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Thursday, 9 September 2010 4:33pm
RugbyWA & ARU
Ben McCalman at Wallabies training
Ben McCalman at Wallabies training
David Pocock at Wallabies training
David Pocock at Wallabies training
Emirates Western Force youngster Ben McCalman has retained his place in the Wallabies starting line-up for Saturday’s test against the All Blacks, along with Nathan Sharpe, David Pocock and James O’Connor.
Richard Brown is again on the reserves bench with the only change to the run-on side that defeated South Africa in Bloemfontein last week being Lachie Turner to replace the injured Drew Mitchell.
It will be the first time McCalman has faced the All Blacks with his three previous tests coming against the Springboks.
“They’re a very tough side, we saw that in Melbourne and again in Christchurch so they’ll certainly be a step up,” McCalman said of the New Zealand outfit.
“I think they’re the benchmark, they’ve shown that again throughout the Tri-Nations and no doubt be very tough (to beat).”
The Wallabies are on a high after breaking a 47 year hoodoo at altitude in South Africa and will need every bit of that confidence if they’re to crack through the All Blacks side that has notched nine straight wins against the Aussies.
“I think the weekend just gone shows that we can come back from whatever position we find ourselves in,” said McCalman.
After an impressive display against the Boks in his run-on debut McCalman said training and playing alongside star backrower David Pocock at the Emirates Western Force had clearly shown him the level of dedication and commitment needed to make at the elite level.
“David Pocock is a great player and great to have him in your back row. I think having played with him at the Force this year helped me understand how he played and he could see how I played. If I can tie that in with him (at international level) it certainly helps my game,” said McCalman.
“I don’t think I’ve seen him play a bad game. He is definitely up there in the top one or two in the world as an openside breakaway and is great benchmark for all of us.”
An impressive 2010 in which McCalman made his Super rugby debut, won the Emirates Western Force ‘Rising Star’ award and earned his maiden Wallabies cap has simply made the youngster hungrier for more top level action.
“Having another chance at starting for the Wallabies is a great opportunity to cement a spot leading into the spring tour later in the year,” McCalman said
Star pivot Quade Cooper will also tackle the All Blacks for the first time as will Brumbies hooker Huia Edmonds who has been named on the bench as a replacement for the suspended Saia Faingaa.
While the Bundaberg Red Tri Nations Series has already been decided in New Zealand’s favour, Wallabies coach Robbie Deans says Saturday night’s final match offers his side the opportunity to push on from last weekend’s historic success in South Africa.
“We can’t afford to continue to live in that moment,” Deans says.
“While the players are aware of the history that was associated with that performance, they are also aware of the significance of playing the All Blacks and the opportunity that they have in front of them this weekend.
“Hopefully we’ll have a big crowd down at the stadium to get in behind them.”
Australia’s class of 2010 is chasing its third win of this year’s Tri Nations Series. Should it succeed, the current team would sit alongside its predecessors of 2000 and 2008 which are so far the only two Australian outfits to have won three times during a single Tri Nations championship.
Australia’s most recent success against New Zealand was achieved at ANZ Stadium two years ago when the Wallabies prevailed 34-19.
Tri Nations Series and Bledisloe Cup
Wallabies v All Blacks
Saturday 11 September at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 6.00pm (AWST)
1. Benn Robinson
(NSW Waratahs)
2. Stephen Moore
(Brumbies)
3. Salesi Ma’afu
(Brumbies)
4. Mark Chisholm
(Brumbies)
5. Nathan Sharpe
(Emirates Western Force)
6. Rocky Elsom
(Brumbies, captain)
7. David Pocock
(Emirates Western Force)
8. Ben McCalman
(Emirates Western Force)
9. Will Genia
(Queensland Reds)
10. Quade Cooper
(Queensland Reds)
11. Lachie Turner
(NSW Waratahs)
12. Matt Giteau
(Brumbies)
13. Adam Ashley-Cooper
(Brumbies)
14. James O’Connor
(Emirates Western Force)
15. Kurtley Beale
(NSW Waratahs)
Run on reserves:
16. Huia Edmonds
(Brumbies)
17. James Slipper
(Queensland Reds)
18. Dean Mumm
(NSW Waratahs)
19. Richard Brown
(Emirates Western Force)
20. Luke Burgess
(NSW Waratahs)
21. Berrick Barnes
(NSW Waratahs)
22. Anthony Fainga’a
(Queensland Reds)
Australia v New Zealand @ Sydney – Historical Notes
* This is the 163rd match of a trans-Tasman rivalry that dates back to 1903 when New Zealand won the inaugural meeting 22-3 in Sydney.
* This tally includes the 24 matches played between 1920 and 1928 when NSW represented Australia.
* Of the 162 games played between the two nations, New Zealand has won 112 and Australia 45, with five draws – the most recent of which occurred 20 years ago, 19-19 in 1988.
* This is the 51st trans-Tasman Test to be hosted in Sydney. New Zealand has prevailed on 30 occasions, and Australia 18, while two others were drawn.
* The inaugural Test between the two nations at ANZ Stadium was held in 1999, when Australia scored a 28-7 victory.
* Last year’s 19-18 win by New Zealand was the All Blacks’ fourth success at the ground in Bledisloe Cup Tests. Australia has won five of these games at ANZ Stadium and also won the 2003 Rugby World Cup semi-final between the two teams which was held at the venue. The Bledisloe Cup was not at stake in that match.
* Saturday night represents the 28th Test match to have been played by the Wallabies at the Olympic Stadium since rugby union debuted at the ground when Australia beat England 22-15 in 1999.
* Australia’s return from Tests at Homebush Bay currently stands at 21 wins and six defeats with England (2003 Rugby World Cup final & earlier this year) and New Zealand (2000, 2003, 2005 & 2009) the only visiting sides to have prevailed at the venue.
* The Bledisloe Cup was donated by the then Governor General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe, for competition between the two countries in 1931.
* Australia won the trophy for the first time in 1934, beating New Zealand 25-11 in Sydney.
* The 21-point winning margin the Wallabies achieved in the inaugural Bledisloe Cup Test at ANZ Stadium in 1999 was a record Australian win over New Zealand, while the 34 points scored during the most recent win in 2008 was Australia’s highest ever winning score over the All Blacks.
* Matt Giteau was the only Australian player to score points from the Wallabies’ two Test appearances at ANZ Stadium last year, scoring 22 against France and 18 against New Zealand.
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