Rugby Championship - Australia vs New Zealand - 5 Key Battles

Sydney will hold host to the first Bledisloe Cup game of the year on Saturday (to much SANZAR fanfare), as the inaugural 'Rugby Championship' is kicked off in style by the top two IRB ranked teams in world rugby.

Both Australia and Zew Zealand will be looking for a confidence booster ahead of a gruelling tournament which will see each side travel between Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa from now 'til October as they embark on a 6 match marathon to define the top dog in southern hemisphere rugby.

Australia will also have revenge on the mind against New Zealand, after being comprehensively knocked out by the All Blacks in last year's Rugby World Cup semi final by 20 points to 6. Can they beat their trans-Tasman rivals this time round?

Below, Dumptackle Rugby Blog runs through the 5 key battles which should influence the final result in Sydney.



KEY BATTLES:


Berrick Barnes vs Dan Carter

With Quade Cooper on the mend and Aaron Cruden taking the Super 15 by storm in 2012, both Berrick Barnes and Dan Carter will be looking for assured performances in the first Bledisloe Cup game of the year, as they look to extinguish any calls for a changing of the guard in the 10 jersey. Carter was instrumental in his two performances for the All Blacks this year, scoring a late drop goal to kill any Irish dreams of an upset in the 2nd test. Barnes meanwhile belied his dismal Super 15 form with the Tah's with some composed play for the Wallabies, as Robbie Deans' side sneaked past the Welsh 3-0. Barnes gained many plaudits for the added structure he imposed on the Australian attack, earning 2 man of the match awards for his work. Quade Cooper may have the magic, but Barnes probably has the better temperament. As Bledisloe Cup games are usually tight, the tactical battle in the halves will most probably have a significant influence.

David Pocock vs Richie McCaw

This battle of the opensides is a match-up to really savour. It's Master vs Apprentice. While Richie McCaw well and truly came out on top when it mattered in the semi final of the 2011 RWC, Pocock is one of the few 7's who has gained ascendancy over the All Black's captain in recent times. If Pocock can frustrate the All Blacks with his seemingly immovable presence over the rucks in Sydney and gain some regular turnovers, as the Irish managed in Christchurch, we may have an upset on the cards. The All Blacks though will be looking to trap Pocock at the bottom of the rock from first phase, with Crusaders team mates Richie McCaw and Kieran Reid working in tandem to negate his threat. McCaw's game has evolved in recent times and he is perhaps less prolific on the floor, but his increased carrying adds another dimension to the All Blacks attack.

Sam Whitelock/ Luke Romano vs Nathan Sharpe/ Sitaleki Timani

With such dangerous outside backs on both sides, the battle of the lineout will be key. Sides which have frustrated the All Blacks and Australia in recent times have been the teams able to suffocate them, by stealing or at least nullifying the quality of their posession from set piece. South Africa were kings at it when Victor Matfield reigned supreme in the locks while Irish talisman Paul O'Connell dished out similar treatment to the Wallabies last year, as Ireland upset Australia in a RWC shock. NZ duo, Whitelock and Romano,  have impressed this year in the Super 15, easing some worries about the inexperience in the All Black's second row following Brad Thorn's departure. Australian lock Nathan Sharpe is a wiley operator though, and he will be able to exploit any naievety come lineout time, if doubts/ inexperience surface. He will have Siteleki Timani (a former Auckland Grammar school boy) next to him too, who will provide the grunt and will be aiming to make an impression against the country of his birth.

Will Genia vs Aaron Smith

Genia has been a shining light for Australia for a couple of seasons now at scum half. His start to this year's Super 15 was admittedly shaky, as he seemingly missed his parter in crime's presence (Quade Cooper) along side him and perhaps suffered a slight World Cup hangover. His form significantly picked up mid way through the season though as he inspired a late Reds comeback. By the end of the season, he had been awarded Australian Super Rugby player of the year. The Queenslander was a star performer for the Wallabies too as his incisive running game tore Wales to pieces in June. His opponent on saturday, Aaron Smith, meanwhile has sprung from seemingly nowhere. Ousting Gloucester bound Jimmy Cowan as the Highlander's starting halfback early in the season, his smooth passing game helped inspire some early fireworks down in Dunedin and he followed with an impressive debut for the All Blacks against Ireland. The thought of Dan Carter or Aaron Cruden with an extra half yard of space because of Smith's speedy distribution will no doubt leave opposition coaches biting their finger nails. The first and third test thrashings of Ireland were an example of what can occur when they are on top form.

Anthony Fainga'a/ Rob Horne vs Ma'a Nonu/ Sonny Bill Williams

Australia's centres have been a relative area of weakness in recent seasons. Robbie Deans has never quite managed to replace Brumbies and Rebels' legendary number 13, Stirling Mortlock, often turning to utility backs such as Adam Ashley-Cooper and Pat McCabe to fill the gaps. With McCabe falling foul to injury though, he has turned to Reds defensive demon Anthony Fainga'a to add some bite at inside centre with young Waratah Rob Horne looking to cement his place outside him for the next World Cup. They will have their hands full against two of the most recognisable players in world rugby. The All Blacks have not suffered in the centres in recent years. They have enjoyed an abundance of riches, with Ma'a Nonu and SBW (arguably the two best inside centres in world rugby) at times vying for one spot. Usual outside centre Conrad Smith, who is considered the brains of the backline, will be missing from this Bledisloe encounter and it will be fascinating to see how Nonu and SBW work as a partnership. The pair have played briefly together to varying success, most notably against England in the 2010 Autumn Internationals. If the combination doesn't work, we may see a change made early with Highlanders star Tamati Ellison given a try.


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