Ewen McKenzie talks tactics with Matt Toomua and James O’Connor at Wallaby training

by Paul Cook –

A new era dawns for the Wallabies on Saturday night as Ewen McKenzie’s new look side takes to the field for the first of their Bledisloe Cup double headers which mark the start of the incoming coaches’ reign, the hopes of a fresh period of success in Australian rugby history lying firmly in their hands.

As rumoured, Matt Toomua has edged out the returning Quade Cooper to make his test debut in the all important no.10 jersey for the game against the All Blacks as McKenzie rewards the Super Rugby runners-up from the Brumbies with dominance in the matchday 23. Toomua is joined in the run-on side by team mates Stephen Moore, Ben Alexander, Ben Mowen, Christian Leali’ifano and Jesse Mogg while fellow debutants Scott Sio, Scott Fardy, Nic White and Tevita Kuridrani will be warming the bench and looking to play their own part as the game unfurls.

In all, there are six changes to the side that started the last test against the British & Irish Lions in June (8 from the entire 23), with the international retirement of George Smith and injuries to Kurtley Beale and Wycliff Palu, the only alterations forced upon McKenzie. Cooper, Liam Gill (Queensland Reds) and Hugh McMeniman (Western Force) are the other incomers.  Positionally, Ben Mowen shifts from no.6 to the back of the scrum to replace Palu while James O’Connor’s dabble at flyhalf appears to be at an end as the utility back – still searching for a professional contract – resumes one of his previous roles on the wing.

Big Week: Tevita Kuridrani’s naming on the bench follows on from his award as the Brumbies Most Outstanding New Talent for 2013 last weekend

Toomua’s selection represents the culmination of a long and arduous journey for the 23-year-old, who has had to wait four years for the chance to don the green and gold again following his injury curtailed appearance in a midweek game against the Cardiff Blues back in 2009. McKenzie said his place was just reward for a string of sterling performances for the Brumbies throughout 2013.

“We could have gone many different ways at flyhalf as we have a lot of good options there, but in the end we see some great tactical opportunities starting the game with Matt,” McKenzie said. “To his credit, Matt has had a really good season and he has been playing up until last week in a team that made the Super Rugby Final.  He’s done a lot of good things and there isn’t any reason he doesn’t deserve a go.”

However, the coach also hinted that Quade Cooper could still play a pivotal role off the bench for the Wallabies as they look to secure what would be only their third win over their trans-Tasman rivals in the last eighteen attempts. “It’s obvious that each of our playmaking options have different styles so it’s important that we’re looking to get the best out of their individual strengths at different stages of the game,” he said.

He also scoffed at any suggestions the team may be a tad inexperienced for a game of such magnitude. “The fact that five guys haven’t played a Test before isn’t a concern,” he said. “Everyone has to start from somewhere and we definitely haven’t picked them on one game. Rather, they are starting their Test careers off the back of consistently strong performances at a provincial level.

“When we picked the team we didn’t spend one minute looking at how many Test caps a player had or the number of debutants,” he continued. “It was picked on performance over a sustained period of time and on how we want to play the game. The reality is that whether it’s in Super Rugby or the Test arena, all our guys have a lot of familiarity with who we are playing against.  I see that as a positive as we aren’t playing anyone we don’t already know a lot about.”

The proof will certainly be in the pudding come Saturday night but with a fresh wind blowing through Wallaby HQ and the absence through injury of Messrs Carter and Messam for the All Blacks, belief may just be building amongst the Australian faithful of a positive start to the new regime.

Qantas Wallabies side to face New Zealand on Saturday 17th August at 8pm, ANZ Stadium, Sydney

1. James Slipper (Reds); 2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies); 3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies); 4. Rob Simmons (Reds); 5. James Horwill (C) (Reds); 6. Hugh McMeniman (Force); 7. Michael Hooper (Waratahs); 8. Ben Mowen (Brumbies); 9. Will Genia (Reds); 10. Matt Toomua (Brumbies); 11. James O’Connor (unattached); 12. Christian Leali’ifano (Brumbies); 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs); 14. Israel Folau (Waratahs); 15. Jesse Mogg (Brumbies)

Replacements: Saia Fainga’a (Reds); Scott Sio (Brumbies); Sekope Kepu (Waratahs); Scott Fardy (Brumbies); Liam Gill (Reds); Nic White (Brumbies); Quade Cooper (Reds); Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)