TRI-NATIONS:AUSTRALIA COACH Robbie Deans is confident his team will be contenders at next year's World Cup in New Zealand, even if he is not around to lead them.
“Regardless of the outcome at the weekend, there’s no doubt this time will serve this group well,” Deans told reporters as the Wallabies began their preparations for their Tri-Nations clash with the All Blacks in Christchurch tomorrow.
“I can tell you that in 14 months, they’ll be there (peaking). Whether I’m there or not is other people’s decisions, it doesn’t matter. I’m tasked with getting this group into the optimum state at that point.”
While Australia Rugby Union chief executive John O’Neill has publicly supported Deans to see the Wallabies through until the World Cup, the coach’s frank admission highlighted the pressure he is under to reverse an eight-game losing streak at the hands of Graham Henry’s All Blacks when they clash at Lancaster Park.
As if that is not enough pressure, it will be the first time the former Canterbury Crusaders coach has returned with the Wallabies to his home town since he crossed the Tasman after securing his fifth Super rugby title with the Crusaders in 2008.
The Test will also be the first rugby international match at the ground since the new Deans Stand, named after his family for their contribution to Canterbury rugby, was officially opened earlier this year.
The All Blacks have been impressive in their performances so far during the Tri-Nations, playing a quick-tempo, yet brutally confrontational and highly-skilled style, that has attracted plaudits from fans, the media and opposing coaches. They have won all three of their matches with bonus points, which includes a seven-try romp in their 49-28 win over a 14-man Wallabies in Melbourne last week, and could wrap up their fifth Tri-Nations title in six years if they win tomorrow and score four or more tries.
Apart from the result, one of the areas that will be keenly watched will be whether anyone is yellow carded, after each of the four Tri-Nations matches so far have been blighted with players from either sides spending time in the sin bin.
Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell was also sent off last week for receiving two yellow cards, though the International Rugby Board referees chief Paddy O’Brien said the first yellow had been a mistake. Assistant referee Cobus Wessels was subsequently demoted to the television match official role for the Christchurch match because his advice led to Mitchell’s first yellow in Melbourne.
“In the Tri-Nations to date that’s an area that’s had a significant impact on the competition,” Deans said of the number of yellow cards issued. “So I guess there are people in places who look at that and say ‘is this really what we want the public to see . . . a contest of 15 on 14?’. But from our perspective the laws are what they are, it’s important we don’t get on the wrong side of those and leave ourselves vulnerable.”
Australia’s Faingaa twins will both start the game, Anthony having displaced Berrick Barnes at centre and Saia replacing Stephen Moore at hooker. The Faingaas became the 40th set of brothers to represent Australia at Test level when they came off the bench in last week’s 49-28 defeat to New Zealand in Melbourne and will start a Test together for the first time in Christchurch.
Barnes, who came into the starting side last week as a replacement for suspended outhalf Quade Cooper, joins Moore on the bench.
Kurtley Beale comes in at fullback, with Adam Ashley Cooper moving to outside centre in place of the injured Rob Horne. The latter joined Australia’s list of casualties when he was ruled out for the season with an elbow injury sustained in Melbourne. Winger Cameron Shepherd is the new addition to the replacements and will be hoping to win his 10th cap tomorrow.
Piri Weepu will start at scrumhalf for the All Blacks after reclaiming his place from the injured Jimmy Cowan. The return of Weepu, who was relegated to the bench last week after missing some training because of the birth of his first child, is one of three changes to the squad.
Cowan’s rib injury means a place on the bench for halfback Alby Mathewson, while Australian-born back Benson Stanley comes in for Israel Dagg among the replacements.
NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Maa Nonu, Joe Rokocoko; Daniel Carter, Piri Weepu; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Brad Thorn, Tom Donnelly, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (captain), Kieran Read. Replacements: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks, Sam Whitelock, Victor Vito, Alby Mathewson, Aaron Cruden, Benson Stanley.
AUSTRALIA: Kurtley Beale; James OConnor, Adam Ashley Cooper, Anthony Faingaa, Drew Mitchell; Matt Giteau, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Saia Faingaa, Salesi Maafu, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom (captain), David Pocock, Richard Brown. Replacements: Stephen Moore, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Cameron Shepherd.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa).
