Bledisloe Cup opening match: Wallabies must cover weak spots to overcome All Blacks juggernaut

THE Wallabies have two obvious frailties and the All Blacks will do everything within their power to expose them in the opening Bledisloe Cup contest at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.

Kurtley Beale needs to build a strong rapport with Reece Hodge. Picture: Getty.

LINEOUT throwing and midfield defence.

The opening Bledisloe Cup match will be won and lost by these two factors.

Australia’s obvious frailties are at hooker and centre.

It’s probable they’ll opt for Tolu Latu to start at hooker, with Tatafu Polota-Nau coming off the bench.

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Kurtley Beale needs to build a strong rapport with Reece Hodge. Picture: Getty.

And they’ll likely opt for Kurtley Beale and Reece Hodge as their new centre combination.

Latu is a beast on the ground in defence and over the ball, runs hard, and can hold up a scrum reasonably well.

But his lineout throwing has been hit and miss for some time, and the All Blacks’ trio of Sam Whitelock, Brodie Rettalick and Kieran Read will be pressuring every throw.

Polota-Nau has a far steadier throw, but has not played a Test since last November, and has barely thrown to likely Wallabies starting lock Izack Rodda.

In the cauldron of the Bledisloe arena against the world champions, this will test all of Polota-Nau’s mettle and experience.

Australia must have clean, quick ball from the lineout to unleash their creative backline moves.

The vast majority of tries in today’s game stem from first phase set play, and the Wallabies have the backs to carve open New Zealand’s defence given the right circumstances.

But if they’re nullified at the lineout, the Wallabies will face an uphill battle to score the necessary points to panic their foes.

As important will be the trust between Beale and Hodge in defence.

The pair have never started a Test match together in the centres, with Hodge largely playing his 27 Tests on the wing.

Tolu Latu looks favourite for the hooker role. Picture: Getty.

In the corresponding match in Sydney last year, the All Blacks ruthlessly exposed the uncertain defence of Beale and centre partner Samu Kerevi, racing to a 40-6 lead by halftime to crush Australia’s spirit.

Tevita Kuridrani was brought in for the ensuing match and added more defensive prowess in a narrow loss in Dunedin.

Beale and Kuridrani were firing by the third Bledisloe - with Beale producing one of his best defensive displays to shut down Sonny Bill Williams - as Australia won 23-18.

Now, with Kuridrani and Kerevi both injured, the Wallabies must start again with another new combination.

Jack Maddocks looks set for a bench role on Saturday night. Picture: Getty.

And to exploit this, the All Blacks are set to field the starting centre duo of Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue, who have played with each other week in, week out for the past two years at the Crusaders, winning back-to-back Super Rugby titles.

Australia is set to hand Melbourne youngster Jack Maddocks a Test debut off the bench as a back three option.

Likely Wallabies team: 15. Israel Folau 14. Dane Haylett-Petty 13. Reece Hodge 12. Kurtley Beale 11. Marika Koroibete 10. Bernard Foley 9. Will Genia 8. David Pocock 7. Michael Hooper (captain) 6. Lukhan Tui 5. Adam Coleman 4. Izack Rodda 3. Sekope Kepu 2. Tolu Latu 1. Scott Sio.

Reserves: 16. Tatafu Polota-Nau 17. Tom Roberston 18. Taniela Tupou 19. Rob Simmons 20. Ned Hanigan 21. Nick Phipps 22. Matt Toomua 23. Jack Maddocks.

Likely All Blacks team: 15. Jordie Barrett 14. Ben Smith 13. Jack Goodhue 12. Ryan Crotty 11. Rieko Ioane 10. Beauden Barrett 9. Aaron Smith 8. Kieran Read (captain) 7. Sam Cane 6. Liam Squire 5. Sam Whitelock 4. Brodie Rettalick 3. Owen Franks 2. Codie Taylor 1. Joe Moody.

Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe 18. Ofa Tuungafasi 19. Scott Barrett 20. Ardie Savea 21. TJ Perenara 22. Damian McKenzie 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.

Originally published as Bledisloe Cup opening match: Wallabies must cover weak spots to overcome All Blacks juggernaut