All Blacks to target Wallabies' 13 channel

All Blacks to target Wallabies' 13 channel

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster has admitted that his side will target the Wallabies defensive weakness in the outside centre position with a non-specialist outside centre donning the 13 jersey in the first Bledisloe Cup of 2018. 

Wallabies head coach Michael Chieka dropped his only recognised 13 in Curtis Rona when he trimmed his squad ahead of the clash, with season-ending injuries to Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani meaning the Wallabies will have a new midfield combination. 

Israel Folau ruled himself out of contention for the starting 13 jersey meaning that Rebels utility Reece Hodge is likely to get the nod. Hodge has played a handful of games in the position for the Rebels but has played more at no.12 and no.10 as well as wing for the Wallabies. 

The 23-year-old's versatility means he has developed a reputation similar to that of Adam Ashley-Cooper in the Wallabies set-up and will look to build on his reputation if given the opportunity this weekend. 

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster heaped the pressure on, by agreeing that outside centre can be the hardest gig defensively and said his side would be looking to “ask questions” of whoever starts at 13.


“We are pretty interested to see who turns up (in the position),” Foster said.

“He (Cheika) has some good options there. Certainly, it is not the easiest thing to get right, defending at 13. But I think the way we see it is he is building some great options throughout that squad, and you can see that depth grow and grow and grow. 


“It is going to be a little bit of a challenge, whether it is Hodge or Toomua, or which ever way they go, I guess it would be a slightly new combination. 

“I am sure they will be working hard to make sure they learn pretty quickly. I guess we are going to have to ask some questions, aren’t we?”

Story via: rugby.com.au



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