2013 Bledisloe Cup: McKenzie’s Tactical Approach for the Wallabies Against the All Blacks According to Mowen
Leading up to Saturday's clash against the All Blacks in the 2013 edition of the Bledisloe Cup, the Mckenzie's Wallabies, with workhorse Ben Mowen, remain positive despite the odds, which are immensely against them.
The Wallabies are not wanting in terms of physicality and skills, but the Kiwis are in the league of their own insofar as such aspect is concerned. This is evidenced by the fact that they have been in possession of the Cup since 2003.
Coming on to the game, Australia will compensate for their deficiencies by trying to outwit their opponent as well as by taking advantage of Ewen McKenzie's experience during his tenure with the Reds which had a winning rate of 75 per cent against teams from New Zealand.
''[It's] almost a very Australian way of thinking in terms of strategy. We know we often come up against bigger blokes and better athletes but our ability has always been to outsmart them,'' Ben Mowen told the Sydney Morning Herald (SMH).
''It's a massive strength of Link's that he's [working on] with the players here and from what I've seen here over the last couple of weeks guys are extremely excited by it.''
With several of Australia's players taking part in the recently concluded Super Rugby finals, they will have to make sacrifices and go the extra mile to push their worn-out bodies for national pride and dignity.
Sound execution of strategies, which were effectively employed during McKenzie's term with the Reds and Brumbies, will definitely play a significant part.
''I think what Link's done with the guys that he's picked is [he will use] a similar strategy around what we've done against the Kiwi sides in Super Rugby,'' he said. ''With so many of the squad coming from the finals series and the Reds being in the first week of the finals, match fitness and things aren't going to be a drama, it was just getting that little bit of time together.''
The starters for the Wallabies against the All Blacks will be revealed on Thursday, and Mowen is expected to be above the pecking order because of his good form in the recently concluded Super Rugby finals. According to him, hard-work is key in winning the first installment of this year's Bledisloe Cup. Furthermore, he is not daunted by the fact of having to play against the Kiwis for the first time.
''If you look at the All Blacks back row they're not a huge back row but they get through a huge amount of work and they're obviously quality players,'' he confided.