Expert opinion and analysis form Herald scribes Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry as Victor Vito is recalled to bolster the All Blacks and Richie McCaw in tackling twin Wallabies threat.
Victor Vito recalled to bolster Richie McCaw in tackling twin Wallabies threat.
Victor Vito has received a golden opportunity to stake a late claim for a place in the All Blacks' World Cup squad after being selected at blindside flanker for the winner-takes-all Bledisloe Cup test against Australia at Eden Park.
Vito has replaced Jerome Kaino in the No6 jersey, with coach Steve Hansen placing his faith in the Hurricanes player to help Richie McCaw, playing in a world record 142nd test, and Kieran Read negate the twin threats of David Pocock and Michael Hooper at the breakdown, a problem area for the All Blacks over the past two tests.
In what must be considered a surprise selection, Vito, who has played only 24 minutes for the All Blacks this season - as a replacement in the narrow victory over the Springboks at Ellis Park a fortnight ago - will be tasked with matching Kaino's physical presence on defence and perhaps adding a touch of speed to the loose trio as the All Blacks seek to retain a trophy they have held since 2003.
It will be Vito's first test start since he wore the No8 jersey against Scotland at Murrayfield in November last year. Since making his test debut in 2010, he has started in only 11 of his 27 tests.
Victor Vito breaks away to score a try during a match between Scotland and New Zealand November 15, 2014. Photo / Getty Images
Hansen has also sprung a surprise with his make-up of the reserves. There are two loose forwards in Kaino and Sam Cane, but no specialist lock cover. Predictably, Sam Whitelock returns to the No5 jersey alongside Brodie Retallick, but there is no room on the bench for Luke Romano, who started at ANZ Stadium last weekend.
It is a clear indication of how seriously Hansen is taking the threat of the Wallabies' loose forwards and how the All Blacks will want to play - with pace and precision. It might also suggest the All Blacks will take on the Wallabies' rushing defence by trying to play in the wide channels. Mobility will be key.
Electric wing Nehe Milner-Skudder retains his place after his two-try debut in the 27-19 defeat in Sydney, with Ma'a Nonu in at second-five for the injured Sonny Bill Williams. There is no room for Beauden Barrett in the reserves, with Malakai Fekitoa and Colin Slade joining halfback TJ Perenara on the bench. Slade's sole appearance for the All Blacks this year was against Manu Samoa in Apia, where he played 29 minutes off the bench.
Hansen has given little away in terms of his World Cup squad of 31, which will be named in Wellington at the end of the month, but for Liam Messam, who was slightly off his game in Johannesburg after starting at No6, it must seem like history is repeating itself.
Messam was one of the unlucky ones in 2011 - his final test before the tournament was the defeat to the Boks in Port Elizabeth, with Vito making the cut ahead of him. He has since become a consistent performer for both the All Blacks and the Chiefs but can now do little more to convince Hansen he deserves a place in the squad aiming to make history by winning back to back titles.
Hansen said: "This game is one of the best challenges we could have. We pride ourselves on our performance and last week's wasn't good enough, so we have been working hard at all areas of our game. We know we have to be smarter, more accurate and bring more intensity right across the park.
"It's also our last test match in New Zealand for the year so it's important that we deliver a performance that we can be proud of in front of our home fans.
"Finally, I would also like to take this opportunity on behalf of myself and the All Blacks to publicly acknowledge Richie's achievement in becoming the most capped test player in the history of the game. His performances week in, week out in the black jersey have been nothing short of extraordinary."
Starting XV (tests): 1. Tony Woodcock (114) 2. Dane Coles (29) 3. Owen Franks (71) 4. Brodie Retallick (36) 5. Samuel Whitelock (65) 6. Victor Vito (27) 7. Richie McCaw - captain (141) 8. Kieran Read (76) 9. Aaron Smith (40) 10. Daniel Carter (105) 11. Julian Savea (34) 12. Ma'a Nonu (96) 13. Conrad Smith (87) 14. Nehe Milner-Skudder (1) 15. Ben Smith (40)
