New All Blacks defence coach Wayne Smith admits he has a tough act to follow in taking over the role against a Wallabies side who haven't crossed the All Blacks' line in more than 200 minutes of test rugby.
But that will be the All Blacks' lofty yardstick at Tokyo's
National Stadium on Saturday as they look to sweep Robbie Deans' side in 2009 and make it seven transtasman wins in a row.
Smith, who took over the defence role from Graham Henry in a pre-tour coaching reshuffle, expects the desperate Wallabies to fire all their attacking guns in a festival-style clash.
"It's a double-edged sword because they'll be taking into the game an attitude to really attack," Smith said.
"Once the silverware has been won, then the game frees up a wee bit, so I'd expect this to be a fairly open game. It'll have its challenges from a defence-coach point of view."
Still, Smith refuted any psychological edge over the Wallabies despite the lopsided ledger, pointing out that all, bar the 33-6 win in Wellington last month, were close-fought affairs.
Henry will reveal his side today. It will have only minimal changes from the demolition in Wellington.
Two likely returns from injury are centre Conrad Smith for Isaia Toeava, and winger Sitiveni Sivivatu for Joe Rokocoko.
No 8 Rodney So'oialo may be pushing for another chance to prove himself after a frustrating season where he couldn't recapture his best form. He ran extensively at training at the Kubota Spears Rugby Ground outside Tokyo, suggesting regular No 8 Kieran Read may be handed a spot on the bench.
Sivivatu trained for only half the session, but Smith expected him to be fit to play on Saturday.
Luke McAlister wouldn't be considered because of an ongoing ankle problem, while loose forward Liam Messam tweaked a calf muscle at Monday's session and sat out yesterday. He was an unlikely selection in Saturday's 22 anyway.
Smith said keeping the side largely intact from Wellington was an easy choice.
"Part of it is rewarding guys who did the business and give them another crack at them."
He expected a fired-up Wallabies, who are undoubtedly under more pressure with recent rumours of player unease and the elevations of captain Rocky Elsom and vice-captain Barnes.
"The Wallabies will be hurting from Wellington.
"That was quite a conclusive result, and I know how we'd be feeling if we were playing off the back of that result.
"You'd imagine they'll be red hot."
Last night Wallaby coach Robbie Deans named his team, with 100-test veteran George Smith's omission from the starting XV one of five changes.
Teenage fullback James O'Connor was dropped after an unimpressive performance in his last start against the All Blacks at Wellington, allowing Adam Ashley-Cooper to revert from the centres to fullback and make room for Ryan Cross at No 13.
Wingers Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes joined the XV in straight swaps for Drew Mitchell and Lachie Turner in a completely reshuffled outside backs combination.
Ioane has been sidelined for most of the season after a shoulder reconstruction.
Matt Giteau retained his spot at first five-eighths, keeping new vice-captain Berrick Barnes at second five-eighths and Will Genia at halfback.
Wycliff Palu comes into the backrow at No 8, with David Pocock keeping 29-year-old Smith, one of the most highly rated backrowers in the world, off the openside flank.
New skipper Rocky Elsom will lead from the blindside.
- NZPA, AP
Ma'a Nonu crosses for a try during the All Blacks' 33-6 thrashing of Australia in Wellington last month. Photo / Mark Mitchell
New All Blacks defence coach Wayne Smith admits he has a tough act to follow in taking over the role against a Wallabies side who haven't crossed the All Blacks' line in more than 200 minutes of test rugby.
But that will be the All Blacks' lofty yardstick at Tokyo's
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.