Bledisloe Cup - Game 3 Preview
7pm AEST Saturday 21 October 2017
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
We've got one more against the old enemy before we wrap up the domestic Tests. Here are the talking points.
Dare to dream?
Should we possibly dare to dream that the upset is possible? It seems foolish to even contemplate, but there are just a couple of signs that maybe this is one the Wallabies couple sneak away with. The All Blacks will be without a number of key players, and they don't come any more key than Beauden Barrett. Going in without the world's best number 10 would hurt any team, and the Kiwis are not immune. Of course, Lima Sopoaga would walk into the Aussie flyhalf spot, but that doesn't change the fact that New Zealand is a different team with him steering the ship. While you wouldn't call this a second string Kiwi team, it is certainly weakened, and the Australians will sense an opportunity in that.
The Wallabies, meanwhile, will be feeling pretty good with the trajectory of their Rugby Championship. While clearly having plenty still to work on, this team is certainly better than the one that was thrashed in Sydney, and also the one that nearly pulled off an upset in Dunedin. They are playing better football for longer periods of time across matches, and the skill level has also improved. And of course, this is a dreaded dead rubber, and we know anything can happen in these matches. So perhaps it is naively optimistic, but there is a sense that if ever an upset might be possible, this could just be it.
More of the same
With the exception of a forced change, we will again see a very similar Wallaby team take the field on Saturday night. This is just reward for a number of good performers, most notably Jack Dempsey and Marika Koroibete, who have demanded selection with their most recent efforts. The challenge for Dempsey in particular is to hold that form against the Kiwis, and ensure he is the first choice number 6 for the Spring Tour.
On the bench, many thought Karmichael Hunt might come back into the 23 at the expense of Henry Speight, but the winger has kept his place. Surely he is getting close to using up his chances, though, as he has struggled to make an impact and offers no versatility. Expect Hunt to be back there by the time the team lands at Heathrow.
Pass or fail?
This game will dictate how the Wallabies’ domestic season will be judged. A win, or a close loss, will earn them a pass mark, but another insipid loss will consign 2017 to the garbage bin. Cheika has found his team, he has bully the depth, now he needs the results. Perhaps it won't come this weekend, but the Wallabies with the 13.5 start might be just the ticket. Let's keep our fingers crossed the weather in Brisbane clears, and we get another cracking Test match to end the home season, as well as one final chance to salute former captain Stephen Moore, playing his last Test on home soil.
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Enjoy your rugby!
Words: Cameron Stokes
