Test Rugby: New Zealand v Australia

01.11.2008
New Zealand v Australia in Hong Kong (Bledisloe Cup)

Preview
Who would have thought a few years ago that a test match between New Zealand and Australia would be staged in Hong Kong? Well, precisely none! I personally think the match could have gone ahead without the official test match status and without the Bledisloe tag. The same number of people would show up if it was a New Zealand XV v an Australian XV. I just feel it has robbed some of the specialness that is the Bledisloe contest.

Having said that a test match it is. Australia will be rustier that the Kiwis whom many have had a tough provincial match under their belt whereas the Aussie have been in cotton wool since the Tri-Nations in September. Both teams have their share of injuries and unavailability. This will affect the Wallabies the most as the Kiwis have a greater depth.


Last Five Encounters
13.09.2008 New Zealand 28-24 in Brisbane (Bledisloe/Tri Nations)
02.08.2008 New Zealand 39-10 in Auckland (Bledisloe/Tri Nations)
26.07.2008 Australia 34-19 in Sydney (Bledisloe/Tri Nations)
21.07.2007 New Zealand 26-12 in Auckland (Bledisloe/Tri Nations)
30.06.2007 Australia 20-15 in Melbourne (Bledisloe/Tri Nations)

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 3rd
Oceania Table-New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd

Prediction: New Zealand by 21 points

Teams

Australia
15 Adam Ashley-Cooper (ACT Brumbies) Age 24, 18 tests
14 Peter Hynes (Queensland Reds) 25, 9
13 Ryan Cross (WA Western Force) 28, 8
12 Stirling Mortlock, Capt. (ACT Brumbies) 31, 71
11 Drew Mitchell (WA Western Force) 24, 25
10 Matthew Giteau (WA Western Force) 25, 60
9 Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs) 24, 6
8 Richard Brown (WA Western Force) 23, 1
7 George Smith (ACT Brumbies) 27, 91
6 Dean Mumm (NSW Waratahs) 24, 5
5 Nathan Sharpe (WA Western Force) 30, 69
4 Mark Chisholm (ACT Brumbies) 26, 35
3 Alistair Baxter (NSW Waratahs) 31, 58
2 Stephen Moore (Queensland Reds) 25, 28
1 Benn Robinson (NSW Waratahs) 23, 15
Replacements
16 Tatafu Polota-Nau (NSW Waratahs) 23, 8
17 Matthew Dunning (NSW Waratahs) 29, 40
18 Philip Waugh (NSW Waratahs) 28, 71
19 David Pocock (WA Western Force) 20, New Cap
20 Samuel Cordingley (ACT Brumbies) 32, 20
21 Berrick Barnes (Queensland Reds) 22, 11
22 Lachlan Turner (NSW Waratahs) 21, 1
Head Coach: Robbie Deans

Chisholm last played a test for Australia v Canada 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Regulars missing-Lote Tuqiri (injury), Wycliff Palu, Rocky Elsom, James Horwill, Adam Frier (late, injury)

Data as per http://www.rugbyinternational.net/
For a list of all Australian rugby tests go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/

New Zealand
15 Isaia Toeava (Auckland) Aged 22, 17 tests
14 Hosea Gear (Wellington) 24, New Cap
13 Conrad Smith (Wellington ) 27, 21
12 Daniel Carter (Canterbury) 26, 54
11 Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato) 26, 30
10 Stephen Donald (Waikato) 24, 6
9 Jimmy Cowan (Southland) 26, 18
8 Rodney So'oialo (Wellington) 27, 51
7 Richie McCaw, Capt. (Canterbury) 27, 65
6 Jerome Kaino (Auckland) 25, 9
5 Alistair Williams (Canterbury) 27, 56
4 Bradley Thorn (Canterbury) 33, 20
3 Neemia Tialata (Wellington) 25, 27
2 Andrew Hore (Taranaki) 29, 36
1 Tony Woodcock (North Harbour) 27, 45
Replacements
16 Keven Mealamu (Auckland) 29, 39
17 Gregory Somerville (Canterbury) 30, 65
18 Anthony Boric (North Harbour) 24, 7
19 Adam Thomson (Otago) 26, 7
20 Piri Weepu (Wellington) 24, 24
21 Ma'a Nonu (Wellington) 26, 28
22 Cory Jane (Wellington) 25, New Cap
Head Coach: Graham Henry

http://www.allblacks.com/index.cfm?layout=team
Data from http://www.rugbyinternational.net/

For a list of all New Zealand's test results go to http://www.rugbyinternational.net/