Rugby: The Wallabies backline 'that could beat the All Blacks'

The only thing Israel Folau should worry about in the first Bledisloe Cup test is "to catch and score". Photo / photosport.nz

The Wallabies could field a backline to not only match the All Blacks' - but one that could potentially beat the world champions in the opening Bledisloe test in Sydney next month.

At least, that's according to the website rugbynews.net.au.

The Australian site's Sam Ryan admits there is "a long, long list" of things that need to go right for Michael Cheika's team if they are to shock the All Blacks - including "a near perfect 80-minute performance, parity at the set piece and a fair share of luck".

Cheika has been putting his troops through their paces in a training camp this week after Australia's participation in Super Rugby ended with the Brumbies quarter-final defeat to the Hurricanes in Canberra.

According to rugbynews.net.au the key to defeating the All Blacks "comes down to selecting the right 12, 14 and 15 combination" in the hopes of getting the most out of the Wallabies' "two best attacking weapons - Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale".

Kurtley Beale is one of Australia's best attacking weapons. Photo / photosport.nz

The backline to beat the All Blacks, according to Ryan, would be:

9. Will Genia

10. Bernard Foley

11. Dane Haylett-Petty

12. Reece Hodge

13. Tevita Kuridrani

14. Israel Folau

15. Kurtley Beale

To beat the All Blacks, Ryan argues, the Wallabies backs will need to "weather the storm in the opening 15 minutes, match the All Blacks in the final 10 minutes of each half - when they are most dangerous, and score plenty of points".

This backline "could do all three".

Reece Hodge is "a solid ball-running option". Photo / photosport.nz

By starting Hodge - described as "a solid ball-running option" at 12 - the Wallabies "will get over the advantage line in the early stages of the match", while Beale is the key to Australia's "attack going forward".

Beale could also double as a second playmaker from either 12 or 15 as the match progresses and the Kiwi defenders tire, Ryan writes.

As for Folau, the big winger "won't need to worry too much about his catch and pass game as he's there to catch the ball and score".