PREVIEW: Bledisloe I: Wallabies vs All Blacks
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Kurtley Beale's slip kick cost the Wallabies the first test against the Lions last year. Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images
Kick your goals Kurtley
Ewen McKenzie has taken a massive gamble by dropping flyhalf Bernard Foley to the bench and giving Kurtley Beale his eighth Test start at 10. Not because Beale isn't up to the task in general play but because it leaves the Wallabies without a recognised goal kicker. Ok, so Beale landed 'that kick' from 56m to beat South Africa in 2010. But he didn't kick goals for the Waratahs this season and hasn't had a kick at Test level since his after-the-siren miss in the first British and Irish Lions Test last season. The other option is Nic White and he doesn't kick regularly in Super Rugby for the Brumbies either. There's every chance Foley, who kicked a 44m penalty goal on the bell to win the Super Rugby final, will get on in the last 20 minutes if the game is close. But Wallabies fans will be hoping Beale or White haven't missed too many kicks before he gets on.
Wycliff Palu needs to make an impact for the Wallabies forwards. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Match the All Blacks' physicality
The likes of Ben Smith, Julian Savea and Ma'a Nonu are all capable of ripping the Wallabies to shreds out wide, but it all starts up front for the All Blacks. It's unrealistic to expect the Wallabies pack to dominate the breakdown, but if they go close to holding their own an upset could be on the cards. Abrasive rookie lock Sam Carter has a massive role to play in the tight, while Scott Fardy's battle with Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker will go a long way to deciding the contest. But born-again number eight Wycliff Palu holds the key for McKenzie's men. If big Cliffy can consistently get over the advantage line the hosts will have a chance, but it'll be a long night for Beale and the Wallabies backline without Palu's go-forward.
Israel Folau must continue his try-scoring form. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images
Give it to Izzy
This one doesn't really need explaining. The dual international killed it for the Tahs in his second season, finishing the equal-top try scorer in Super Rugby with 12 in 14 games. He is the Walllabies' X-factor and the only Australian player the All Blacks are even close to fearing. The superstar full-back has another year in rugby under his belt now and is desperate for another crack at the ABs. But he needs more pill, and if his team-mates don't give it to him he must go looking for it.
Scrums and line-outs will as always be key. Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images
Solid set piece
The New Zealand eight will be salivating at the prospect of monstering the Wallabies scrum - again. South African referee Jaco Peyper will be all over the Wallabies' props and if he senses the All Blacks are getting on top he'll blow the pea out of his whistle. The line-out is another area the visitors will target with rookie hooker Nathan Charles throwing to a new locks pairing of Sam Carter and Rob Simmons.
It's time for the men in gold to step up. Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images
Actions speak louder than words
The Wallabies have been saying all the right things and you get the feeling they genuinely believe they can beat the All Blacks in 2014. There optimism is based on the fact they've won their past seven Tests and possibly the Waratahs winning the Super Rugby title. But we've heard the tough talk all before – too many times. It's time to deliver on the field. First the forwards need to muscle up and then the backs have to hold their nerve and follow McKenzie's mandate to throw caution to the wind.