... this afternoon...
...should be the same team that failed to beat the ABs on the weekend...
...focus this weekend on ending a 28 year hoodoo against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
...referee Romain Poite
Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has named an unchanged line-up for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup encounter, convinced the team that drew 12-all in the series opener in Sydney can topple the All Blacks at their Eden Park fortress.
McKenzie resisted calls to reinstate Bernard Foley at five-eighth to retain Kurtley Beale as Australia's chief playmaker as the Wallabies bid to break their 28-year drought in Auckland.
Beale had an influential game in the first Test, kicking all of Australia's points and McKenzie is backing the mercurial match-winner to continue sparking the Wallabies attack in more favourable conditions this weekend.
"We were impressed with the pressure we were able to apply in the opening Test and, despite some errors, were pleased with the intent of the group to continue attacking despite the poor weather conditions," McKenzie said on Tuesday.
"I imagine both teams are excited by the prospect of a dry evening in Auckland on Saturday night, which will have an influence on the way the game is played.
"For us, we know we need to be more clinical in certain areas, but overall we feel the same group of guys deserve the opportunity to have another crack."
Despite sticking with the same 23-man squad from last week, McKenzie said the selection process was tough.
"While we didn't quite get there on Saturday night, I do know that we've made good progress since our first Test against New Zealand a year ago," he said.
"That gives us some confidence heading into what will be an extremely tough challenge in Auckland."
After the Sydney stalemate ended New Zealand's 17-game winning streak, the Wallabies' next challenge is to halt the All Blacks' 14-Test run against them at Eden park.
Australia haven't tasted success at the venue since 1986, while the All Blacks haven't lost in 20 years and 32 Tests at their spiritual home.
But the Wallabies aren't daunted by the Eden Park hoodoo.
"Recent results would suggest Eden Park hasn't been a happy place for Australia and already this week we've seen that not many people are giving us a chance in Auckland," McKenzie said.
"Sporting records are there to be broken and we'll look forward to the opportunity of playing the All Blacks in their own backyard on Saturday night."
Wobblies: Israel Folau, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Nic White, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (capt), Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Sekope Kepu, Nathan Charles, James Slipper. Reserves: James Hanson, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, Will Skelton, Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani.
AAP
mmmm... I thought attack sparked when Foley & Phipps came on... Kind of expected Foley to get gig this weekend... anyway KB keeps them guessing @ 5/8 and unless that massive Low pressure system smashing NSW at the moment decides to go over Auckland this weekend - hopefully have a drier track to see if wallabies are up to it...
I've been talking to lots of nervy kiwis they realise that the aging team is slipping and with Nonu presumably injured makes for an interesting match...
...sounds like your having increasing doubts about McKenzies selections there Redsman...looks like veiled criticism to me mate....but Link obviously a creative genius naming an unchanged side - and props know heaps about backlines as you know... so you should be be just fine mate
Is Mckenzie's ego getting in the way? Foley and Phipps looked better but the coach has gone with the same team as last week - they couldn't get a win on home ground and against a seriously under performing AB side. So they should be fine at Eden park right?
haha funny and predictable responses by the unknowledgeable...
If tis country such a penal colony gonzo... hate to know where nz and sa sit in your mind then... considering so many of your countrymen flock here....
Links got it sorted - interchange foley for toomua or beale depending on circumstacnes... tactical interchange and one thing for sure that McCheat's aging head felt KB's shoulder on the weekend during a desperate tackle...
Links a good coach his record shows it as does Cheika and yes wouldn't mind him being Link successor in the years to come...
And yes Beeno - I do feel a little apprehension re Poite - but got a feeling that the world reffing politics may have turned the corner - couple of yellows to the flagrant foul playing kiwis on the weekend may just have set a precedent and expect more to come...
Pressure is all on the AIG - Aussies got everything to play for and Nonu BIG loss...
In netball ? Rugby league ? Cricket? GOlf ? Surfing ? Swimming?
ohh thats right you guys NEARLY broke the record for most games won - but continue to share that with our saffa buddies... HAHAHAAHAHA lol
