Wynne Gray: Bounce-back factor at Suncorp Stadium

The renowned All Black bounce-back factor and the increasing fragility of the Wallabies points to a victory for the visitors at Suncorp Stadium in a fortnight. Photo / Getty Images

Opinion

Conventional rugby chatter will have the All Blacks bouncing back to belt the dispirited Wallabies in Brisbane.

The All Blacks will rest Ben Smith to get him sharp for the end-of-year tour, Tawera Kerr-Barlow is set for knee surgery while Conrad Smith and Jeremy Thrush must be cleared after head knocks in the absorbing defeat to the Boks.

There is plenty of back-up. Aaron Cruden, Brodie Retallick, Patrick Tuipulotu and Dominic Bird are all in the frame for a return to the squad and the anticipated start of another winning sequence.

Meanwhile, the Wallabies are in greater disarray than the fallout from successive losses to the Springboks and Pumas. They should be holding inquiries into the widening rift between some players and officials which boiled to the surface during the team's flight to Argentina.

However, cost-cutting, political infighting and other issues may come into play in an attempt to quell some of the persistent problems.

The renowned All Black bounce-back factor and the increasing fragility of the Wallabies points to a victory for the visitors at Suncorp Stadium in a fortnight.

It was supposed to be that way the last time the sides met at the same venue on a humid evening two years ago.

It was a night when Keven Mealamu reached his milestone 100th test as the All Blacks hunted a world record winning sequence and their 100th win against the Wallabies.

Referee Craig Joubert was in charge that evening during the unsatisfactory 18-all stalemate and will control the last of the three transtasman duels.

It was a game which drew the intriguing observation from All Black coach Steve Hansen that his troops had not gone "bone-deep" in their preparation.

They'd had a strong training week but the players had not done the extra work on their mental preparation.

They will not lack any motivation in a fortnight although it's a game they'd all probably like to skip before their end-of-year tour to the States and Europe.

For Hansen and his selectors it is a chance to "rest" a few top dogs and try a few combinations to see whether they can wring some different sting from the pack.

A Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Charlie Faumuina front row appeals with the repaired Retallick moving back into lock.

Beauden Barrett made such a strong impression starting at five eighths against the Pumas and Boks where his pace and kicking game seem most suited to test rugby, while Malakai Fekitoa is another who demands a repeat midfield selection.

Ben Smith's absence will give Israel Dagg another run with Cory Jane, Charles Piutau and Ryan Crotty shooting for a place in the back four.