Cheika springs tactical surprise
O’Connor at outside centre as Wallabies plot upset
THE Wallabies have the chance to build some vital credibility and confidence with the All Blacks making a statement by naming their strongest team of the year for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup showdown in Perth.
An upset victory at Optus Stadium, or even a narrow defeat, would do wonders for the Wallabies ahead of this year’s World Cup.
Coach Michael Cheika said winning the Bledisloe series for the first time since 2002 was the first motivation.
“Some guys are getting opportunities now but they’re opportunities given with the intention of going out there playing the best we can,” Cheika said.
“We know how big an occasion it is and I know the players, how much they want to perform at this level and do something that hasn’t been done for quite a while.”
New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said it was “pretty close” to the line-up he intended to play at the showpiece tournament, making six changes to the side that drew with South Africa.
Among the changes they have named explosive backrower Ardie Savea for his first start at No.6, alongside fellow open side specialist Sam Cane. They have kept the twin playmaker set-up of Richie Mo’unga at five-eighth and Beauden Barrett at fullback.
The Wallabies pulled a selection shock, naming James O’Connor at outside centre in place of Tevita Kuridrani.
Former bad boy O’Connor hasn’t started a Test in six years and never one at 13, but gives the Wallabies another ball-playing option.
The Australians have struggled to convert opportunities into points with O’Connor tipped to switch with inside centre Samu Kerevi when the Wallabies have the ball.
Cheika rated O’Connor’s defence despite the unfamiliar role and said he had faith he could get the job done.
“I think James will bring something a little bit different that we haven’t seen, so definitely our opponents won’t have seen it either,” Cheika said.
“He’s good at playing footy. He is very solid in his defensive work over the training time and the footage I have seen him from over in the UK, he’s very solid in that area.
“Obviously this is Test footy but I have a lot of faith in James.”
Hansen admitted choice of O’Connor caught out the All Blacks. the had