilience for their win last week.
That was their eighth on the bounce, a clear sign that they are finding their
feet under Meyer, and the return of Zane Kirchener and moving of Le Roux to the
wing is an excellent backline move, but they must improve on their Mendoza
performance to take on Australia and could be vulnerable if sending lone
forwards into contact like they did last week.
There’s a worry that the scrum will be taken apart once
again and that their efforts at the breakdown need serious improvement, but
they should be able to impose their speed and technique on the game more this
weekend against a side with which they hold a strong home record and they can
get on the winning trail – take the 7/4 about them winning by 1/12 points.
Advice
2 pts Australia to win by 1-12 (13/8 Winner, Bet365)
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