THE Wallabies are set to surprise the All Blacks by opting against fielding two midfield playmakers, as well as using novice flanker David Pocock as a late gamebreaker during Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup Test.
When the Australian Test line-up is announced today, the uncapped Pocock will be named among the reserves, with the strong possibility of three openside flankers being selected in a bid to outdo the All Blacks at the breakdown.
Coach Robbie Deans has been contemplating starting George Smith at No.7, and having both Pocock and Phil Waugh on the bench to improve the team's strikepower, as well as keeping the pressure on the All Black captain and openside breakaway Richie McCaw.
Deans is also expected to persevere with Stirling Mortlock and Ryan Cross as his midfield combination, although the All Blacks expect Berrick Barnes to return for this game. Barnes, who has fully recovered from his shoulder injury, is set to play from the bench.
When the All Blacks named Stephen Donald at No.10 and Daniel Carter at inside-centre, a prime reason was that they wanted to cover the Wallabies, who they expected would adopt a similar tactic by using two interchangeable playmakers in Matt Giteau at five-eighth and Barnes at inside-centre.
However, that Australian combination is likely to be held back until later in the tour.
It would be an enormous call for Deans to drop Cross, especially as the Western Force midfielder has scored in each of the two Tests he has started against the All Blacks this season. Cross also has an uncanny ability to find and exploit gaps in the opposition defence.
Other anticipated changes include Dean Mumm taking over Rocky Elsom's vacant blindside spot, Drew Mitchell replacing the injured Lote Tuqiri on the wing, Luke Burgess returning as halfback, Richard Brown at No.8 for the injured Wycliff Palu, and Mark Chisholm becoming Nathan Sharpe's second-row partner through James Horwill's unavailability.
The most compelling tussle is between Smith, Waugh and Pocock for the No.1 openside flanker position, and the pecking order is bound to be one of the most fascinating issues of this five-week Wallabies tour. Pocock was informed he was on the bench at Tuesday training, and yesterday, as the players went on a sightseeing tour of Hong Kong's Victoria Harbour, the Australian under-20s captain still appeared astounded his elevation had come so early on the tour.
"It is a massive surprise, as I wasn't really sure what to expect on this tour," Pocock said. "I do pinch myself now and again, especially when you're sitting next to one of the big dogs like Lote Tuqiri. It's then you realise that you're actually here."
You would assume Smith and Waugh would be edgy around the young pup, but Pocock insisted the pair had embraced him. "They've both congratulated me over the selection, and since joining the squad have helped me immensely," Pocock said. "There is not the rivalry you would expect. It all revolves around whatever's best for the team. They're both great guys off the field, and play the game hard on the field. It's been really good for me to see how they train."
If Pocock takes the field, he will confront one of his heroes - McCaw. Pocock's respect for McCaw is vast. "He [McCaw] is always pushing the limits,' Pocock said. "He knows all the little tricks. All the running lines. And there's always something when you play him, you think to yourself, 'Gee, that's good. Maybe I should do that.'
"He just seems to be always pushing harder than anyone else, and gets away with it. That's the sign of a good player. He does know how to play the referees."
The Super 14 finals series will not be expanded until at least the 2010 season after the SANZAR nations were unable to agree on a format for the planned six-team playoffs, AAP reports.
SANZAR also confirmed it would continue to trial the existing Experimental Law Variations rather than adopt an expanded form of the laws. Australia, New Zealand and South Africa were unable to come to an agreement on either of the issues.
