FIVE WALLABIES TO PUT YOUR FAITH IN FOR BLEDISLOE CUP II IN DUNEDIN
* STEPHEN MOORE
The former skipper is playing his last Test match on New Zealand soil and is desperate leave a winner. Moore’s record against the All Blacks is dreary — he has lost 24 of 28 matches and has never tasted victory on the other side of the Tasman. But he is a committed team man and was part of a solid set-piece in Sydney, and will completely empty his tank to help keep the series alive.
* IZACK RODDA
The towering 21-year-old from Lismore will be thrown into the deep end on his Test debut after Adam Coleman’s shoulder injury. But Rodda won’t necessarily be out of his depth. The Queensland Reds saw enough in him to deem Rob Simmons surplus to requirements and his no-holds-barred approach to the game has been drilled into him by former dual-code warrior Brad Thorn.
* TEVITA KURIDRANI
Kuridrani replaces Samu Kerevi at outside centre and will do plenty to help plug the gaping holes in Australia’s backline defence that New Zealand waltzed through last week. He doesn’t provide the same attacking punch as Kerevi but he is a reliable tackler and that’s exactly what the Wallabies will need this week against an All Blacks side that is expected to up the ante in Dunedin.
* DANE HAYLETT-PETTY
He only made his Test debut last year but it feels like Haylett-Petty has been around forever. When fit, he is one of the first names on Michael Cheika’s teamsheet and his recovery from a bicep injury comes at an ideal time for the Wallabies. ‘DHP’ will give them the exit strategy they need and with conditions perfect under the roof at Forsyth Barr Stadium, his kicking will be key.
* ISRAEL FOLAU
Australia’s best attacking weapon has found his range again after a lean period at Test level. Folau has scored seven tries in his past four games after scoring none in his previous 11. If the Wallabies can get another run on like they did in the second half last weekend, they would be well advised to get the ball into his hands as often as possible.
AND FIVE STATS TO HELP YOU LOSE YOUR FAITH AGAIN
* Australia haven’t won a match in New Zealand for 16 years.
* It’s been 29 games and nearly two years since the last time an Australian Super Rugby team won across the Tasman.
* The All Blacks have a perfect record at Forsyth Barr Stadium: four wins from four matches.
* The world champions have averaged 40 points in their past six matches against the Wallabies.
* They’ve also won all five of their matches against Australia controlled by referee Nigel Owens.
