Ewen McKenzie’s ideas and attention to detail have helped convince the Wallabies their new coach has the game plan to upset world champions New Zealand in his first game at the helm.
New coach McKenzie on Thursday will show some of his carefully concealed hand when he names his team to meet the All Blacks in Saturday’s Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup opener at ANZ Stadium.
Injuries to Wycliff Palu and Kurtley Beale, the retirement of George Smith, the axing of prop Benn Robinson and the anticipated shift from five-eighth to wing of James O’Connor ensure the side will be quite different to the one that started the final Test against the British and Irish Lions last month.
The team is expected to possibly include a few more of the Queensland Reds side McKenzie coached until recently.
Prop James Slipper, lock Rob Simmons and flanker Liam Gill are among Reds players poised to be promoted to the starting side.
Another Queenslander, the recalled Quade Cooper, is vying with uncapped Brumbies star Matt Toomua for the five-eighth spot.
Halfback Nic White, prop Scott Sio and possibly lock Scott Fardy are among other uncapped players who could make it onto the bench.
The Wallabies have spoken about an expansive entertaining style McKenzie plans to employ, not dissimilar to what he utilised with the Reds, but tweaked for the stricter defences of Test rugby.
His ideas and diligence have quickly impressed players working under him for the first time.
“I really do like his detail that he puts in,” said Brumbies skipper and incumbent loose forward Ben Mowen on Wednesday.
“I like the strategies that he’s talking about putting in place.
“You can tell that he’s thought for a very long time.
“I’m sure he’s been looking forward to a chance hopefully one day to get this position and, over that time, he’s been adjusting his match strategy and game plan in his head.
“The guys as a whole I think are very generally impressed by him and excited and want to make sure that we start this McKenzie era off on the right foot.
“Whoever gets that role on the weekend have just got to make sure we execute that game plan, because we certainly believe we’ve got the talent and the players to win it, but it’s going to be a huge ask.”
McKenzie’s diligence is no surprise to those who have already worked under the former Reds and Waratahs coach.
“He’s the type of bloke that really puts a lot of time in away from the boys,” Slipper said.
“He does his homework and comes to the team room prepared, so I’m sure a few ideas have been floating through his mind over the past months.
“With that being said, the players really feel that vibe and we’re really confident with what he’s saying.
“We’ve got the skill and the talent with the players – its just a matter of executing that game plan he sets.”
Possible Wallabies team: Jesse Mogg, Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Christian Leali’ifano, James O’Connor, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Ben Mowen, Liam Gill, Hugh McMeniman, Rob Simmons, James Horwill (capt), Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, James Slipper. Res: Saia Fainga’a, Scott Sio, Ben Alexander, Kane Douglas, Michael Hooper, Nic White, Matt Toomua, Joseph Tomane.
