Wallaby rookies vulnerable to streetwise All Blacks

While the Wallabies are being talked up - and rightly so after an impressive Springbok win - the inexperience in the Australian side could come back to haunt them when the dust settles tonight on Etihad Stadium.

In the weeks building up to this test, numerous Wallabies, including Will Genia and Matt Giteau, have spoken about the lack of mental scars within the team.

“Most of us haven’t been on the end of All Blacks defeats” was a common theme, saying that despite an overall one sided record over history, and a horror one of late (seven straight defeats and only four wins in 20 tests) that there was little baggage when they faced the men in black.

At the time this could have been found amusing, with one suspecting that the Wallabies might have been doing a sell job on the public. After all, when you ask a salesperson is their product really that good, they are hardly going to admit otherwise are they?

The Wallabies will be up for this test no doubt.

They have enough players who have been on the receiving end of the All Blacks, whether they are resounding defeats or proud losses, and will want to record a rare win over their rivals.

Also few non-New Zealand test coaches in world rugby could be better versed in the All Blacks tradition than Robbie Deans.  Although this statement is a double edged sword, with perhaps the former Crusaders mentor too aware of the All Blacks legacy.

The Wallabies know that one victory here gives them the two most prized scalps in rugby history in back-to-back tests.

The problem though is that the All Blacks will be just as primed for this game.

Most of the talk coming from the All Blacks camp this week has been a tone of respect, saying that history counts for little/nothing, the Wallabies provide their greatest test, and so forth.

When hearing this I am reminded of something the great John Eales once said - there is nothing that quite sends shivers down the spine like a humble All Blacks side.

And of course, then there is the experience.

The All Blacks match day 22 boasts an incredible 767 test caps, an even 700 of those residing in what appears to be Graham Henry’s strongest starting XV.

This is compared with a hardly naïve but far less practiced Wallabies side that wields 550 test caps between starting side and bench.

Of more focus is the fact that eight Wallabies have no Bledisloe Cup experience.

No doubt the players are familiar with each other, with the men crossing swords during the Rebel Sport Super 14.

The teams respective strengths and weaknesses should be more apparent in a Trans-Tasman match than any other clash in world rugby.

But in the test arena it is different, and when a player dons an All Blacks jersey, often their performances are immeasurably enhanced.

Worst still, as pointed out by numerous rugby writers in Australia, this All Blacks team is looking confident, assured, and doesn’t really look to have any obvious frailty.

They they will target any Australian weaknesses, the most glaring of which seems to be their pack – after it was exposed by the English – their lack of experience in this special contest, and perhaps their smaller frames in the backline.

Robbie Deans is aware of this.

'They will target individuals within our group for the hope of profiting because they lack background,' Deans said to the Herald.

Up front Salesi Ma’afu has clearly grown with each test outing, but the tighthead will likely be the recipient of many sadistic grins from loose head Tony Woodcock, who will earn his 66th test cap tonight.

Hooker Saia Faingaa and prop James Slipper on the bench also are yet to face an All Blacks front row.

In the backline, the Wallabies look to have the arsenal to play the same up tempo game as the All Blacks, but whether or not they can defend against what is man for man a bigger more physical backline remains to be seen.

Will Genia (85kg), Berrick Barnes (87kg), Rob Horne and James O’Connor (both 88kg) are far smaller than their All Blacks counterparts.

Cory Jane is the only All Black back less than 90 kg, while no doubt both Ma’a Nonu (104kg) and Joe Rokocoko (98kg) will be directed into traffic.

Both teams are wary of each other, and neither is willing to give the other any ammunition going into a crucial first Bledisloe Cup test.

But a canny and more physical All Blacks side, who have precious few holes in their armory, could hold the edge over a confident but ultimately young and still convalescing Wallabies team.