All Blacks still expect the unexpected

Carl Hayman,Derren Witcombe, Greg Somerville and Jerry Collins pack down during All Black training in Sydney in the build-up to this weekend's Tri-Nations test match against the Wallabies. Picture / Fotopress

Wallabies fullback Chris Latham has always been known for his unpredictability on the rugby field.

And despite his injury-enforced absence from Saturday's Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup test, the All Blacks will still have a Queenslander with an unknown quality to deal with.

The All Blacks will be wary when Drew Mitchell makes his run-on debut at fullback at Telstra Stadium on Saturday night.

New Zealand reserve back Leon MacDonald admitted while the All Blacks had swotted up on the sometimes cavalier Latham, the dossier on Mitchell was thin and a lack of knowledge could work to the Wallabies' advantage.

"He obviously hasn't had much time with Chris being fullback for the Reds, although he has always been pretty impressive on the wing," MacDonald said.

"I think fullback is his natural position. He has a lot of experienced players around him if he plays back there and it is a big occasion so I'm sure he'll rise to it.

"It is (a danger). It makes it a little bit scary. We see each other on TV every week and you play against guys so often you know what they are trying to do, their favourite moves and stuff, so when somebody comes in who you haven't seen a lot of, it brings a little bit of unknown."

The 21-year-old was given a huge vote of confidence when coach Eddie Jones named him as Latham's replacement yesterday.

He was one of five changes as the Wallabies regroup after their trouble-plagued tour of South Africa last month where the low point was the sending home of reserve halfback Matt Henjak following a nightclub incident.

The Wallabies needed to find replacements for injured backs, winger Wendell Sailor and pivot Stephen Larkham, while tighthead prop Matt Dunning and blindside flanker Phil Waugh were dropped from the starting line-up that lost 16-22 in Pretoria last month.

Latham has continuing hamstring trouble and with Mat Rogers also out of consideration following knee surgery, Jones pinned his faith on Mitchell.

"Chris got through about 80 per cent of the session (yesterday), but his hamstring just isn't right, so we won't risk him.

"It's disappointing for Chris, but Drew Mitchell is a player who has really developed well since the start of the test season and brings with him plenty of enthusiasm.

"He was outstanding against the Junior All Blacks for Australia A in Canberra and Sydney, and then over the last three tests (France and South Africa twice) has gained some good experiences as a replacement."

- NZPA