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OPINION: If All Blacks coach Ian Foster and his players do well in Sydney, that’s the Bledisloe Cup locked up for another year.
The picks and game plan, aligned with Foster and captain Sam Cane demanding that the team be psychologically and physically tuned in for Bledisloe III at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night, have the potential to erase any optimism the Wallabies had. to retrieve the trophy during Dave Rennie’s reunion. first year in charge.
Mark Baker / AP
New Zealand’s Hoskins Sotutu faces Australia’s Tom Banks during the second round of the Bledisloe Cup.
As well as reinforcing that the All Blacks remain the kings of the trans-Tasmanian rugby relationship, it will also ensure that Foster reaches his most significant KPI for 2020.
Ask any former All Blacks coach what it means to retain the Bledisloe Cup – Foster’s predecessor Sir Steve Hansen called it a more significant addition to the trophy cabinet than the Rugby Championship title.
READ MORE:
* All Blacks vs Wallabies: Hoskins Sotutu looms as Ardie Savea’s replacement
* Good news on Joe Moody’s injury as the All Blacks prepare to bring the downsized team to Australia
* All Blacks vs Australia: Ian Foster absorbed with the answer: ‘We put a marker’
Pressure is being put on Foster and Rennie from all angles, but the former remains under increased scrutiny.
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Ian Foster and Dave Rennie will confront their wits at Bledisloe III in Sydney.
Unlike Rennie, who has a contract with Rugby Australia until 2023 and his payers will grant him time to rebuild the Wallabies, Foster must deliver the goodies, and soon.
THREE
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You can start by demanding that when your men put on the tools for Bledisloe III there be no complacency and maximum aggression. If the All Blacks win in Sydney, the remaining game against the Wallabies in Brisbane on November 7 will be a dead rubber.
Foster names his team on Thursday. Changes in the wake of the 27-7 win over the Australians in Auckland on October 18, which followed the draw at 16 in Wellington a week earlier, are inevitable.
Mark Baker / AP
The All Blacks are hoping Joe Moody will receive clearance to travel after his head hit Eden Park.
FIRST ROW
Before departing New Zealand for Sydney, Foster commented that loose head prop Joe Moody, who suffered a concussion at the Auckland test, had been working on head injury assessment protocols.
Foster seemed confident that Moody was on target, but you can’t take chances when it comes to brain injuries.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
All Blacks hooker Dane Coles makes easy yards against the Wallabies.
If he’s fit, Moody is sure to start his 49th test. Alex Hodgman, who played about 50 minutes after Moody was injured and impressed in his test debut, deserves another shot off the bench.
Hooker Dane Coles should start ahead of Codie Taylor to contribute his usual dose of mongrel that every All Blacks front group deserves to have, with Ofa Tuungafasi as the tight-headed mainstay.
Tighthead Nepo Laulala, who was in reserve in Auckland, is not available because he is on duty. Tyrel Lomax could provide coverage, as it did in Wellington when Laulala was unavailable for personal reasons.
Kai Schwoerer / Getty Images
Sam Whitelock did not play in Auckland because he was recovering from a concussion.
LOCKS
Sydney’s job is perfect for Sam Whitelock, who was ruled out of the Auckland match due to a concussion.
The word is that the Whitelock with vast experience is fit for this. Excellent. It gives Rennie and company something else to worry about.
Hagen Hopkins / Getty Images
Tupou Vaa’i may not play the Wallabies in Sydney because more experienced Sam Whitelock is likely to be fit.
Tupou Vaa’i, in his first test run, was good at Eden Park, but if you want to keep the Bledisloe Cup, you don’t have a tank like Whitelock locked in the sty.
It should start alongside Patrick Tuipulotu, with Scott Barrett coming off the bench.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Ardie Savea, who scored a try when the All Blacks defeated the Wallabies 27-7 in Auckland, has given Hoskins Sotutu a chance to start at No. 8 in Sydney.
BACK ROW
With Ardie Savea number 8 staying home after the birth of her second child, it doesn’t make sense to go through all the permutations.
Hoksins Sotutu must start in place of the absent Savea. Simple as that.
Cane, the All Blacks’ best player in both trials, remains on the open flank and Shannon Frizell remains at No. 6.
Sotutu has the size and power to provide as much breakthrough as Savea, though the latter’s form will be hard to match in the breakdown.
Brett Phibbs / AP
Aaron Smith scored a try at Bledisloe I, but it wasn’t enough to prevent a tie at 16.
INSIDE BACK
Aaron Smith stays at number 9. There’s no question.
Another start for Richie Mo’unga in the first five eighths seems inevitable, even though he has more to offer. Like his teammates, he improved a lot in Auckland, but Mo’unga has yet to dominate with his tactical kicking and running game.
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Jack Goodhue can play both midfield positions and is expected to pair him with Anton Lienert-Brown in Sydney.
MIDFIELD
Don’t expect Jack Goodhue and Anton Lienert-Brown to split up. Changing jerseys 12 and 13 to replicate the World Cup partnership would not be an unpopular decision.
Anthony Au-Yeung / Getty Images
Caleb Clarke cannot be left out of the All Blacks’ starting team after his great effort in the 27-7 win over the Wallabies in Auckland.
OUTSIDE BACK
Name on this sheet: Caleb Clarke on the left wing. Second: Beauden Barrett at fullback. Last: Jordie Barrett gets jersey number 14.
The latter may lack top speed compared to other test wings, but its height will prove advantageous if Australians are looking for a game of high kicks through runner Nic White.
Barrett’s big loot, work ethic and confidence suggest that he, his older brother and Clarke could really improve if they get a chance to fight back at ANZ Stadium.
