Horan, Kafer back selection decisions ahead of Bledisloe Cup
AHEAD of the all important Bledisloe Cup, two Wallaby greats have backed Michael Cheika’s new-look Test side to create opportunities against the Kiwis.
WITH seven changes to the starting side for tonight’s all important Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks, Wallaby greats Tim Horan and Rod Kafer have backed a fresh side to create new opportunities for the Wallaby attack.
The biggest debate in Australian rugby in recent weeks has followed whether Wallaby coach Michael Cheika would make the impossible decision to start either Michael Hooper or David Pocock, or to take the gamble of starting a Test with two openside flankers.
With the release of the team earlier this week, our questions were finally answered as Pocock was handed the responsibility of a positional change and moved to number 8.
Speaking at the Fox Sports launch of the Rugby World Cup, former Wallaby Tim Horan said playing with two opensides will give the Wallabies an edge at the breakdown.
“I reckon it’s a good call. I think you have got to have those two guys on the field all the time. Scott Fardy will probably be the one that will be replaced. I think the way Pocock has come off the bench the last couple of weeks you have got to have him starting,” Horan told news.com.au.
“The game has changed a bit in the last few years, and sides are now willing to throw the ball right across the width of the field. With one openside you can’t cover that — with two you can cover it and it makes a huge difference.”
Rod Kafer told news.com.au the combination of Pocock and Hooper would provide the All Blacks with an interesting challenge in formulating their game plan for the all important Test match.
“Those two blokes in tandem, I’m really interested to see how that goes. One of two things will happen, either the All Blacks don’t play it correctly and we really get the advantage of that, or the All Blacks kick the ball intelligently and understand how they really need to play — pull up our backline and then kick well to the corners, that will put us under pressure,” Kafer said.
“He’s got two players in great form. When you have guys in great form you have got to give them a chance — even when its not quite right, form outweighs that. I think there is that element in his mind definitely.
“Cheika is an ex back-rower, he knows the backrow as well as any. Looking at Pocock, who often plays like a number 8, I don’t think there is a problem with him fulfilling that role.”
Cheika has also opted for Dean Mumm and James Horwill in the second row, pushing the forceful Will Skelton to the bench. Despite losing an obvious element of size, the Wallaby pack will be better suited to the lumbering Waratahs second-rower coming off the bench, according to Kafer.
“Size is an issue, absolutely. Skelton gives them impact off the bench, and I think that is the right place for Will Skelton. He’s not a starter at the moment.
“As a starter, if he is given too much time fatigue sets in for him. Particularly considering Test football is so much faster than Super Rugby, so fatigue gets him and his work rate really drops off. Coming off the bench though, he can have a real impact. It is an ideal role for him,” Kafer said.
“I think if we can deal with being undersized, then we should be ok.”
As is always the case when any team plays the All Blacks, set piece will be vital in gaining momentum for the Wallabies. Horan said the Kiwis will look to pressure the new front row combination of Scott Sio, Stephen Moore and Sekope Kepu.
“It will be tough, it’s always tough against the All Blacks. You will see in the first scrum how hard the All Blacks are going to make it. From the first scrum they will try to put a nail through straight away. If it’s their ball, they will hold the ball at the back and just drive it forward to try to force the penalty, and that’s just a psychological win.”
Described by Horan as the “find of the Super Rugby season”, All Black debutant Nehe Milner-Skudder has been identified as a significant attacking threat.
“He’s a wonderful player. Defensively, that’s where the Wallabies can potentially try and centre their attack, and also some high balls down his way, but when he has ball in hand he can be dangerous. All in all he was the find of Super Rugby,” said Horan.
The Wallabies will look to direct a significant percentage of their attack to the 24-year-old’s wing, who was occasionally found out in defence during the Super Rugby season.
However Australia may be subject to a similar threat, as Kafer is concerned a heavy All Blacks pack is likely to target the smaller stature inside backs in Bernard Foley and Matt Giteau.
“My concern is the small stature 10 and 12 — there will be a lot of traffic going into that area. There’s no question the All Blacks will target those guys in terms of carries. Sonny Bill Williams will be looking to offload in and around those areas and we will see a lot of pressure coming into those spots.”
The Wallabies will host the All Blacks at ANZ Stadium in Sydney tonight. The game will kick off at 8:05pm AEST.
WALLABIES
1. Scott Sio
2. Stephen Moore, Captain
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Dean Mumm
5. James Horwill
6. Scott Fardy
7. Michael Hooper
8. David Pocock
9. Nick Phipps
10. Bernard Foley
11. Drew Mitchell
12. Matt Giteau
13. Tevita Kuridrani
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper
15. Israel Folau
Reserves
16. Tatafu Polota-Nau
17. James Slipper
18. Greg Holmes
19. Will Skelton
20. Ben McCalman
21. Nic White
22. Matt Toomua
23. Kurtley Beale
ALL BLACKS
1. Tony Woodcock
2. Dane Coles
3. Owen Franks
4. Brodie Retallick
5. Luke Romano
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Kieran Read
9. Aaron Smith
10. Daniel Carter
11. Julian Savea
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Conrad Smith
14. Nehe Milner-Skudder
15. Ben Smith
Reserves:
16. Codie Taylor
17. Ben Franks
18. Nepo Laulala
19. Samuel Whitelock
20. Sam Cane
21. TJ Perenara
22. Beauden Barrett
23. Malakai Fekitoa