Wallabies seek relief from All Blacks

MELBOURNE: The term ‘dead rubber’ has become drearily familiar for Australian rugby fans at the tail end of a Bledisloe Cup series but the Wallabies’ desperation for any kind of win over the All Blacks should ensure a spirited clash in Brisbane tomorrow.

The All Blacks took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the annual three-test series way back in August, pinching a last-gasp 35-29 win in Dunedin that left the Wallabies heartbroken and deprived of the coveted trophy for a 15th straight year.

Neither team have been beaten since that epic encounter but both have travelled very different trajectories.

The All Blacks have battled a mounting injury toll, forcing coach Steve Hansen to mix and match across the team-sheet. The back-ups have performed well, helping the side to six straight wins in the Rugby Championship.

Flyhalf Beauden Barrett was added to the casualty list this week after failing to recover from head-knock in the last match against South Africa, allowing Lima Sopoaga his first start in two years at Lang Park.

By contrast, the Wallabies have been in a rare state of harmony.

Their results have not quite stacked up to their trans-Tasman Sea rivals, with two draws against the Springboks in their last four matches.

But coach Michael Cheika has finally thrown away the clipboard, settling on a side after nearly two years of tinkering since their run to the World Cup final in 2015.

Rob Simmons has replaced lock Izack Rodda for Saturday’s match but the injury-enforced change is the first tweak to the starting 15 in three Tests. AFP