Australia vs. New Zealand: Where the Game Will Be Won

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: August 16, 2013

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Earlier in the buildup to this 2013 Rugby Championship opening game, fans were savoring the prospect of Australian maverick Quade Cooper facing New Zealand star Dan Carter. 

But the returning bad boy against the proven skills of an All Black legend is a matchup we must continue waiting for because Carter is out with a calf injury and Cooper is named on the bench.

Instead, new Wallabies coach Ewen McKenzie has handed a debut cap to Brumbies Matt Toomua while Aaron Cruden of Waikato Chiefs replaces Carter.

This is just one of the areas where the game will be won or lost. 

 

Cruden vs. Toomua at No. 10

These two know each other well from their Super 15 encounters and their relative performances will have a significant impact on the outcome.

Cruden is enjoying the best season of his career, and already this year has guided the All Blacks to two victories over France and a Super 15 title, outplaying Carter in the semifinal.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen certainly has no worries over his No. 10, as reported by Fairfax News on Stuff.co.nz:

We are really fortunate that we have more than one world class five eighth," All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.

Aaron has been on top of his game all season and has just going through two major [Super Rugby] matches with a lot of intensity and pressure.

He's ready to rumble and he's also played a couple of tests this year so he understands what we're trying to do. He's part of the leadership group so it's business as usual.



Toomua has a more structured approach than Cruden (and Cooper), but McKenzie has suggested he will have a more attacking role for the Wallabies, as reported by Jamie Pandaram of the Herald Sun.

You guys have seen Matt play for the Brumbies, but we’ve done different things in training and seen other things, that’s all I&rs...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Rugby Union

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