Cheika changes six Wallabies for Bledisloe Cup clash

The juggling acts continue.

The Australian shake-up includes a recall for fly-half Quade Cooper and the benching of David Pocock, whose partnership with Michael Hooper last week created havoc among the All Blacks forwards at the breakdown.

At the same time, Australia has the chance to deal a significant blow to New Zealand’s confidence and undermine the All Blacks’ preparation for the defense of the World Cup, which starts in Britain in just over a month. Carrying no specialist lock cover on the bench is also a punt aimed specifically at devising the final World Cup mix.

The pair will be feeling the heat after White and Toomua’s cameos against the All Blacks, while the possibility of seasoned scrumhalf Will Genia being available for the Eden Park clash after a knee injury adds further food for thought for Cheika. “They are already the most scrutinised team in world rugby”.

New Zealand winger Nehe Milner-Skudder scored two tries on debut and flyhalf Dan Carter kicked three penalties nevertheless it was not sufficient to stop them falling to exclusively a 3rd defeat since profitable the World Cup in 2011. He’s certainly taken a gamble on Cooper.

Pocock’s dropping is not based on form, however, with Cheika more opting for a “horses for courses” approach, with Palu included to provide greater physicality in attack, while Scott Fardy stays at blindside flanker to give the Wallabies a third primary line-out target.

Balancing risk and reward is the goal this week.

Hansen described his captain as “an extraordinary athlete”. “You’ve got to be fearless. We’ve got a plan and whilst we hit a road bump last week we don’t need to panic”.

QUEENSLANDER Quade Cooper has been gifted a platform to complete his transformation from flawed genius at the last Rugby World Cup to Australia’s hero of this year’s campaign.

“I think Australia now have put themselves in a place where people have got high expectations of them”, Hansen said.

“After the second test, there was a function, and we were left in no uncertain terms that fraternising can be done when stumps were drawn on the tour because it wasn’t going to help our commitment to the task”.

Hansen also didn’t miss the chance to turn up the heat on the Wallabies, striking with a typical gamesmanship jibe. “And they swear by it. So who are we to boo-hoo alternative medicine?”

The Hurricanes dazzler has shown this year that he’s capable of such consistency, but the returned Speight will be hugely motivated to impress, too. We were absolutely thrilled to get it back.

Nic White is also expected to start at halfback after the indifferent performance by Nick Phipps in Sydney.

It would be premature, however, to hint that the era of All Blacks invincibility might be over on the basis of this one shock result.

“It’s a very big challenge for us, but one we’re very much looking forward to”. But there will be some form of response I’m picking.