Rodzilla Aussie answer to AB power

All Black Leon MacDonald (right) runs with Joe Rokocoko during training at Brisbane Grammar Grounds yesterday. Ross Land / Getty Images

The Wallabies have been seduced by the bulk of tighthead prop Rodney Blake for this weekend's sudden-death Bledisloe Cup test, but coach John Connolly also cautioned he was selecting for the future.

The mountainous 130kg Blake has been picked ahead of Guy Shepherdson in the only change from the side which demolished the Springboks 49-0 a fortnight ago in Brisbane.

It will be Blake's third test and for the man hyped as Rodzilla in the local media, his first in his home city of Brisbane and the first in a decade in that city between the nations.

Blake has trimmed down from 160kg and his impressive play this season earned him a Wallaby test callup until he damaged an ankle a month ago. His recovery and the Wallabies limp scrummaging in the Christchurch test against the All Blacks persuaded Connolly to bank on Blake's bulk as part of the solution.

"We probably think he gives us a little bit more round the field at times too but they [Blake and Shepherdson] are both 23, and I think they both have a fair future," said Connolly.

"I think whatever they do they will be a lot better in years to come.

"Rodney is a young guy with a lot to learn. His best years are in front of him."

Blake had not played especially well against England this season, Connolly warned, and he would need the total support of his Wallaby pack.

The All Blacks, scrum technician Michael Foley counselled, were delivering the benchmark scrum in world rugby. It was not a throwaway line because the All Blacks had re-emphasised that dominance last weekend against the Springboks.

Improvements had come to the Wallabies but their top group of props were young and they needed time to acclimatise to international rugby. More was being asked of seasoned hooker Jeremy Paul in bringing those young props through and taking charge of the scrum engagements.

He had always been a gifted ball player but had been asked to work harder this year.

It was probably too simplistic, Connolly said, to say the outcome of the test would be decided by the scrum. It would be a significant factor but in Christchurch, the Wallabies had given the All Blacks too many chances in the game while their hosts were miserly.

The lineout, the breakdowns, defence, goalkicking - there were many other areas where pressure would tell. Self-assurance had returned to the Wallabies after their huge win against the Boks and that had shown through on the training field this week.

"We definitely got some confidence out of it but you are also knowing that wasn't real test footy," said Connolly, "but we felt pretty good about ourselves afterwards and that is important in a team."

Connolly's exit from the media conference was a sign for his assistant Scott Johnson to take centre stage in a camouflage T-shirt with the inscriptions of "Can I sit here" on the front and "Paranoia is Curable" on the back.

Johnson was mocking the All Black coaches who objected to him being near the sideline at Christchurch where they worried about him unpicking lineout calls or other instructions.

While the All Black coaches denied they had complained about Johnson's sideline antics, the Aussie who also coached with Steve Hansen in Wales was happy to carry the gag on yesterday claiming he was in his work clothes.


Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane 10pm Saturday


Australia: Chris Latham, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (c), Scott Fava, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Rodney Blake, Jeremy Paul, Greg Holmes
Reserves: Tai McIsaac, Al Baxter, Guy Shepherdson, Mark Chisholm, Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu, Sam Cordingley, Mat Rogers, Clyde Rathbone (two to be omitted).

All Blacks: Leon MacDonald, Rico Gear, Mils Muliaina, Aaron Mauger, Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (c), Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock
Reserves: Isaia Toeava, Luke McAlister, Jimmy Cowan, Chris Masoe, Jason Eaton, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore.