The Springboks vs Lions decider is not the only big test match on Saturday. Earlier in the day, New Zealand and Australia will meet in Auckland for the opening game of the Bledisloe Cup. This game does not form part of the Rugby Championship but it is the first game of the Bledisloe Cup series.
Looking at the teams, the All Blacks appear so much stronger on paper that one would expect them to put 60 points over this Wallaby team but let's see what happens. The Wallabies have not considered Marika Koroibete, Isi Naisarani or Pone Fa'amuasili for selection due to a disciplinary breach which weakens them further and to be honest, Taniela Tupou (only on the bench) is the only Wallaby in their entire match 23 who would conceivably make the All Black squad. Don't think we've ever seen the teams so one-sided . . . on paper anyway.
Just look at the All Black bench including all three Barrett brothers. That is some serious depth.
Judge for yourself which team looks stronger:
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 David Havili, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Samuel Whitelock (c), 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Jordie Barrett
Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Matt To’omua, 23 Reece Hodge
Captain18,117 posts
05 Aug 2021, 13:53
#1
05 Aug 2021, 13:53#1
