Preview: New Zealand v Australia
NEUTRAL GROUND: The All Blacks have the chance to secure a 3-0 Bledisloe Cup clean sweep for 2018 when they take on Australia in Yokohama, Japan on Saturday.
The two countries will lock horns at the biggest stadium in Japan. Yokohama International Stadium will also host the All Blacks opening game of the Rugby World Cup next year against South Africa as well as the two semifinals and the final. Thus, Steve Hansen will hope his side will use the opportunity against Australia to not only complete a Bledisloe Cup clean sweep but also get used to the conditions and surroundings of a venue they hope to play at least three more games at next year.
With a capacity of over 72 000, Yokohama International Stadium is an imposing venue and the experience of playing on its turf could prove crucial at the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
A good thing for All Blacks is they do have a good record in Japan. In 2009, the All Blacks marched to 32-19 win over the Wallabies in Japan.
And to make things more challenging for the Michael Cheika’s troops is the return of a number of players from injury for New Zealand. The propping stocks have been bolstered by the inclusion of 2015 Rugby World Cup winners Joe Moody and Nepo Laulala while Liam Squire returns to the six jersey and Brodie Retallick is included on the bench.
In the backs, Sonny Bill Williams will line up at second five-eighth for his milestone 50th Test match for the All Blacks and Damian McKenzie takes the fifteen jersey with Ben Smith shifted to the right wing.
While in the Wallabies camp an injury to regular mid-fielder Reece Hodge has forced a re-shuffle in the Wallabies backline. Israel Folau shifts from fullback to centre where he will square off with Ryan Crotty in what shapes as an intriguing mid-field clash.
Originally in the 24-man squad, Pete Samu, soon to be Brumbies flank, has been omitted from the team.
Samu’s omission means Tolu Latu, Sekope Kepu, Taniela Tupou, Rory Arnold, Jack Dempsey, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi and Tom Banks will be Cheika’s finishers.
Despite their almost perfect record over the Wallabies, Hansen believes the opposition’s desperation will make them a tough team to beat.
“We’ll be up against a good Australian team and they’ll be desperate to win, but so are we,” Hansen told reporters.
“We know that they’ll come with a lot of passion and physicality, but our focus this week has been about us and what we want to bring — intensity, skill and a triple threat game.
“Being well prepared, clear in our roles and excited about the opportunity in playing this one-off Test against Australia in Japan, will be a good start in achieving a quality performance,”
Players to watch:
For New Zealand: With this being an opportunity for Steve Hansen to further reevaluate his troops ahead of the November test Series, it will be worth watching some of the new faces and combinations. Damian McKenzie, who was the third choice fullback in the pecking order during the Rugby Championship, will be out to prove a point and cement his spot in the starting XV. McKenzie’s ability to exploit a small gap will be a challenge for the Wallabies. The usual suspects to look out for is the likes of Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty and Sonny Bill Williams. While in the pack Ardie Savea’s work at the breakdown and brute force will keep Wallabies’ loose trio busy.
For Australia: Israel Folau, even if he is at outside centre. His areal prowess and ability to create try-scoring opportunities makes him a wonderful player. And with Kurtley Beale beside him, this could be a game changer. David Pocock is always one to look out for, while Will Genia’s swift, accurate passes always hand his team the advantage.
Head to head: The Centre battle will be intriguing – Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale going up against Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty. The All Blacks duo might hold a slight advantage, giving their familiarity with each other, however, underestimating the Wallaby pair would be foolish.
Recent results:
2018: New Zealand won 40-12, Auckland
2018: New Zealand won 38-13, Sydney
2017: Australia won 23-18, Brisbane
2017: New Zealand won 35-29, Dunedin
2017: New Zealand won 54-34, Sydney
2016: New Zealand won 37-10, Auckland
2016: New Zealand won 29-9, Wellington
2016: New Zealand won 42-8, Sydney
2015: New Zealand won 34-17, Twickenham (RWC Final)
Prediction: Saturday’s Test is the third against Australia this year. The All Blacks won the Bledisloe Cup earlier in the year with 38-13 and 40-12 victories in the Rugby Championship. The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup (played between New Zealand and Australia) since 2003. The All Blacks and Australia have played 187 Tests since 1903, with 131 wins to the All Blacks, 49 to Australia and seven draws. As well as Sonny Bill Williams 50th Test, Aaron Smith will play his 80th Test, Ben Smith will play his 75th and Beauden Barrett will play his 70th. The All Blacks have scored 52 tries so far this year, the most by any top tier country, and have scored the most tries every calendar year since 2010. Rieko Ioane has scored ten of those tries, while Beauden Barrett has scored six. Five of Barrett’s tries were against Australia (with four in the second Bledisloe Cup Test), which equals Ben Smith’s 2013 record of tries scored against Australia. With 114 Tests, All Blacks Captain Kieran Read is the fourth most capped All Black of all time, behind Richie McCaw (148), Keven Mealamu (132) and Tony Woodcock (118).
New Zealand’s dominance in this fixture is set to continue and they will prove too strong for Australia. New Zealand to win by 10 points.
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Perenara, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Ardie Savea, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Richie Mo’unga, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown.
Australia: Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Israel Folau, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Faingaa, 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Tolu Latu, 17 Sekope Kepu, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 Jack Dempsey, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Samu Kerevi, 23 Tom Banks.
Date: Saturday, October 27
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Yokohama
Kick-off: 15.00 (17.00 AEDT; 19.00 NZ time; 06.00 GMT)
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa), Rasta Rasivhenge (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Source: @Rugby365com & @AllBlacks
