Michael Cheika not going to make same mistake as in 2015, names almost unchanged side for Bledisloe decider
The Wallabies are embracing their hunger to bring home the Bledisloe Cup and the challenge coming from the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.
Australia will return with the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002 if they can end their 33-year hex at Eden Park with a win or a draw.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said there had been times in the past when they had tried to pass off a Bledisloe Cup decider as just another game.
Australia won or drew the first Test in 2007, 2008, 2014 and 2015 but came up well short in the subsequent Tests to ensure the coveted trophy remained in Kiwi hands.
After retaining the same line-up which trounced the All Blacks 47-26 in Perth, apart from Adam Coleman replacing injured lock Rory Arnold, Cheika said they were no longer shying away from one of rugby’s toughest tasks.
“The Bledisloe Cup means a lot when you have it and a lot when you don’t have it and that pursuit of trying to get it, Cheika said on Thursday.
“Sometimes you sit off and try to defer it and say, ‘It’s just another game’ but that’s only hiding from the fact.
“We haven’t had it for a long time and we’re hungry to go there and do our best to try and take the trophy.
“We know we were going to come up against an excellent opponent who’s going to be ready to go as well.”
While Arnold was ruled out with a hand injury, Cheika said the decision to keep the same starting XV was an easy call.
“It was pretty straightforward – we wanted to give those guys another opportunity,” he said.
“We made a few changes in the first couple of games so why not try and back those guys up – they are hungry for it.”
Among the three changes to the bench, uncapped flanker Liam Wright replaces Luke Jones, with the return date for injured star David Pocock pushed back to their Test against Samoa.
Test veteran Adam Ashley-Cooper, 35, replaces Tom Banks as outside backs cover and will make his first Wallabies appearance of the year, and play his 118th Test if called upon.
It is the second-most experienced bench in Wallabies history, boasting 474 combined caps.
In 2015 when the Wallabies won their first Test in Sydney to position themselves for a Bledisloe Cup win, Cheika made sweeping changes with the World Cup in mind and the outcome was a heavy loss.
He said because of the changes he made in the early Rugby Championship games he didn’t feel they needed to experiment further.
“If I think back to then (2015) we probably didn’t change as many players in the first couple of games … you just go with feel,” Cheika said.
“There’s so much logic these days, so much data sometimes you’ve got to go with feel and it just felt right to go with the same team more or less and let them build on what they did last week and in all the training they’ve done.”
Eden Park has proved an Australian rugby graveyard since 1986, when the Wallabies last tasted victory.
Cheika said they weren’t hiding from the hoodoo.
“There’s no point in hiding from anything – we know that that’s a big challenge but if you want to make change, one person has to start to say, ‘this is going to change’ and then next person will join him.
“You’re allowed to understand the history of the event, the game, the trophy and the venue and not be worried about it.
“The way I see it, it’s a privilege to be a part of.”
Wallabies: Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, James O’Connor, Samu Kerevi, Reece Hodge, Christian Lealiifano, Nic White, Isi Naisarani, Michael Hooper (c), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Allan Alaalatoa, Tolu Latu, Scott Sio. Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Liam Wright, Will Genia, Matt Toomua, Adam Ashley-Cooper.
– AAP
Comments on RugbyPass
Why do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
14 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
14 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
14 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
14 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
14 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
14 Go to comments