Rugby: Wallabies anticipating Richie Mo’unga starting in the top five, but preparing for ‘shocking picks’

The Wallabies think they know who to expect in the # 10 All Blacks jersey Sunday afternoon.

There is much debate about selection in various areas on the All Blacks team ahead of their first Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Wellington, and the highest profile comes in at first receiver, with Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga battling it out. for the paper. .

Mo’unga was the top pick at 10 during the 2019 Rugby World Cup with Barrett as fullback, and it would be plausible that the selectors would return with the Crusader after a standout year in another Super Rugby title-winning season.

Wallabies assistant coach Matt Taylor says both men are exceptional talents.

“World-class players. You’d think Mo’unga will start, maybe with Aaron Smith, but that doesn’t mean [the All Blacks] You can have some selection changes or try different people early in your preparation. We think Mo’unga will probably start. “

Barrett returning to his position as fullback is a likely option, but if the form is solely to keep going, his case has a hard time competing with that of his younger brother Jordie and Will Jordan, who have been the top two outside running backs in 2020.

Putting the winning records in the mix adds some spice to the debate. Mo’unga has won seven out of 10 events starting in the top five for New Zealand, while Barrett has won 37 out of 43 starting at 10, resulting in an 86 percent winning percentage.

The Wallabies may prefer Mo’unga as a starter, with their 47-26 demolition of the All Blacks last year with Mo’unga in the top five. On the other hand, they have never beaten the All Blacks when Barrett starts there.

Regardless of who’s there, Taylor knows they have a lot of work to do.

“We all know the attacking ability of the All Blacks,” he says.

“We have to nail our systems, we have implemented some new systems and we have tried to put those systems under pressure in this environment, but the real test will be how well it has been integrated this weekend. Part of that is the mindset and pacing of job “.

Taylor says there is an element of mystery attached to the test, with how both sides will align.

“[We’re both] Looking fresh in a way, the All Blacks coaching group is new and they also have some young and exciting players in their ranks. We are probably having a bit of a guessing game between both teams.

“We don’t know how the All Blacks are going to operate, so we’ve really focused on ourselves.

“I think you will certainly see a change in the way the Wallabies operate from maybe how it was in the past. You have to have a balance in your game.”