Wallabies Fit For The Purpose - Deans
Sydney Morning Herald
Friday October 24, 2008
WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans yesterday conceded his team would be underdone for the final Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong on November 1.
All Blacks management have made it known that their superior match fitness - due to their involvement in the provincial Air New Zealand Cup competition, is likely to be a critical factor in South East Asia's version of the trans-Tasman encounter.Their preparation also included a 56-10 win against the New Zealand Barbarians on Wednesday, during which All Blacks prop John Afoa suffered a knee injury that could force him to miss the Hong Kong encounter. In contrast, since the end of the international season over a month ago, the Wallabies have been restricted to four fitness camps in Sydney.But after a two-hour training session in miserable conditions at Brookvale Oval yesterday, Dean said he was not overly concerned with the All Blacks' match fitness. He is, however, delighted by the amount of conditioning work the Wallabies have done, believing it will work in their favour on the extensive tour of Hong Kong and Europe, where they will play against Italy, England, France, Wales and the Barbarians."I do concede they [New Zealand] have the advantage, because they're match hardened and we're not," Deans said yesterday. "But it's not a major concern because we've done what we've wanted in these training camps. It's been a bit of a juggling act in terms of conditioning and preparing for games. So we will be underdone for that first game, and that's why we have to maximise the time we do have to ensure we get into the right space mentally and physically."No Wallaby could claim to have had a easy ride at yesterday's session as Deans focused on the team's skills and ball work, involving them in an array of drills. The only mishap came when second-rower Mark Chisholm was flattened in a tackle and needed attention for a head knock, prompting concern all round as it seemed yet another Test lock had been struck down.Not surprisingly, since Dan Vickerman is unavailable, James Horwill has withdrawn and both Hugh McMeniman and Peter Kimlin are injured, the Wallabies get decidedly edgy whenever a second-rower stumbles. However, Chisholm was soon back on his feet, much to the relief of everyone - especially Deans, who knows the back-up stocks are low in the lock department.If there were any All Blacks spies hiding in the Brookvale shadows, they wouldn't have had a clue what the Wallabies' Test line-up will be in Hong Kong. As usual, Deans kept flicking the combinations around - not surprising, considering he wants to experiment with young players on the tour in a bid to find out whether more fringe candidates are ready for Test football.No matter what, there will still be widespread changes to the Wallabies side in Hong Kong from that which lost to the All Blacks in Brisbane six weeks ago. Chisholm is scheduled to take over from Horwill in the second row, while Dean Mumm is in line for the blindside breakaway position due to Rocky Elsom's move to Ireland.Richard Brown is the most likely to be No.8 as Wycliff Palu, who - despite being involved in team training yesterday - is not expected to fully overcome his knee problem until the Italy Test on November 8.In the back line, Luke Burgess is again available at halfback, as is Berrick Barnes at inside-centre, while Lachie Turner is in contention for Lote Tuqiri's wing spot. Tuqiri underwent a fitness test at Narrabeen yesterday and a decision has not yet been made on whether he will tour. Even if he leaves with the Wallabies on Monday, Tuqiri will still miss the Hong Kong Test.? George Smith last night became the first dual winner of the John Eales Medal, awarded to the Wallabies' player of the year. The award is voted on by the players, and Smith finish ahead of Wycliff Palu, Rocky Elsom and Matt Giteau. Elsom was the People's Choice winner, while Peter Hynes was named Rookie of the Year.
© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald