However, given that their victory last weekend – their first since 2011 against the ABs – was based around both dominance at the breakdown by the combo of Hooper and Pocock and a superb performance by the pack, changes to that pack is always going to be seen as resulting in a weaker team – especially as the names that have come in are not new but are players whose capabilities we already know.

Of the changes:

Palu – been around for a while. Blows a bit hot and cold in my opinion. But the ABs have his number and there’s no surprises for them there

Skelton – massive bloke, hasn’t yet lived up to his size and billing. Mumm bought some steel to the Wallaby pack. Skelton so far, hasn’t

White – game winning cameo last week but generally thought of as being inconsistent

Cooper – as we know, incredibly mercurial. Almost always finds it tough against the ABs

Speight- bagloads of potential but still pretty raw

I don’t think there is any doubt that this is a weaker team than last week’s. Even the Aussies think it is…

http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/what-the-hell-are-you-doing-cheika/

But it does give Cheika a chance to see if players can step up in the most difficult of circumstances – Eden Park with the ABs coming off a loss

PS – The England France game this weekend is of far less import and therefore it’s unsurprising that it will be two quite experimental teams

Opined last time that the ABs would prob out last Oz, but didn’t quite work out that way. Their ‘D’, which otherwise was pretty good, let them down x2 & it proved their undoing.

Also, they must stop the turnovers, get numbers to the breakdown to win more pill & stop Oz @ source.

Their passing needs sharpening, as does DC’s goal kicking, their scrum needs tightening a notch & their negative decision making in going for orthodox pens when attacking scums could be better options, needs revision.

Individually, guys like the yellowed A. Smith & Savea must keep their thinking & discipline going. In the latter’s case, he must protect the ball under his outside arm, freeing his inside arm in order to fend when going for a try!

Doubt whether Hansen will allow another loss, particularly in WC yr, particularly @ home & particularly @ Eden Pk where NZ haven’t lost since to Oz since 1986.

So, expect a dominant performance this time… I hope.

It’s yet to be seen whether Oz are ‘weaker’, esp as they will be away nxt Sat.

Besides, having won the Championship, isn’t Cheika just doing what other Int’al teams, esp in the NH, are doing at present? I.e. giving a run out to (some) other contenders? And It’s not as is these guys (mostly) haven’t already featured.

Common sense for me. More so when compared to Lancaster who is putting out virtually a 2nd string. Or do you think he is also doing so ‘in order to carry the can should they get thumped….’?

However, the cynics amongst us might suggest that there is likely to be an almighty backlash from the ABs at Eden Park and that a somewhat weaker team has been picked in order to carry the can should they get thumped….