Rugby: Wallabies coach Dave Rennie reveals the only selection made by Ian Foster that surprised him

The All Blacks will line up a rather familiar team for the opening round of the Bledisloe Cup on Sunday, but within it are some bits of controversy.

So much so that Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was caught off guard by a call from his opponent.

For his first tryout as head of the All Blacks, Ian Foster chose a baseline that continued Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett’s experiment of double play that was used throughout the 2019 season.

Rieko Ioane will accompany Jack Goodhue in midfield, while George Bridge and Aaron Smith will maintain their positions on the left wing and in midfield.

However, on the right edge will be the typical fullback Jordie Barrett, prompting Rennie to raise his eyebrows.

“I think the only guy he didn’t have there was Jordie Barrett on the wing,” he says.

“I thought Anton Lienert-Brown would be 12, maybe take Goodhue out and have Rieko on the wing. But Jordie has been in such good shape, I think they need to find a place for him.”

Barrett’s started three games per wing for the All Blacks and has scored five tries, including four against Italy in Rome in late 2018. But his last appearance on the edge was off the bench against England in the semi-finals of the 2019 Rugby World Cup. ., a defeat that ended New Zealand’s hopes of a third consecutive World Cup victory.

In his two appearances against the Wallabies, Barrett came off the bench to cover the fullback and the top five.

Barrett’s selection also partially forces some key names out of Matchday 23. With TJ Perenara, Lienert-Brown and rookie Caleb Clarke filling jerseys 21-23, Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece and Will Jordan are missing.

Regardless, Rennie sees that quality runs throughout the park.

“It’s an amazing side,” he says.

“There are not many weaknesses there. We are going to have to defend very well, and defend during long passages. We need to be really aggressive to try to force them to kick or try to turn them around.”

The inclusion of Barrett will add a third playmaking option alongside his older brother and Mo’unga, should that be needed. It also means that there is no coverage for the first receiver from the bank.

Rennie anticipates that the Wallabies defense will be worked hard against a powerful attack.

“We have a plan … we are very aware of the power and the game that the All Blacks will play,” he says.

“We’ve put a lot of emphasis on defense, we know that’s going to be really important. Teams that have beaten the All Blacks in the past have limited them to less than 15-16 points, so that’s our challenge.”

Meanwhile, the Wallabies have chosen an additional playmaker to facilitate the attack, with James O’Connor starting in the first five and Matt To’omua at inside center.