Where do the Wallabies have the edge? Bledisloe battles to savour
Rivals against rivals, neighbours against neighbours – regardless of the dominance New Zealand has held over Australia in recent years, every Bledisloe Cup match is looked upon with anticipation. It’s been well documented that the Wallabies have not secured the series in over 15 years – there have been wins here and there throughout that period but it takes consistency to wrestle the Bledisloe off the holders – but no doubt every match the Wallabies players go into they know that they have the class and the firepower to come out triumphant.
This year, more so than recent seasons, the Wallabies have a settled squad and are running hot in the form department – their series victory over England is a testament to that. Across their squad, in fact, they have the men to seriously challenge the All Blacks in almost every facet of the game.
Front Row
Once considered a dire weakness of the side, the Wallabies scrum has improved significantly to the point where it’s now one of their greater strengths. That’s not to suggest that the Australian front row is a one trick pony, however, they’ve got some potent ball runners in the form of Taniela Tupou and Sekope Kepu. In fact, in open play their front-row possibly possess more of a threat than what the All Blacks have on offer – though Codie Taylor may have something to say about that.
The biggest concern for All Blacks fans will be the discipline of their props – with both Joe Moody and Owen Franks spending plenty of time away from the game in recent times due to bans. Although there has been the odd blowout in recent years, the match in Sydney looks like it will be a closer affair – so penalties and yellow cards will be exceptionally costly. If New Zealand can’t keep their discipline in check, there are plenty of kickers in the Wallabies who will be able to take advantage.
Advantage: Wallabies
Loose Forwards
The All Blacks have, unquestionably, one of the most balanced backrows in world rugby. Between Liam Squire, Sam Cane and Kieran Read, New Zealand have ball carriers, ball winners and playmakers aplenty. The Wallabies don’t boast quite as much balance in their loose forwards – but there’s one key area where they obviously stand out above other teams around the world.
With both David Pocock and Michael Hooper on the field, the Wallabies have two of the best fetchers available to disrupt All Blacks ball – whenever a team plays the Wallabies one of the biggest challenges is trying to nullify the threat of the ‘Pooper’ combination. Of course, the Wallabies do give up a bit of bulk in the loose forwards due to using the dual openside tactic – not to mention some height in the lineout – but if the All Blacks are starved of any ball then this will be of little concern to the Wallabies.
Advantage: Even
Halfback
Since his return to Super Rugby this year, Will Genia has reminded everyone in the southern hemisphere that he’s lost none of the speed, sleight of hand or tactical awareness that made him one of the best halfbacks in the world before his departure in 2015.
Unsurprisingly, the Wallabies played by far their best rugby in their June series when Genia was on the field, and his absence in the third test coincided with a bad defeat for Australia.
The All Blacks will, unsurprisingly, trot out Aaron Smith in the 9 jersey. Barring a drop off in form at the end of 2016, Smith has been the clear-cut starting halfback for New Zealand since he burst onto the scene in 2012. Like Genia, his quick delivery offers a huge advantage when his team is on the attack – even if the opposition are given only half a second less to set their defence. The bench is where the All Blacks have the biggest advantage, with TJ Perenara a significantly more useful impact player than Nick Phipps.
Advantage: All Blacks
Midfield
Although question marks may exist regarding the newly formed partnership between Kurtley Beale and Reece Hodge, there is just as little certainty over the All Blacks midfield combination.
Beale is an experienced campaigner now, with over 70 caps under his belt for the Wallabies after first being selected nine years ago. His attacking prowess is menacing but the maturity and sensibility he’s added to his arsenal as a seasoned hand will be invaluable with the relative newcomer Hodge outside him.
Hodge himself is no slouch either and although he’s more a sure bet than a Hail Mary kind of player, his ability to straighten play shouldn’t be underestimated. The Beale-Hodge combination was slick in the Wallabies’ hit-out against the Super Rugby selection last week but how they stand up against the more seasoned professionals in the All Blacks ranks will be a true litmus test.
The Wallabies’ opposition, Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue, are both experienced Super Rugby campaigners but still lack some testing in the international arena – Goodhue in particular. Regardless, the two have forged an impressive combination at the Crusaders over the better part of two years and will hope that this will translate to the international stage. Both players have reliable passes and tend to focus more on getting the ball to the dangerous outside backs at their disposal instead of looking to do it all themselves.
Advantage: Even
Outside Backs
Speaking of dangerous outside backs, the wingers that both teams have on show all have the ability to break the game open and we will no doubt see some tries scored in the wider channels. The All Blacks have opted for a pair of out-and-out wingers in Rieko Ioane and Waisake Naholo who have collectively scored 26 tries in 35 appearances in the black jersey.
They’ll be facing off against at least one power winger in the form of Marika Koroibete, a man whose pace is complemented by his large frame. On the other wing, Dane Haylett-Petty will showcase his wide skill-set. Curiously, the All Blacks have erred away from the usual fullback-cum-wing that they normally plant on the right side of the field – but the Wallabies have adopted this tactic with great results in recent times.
At fullback, arguably the two best 15s in the world will oppose each other – Ben Smith and Israel Folau.
Advantage: All Blacks
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Comments on RugbyPass
guys its fine! he understands why he did what he did and has taken accountability for it; why should he have to be accountable to a court? after all he did was abuse people in person - its not as if he was engaging in _online_ abuse!
1 Go to commentsChiefs flanker Kaylum Boshier yellow-carded for collapsing the scrum as it rolled towards the line. It was a maul….
1 Go to commentsyou know, i’m a leinster fan so I want Northampton to lose and it is gonna be tuff with Cortney lawes, Alex michell and the other guys🏉 lets go leinster🏉
1 Go to commentsWelcome to the Pro ranks. Those hard teams of old do hit the sole better though. its a dog fight at the top.
6 Go to commentsCan someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
227 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
3 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
86 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
30 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
227 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
227 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to comments