Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is backing Tane Edmed to steady the ship in the second Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks.
The Wallabies have been playing non-stop since the commencement of the British & Irish Lions tour in July, with the All Blacks in Perth the last stop before a much-needed break ahead of a five-match Spring Tour.
Watch the Wallabies tackle the All Blacks live and on demand via Stan Sport.
However, head coach Schmidt knows the Wallabies need to start producing wins with World Cup pool calculations on the line - and it starts this weekend.
The Wallabies can still win the Rugby Championship and snap a ten-game losing streak to the All Blacks, and with James Slipper now set to retire from international rugby, the motivation only grows.
The biggest decision revolved around selecting Edmed at ten, with Tom Lynagh yet at full speed.
“[Against Argentina], The distance [Tane had] back from [Julian] Montoya was a little bit tight and caught him unaware, but apart from that he actually did some really good things," Schmidt said.
“He had some really good moments, some really good passing moments, obviously hit the 50-22 and he's built into the week really confidently and we've got confidence in him.”
Along with this, Schmidt finds himself without prop Angus Bell, with Tom Robertson named on the bench,
“He's just got a little bit of a rib injury and it's been lingering,” Schmidt said of Bell’s omission to reporters on Thursday afternoon.
“In Tuesday's training, he just kind of hurt it again and we just felt that it was a good time to give him a rest and we've got lots of confidence in Tom Robertson. Obviously, Angus is a premium player for us and has been incredibly good.
“Coming off the bench last week, he did some super stuff. He stopped Ardie [Savea] dead in one carry where it ended up shoulder-on-shoulder in a really low contest. Those are things that are unfortunate.
“The games are so tough in TRC. For us, I'm really proud of the way the boys have been stepping up against teams that are significantly higher ranked, particularly 18 months ago.
“I do think there's growth in the team and I can't guarantee that's going to be linear but I can pretty much guarantee the effort's going to be there.
The other decision to put Rob Valetini on the bench has also caused discussions, with in-form star Tom Hooper retaining his spot in the side.
However, Schmidt believes it brings more options to the table for the Wallaby bench, and gives Valetini better time to overcome his persistent calf injury.
“The back row had been going well as a combination and sometimes they just merited continuance,” Schmidt added.
“At the same time, it'll give us a chance for 'Bobby' to spend a bit of time watching the first half and get his head in the game and then he'll certainly get his body into the game.”
Should the Wallabies lose, the side will find themselves in a similar position to last year’s Rugby Championship finish - but given how close the competition has been, Schmidt backs his men to deliver a result, while knowing the All Blacks will be hungry for a historic win.
“If we could get a win this week, at worst, we'd finish second,” Schmidt added.
“That would be incredible compared to last season and the season before that where there was the winless season that was in the Rugby Championship. Building our way forward, I do think that it gives us a little bit more confidence.
“They will be bristling with physicality. I thought [Peter] Lakai came onto the field last weekend and was very dynamic. Obviously, Ardie is as well.
“That back row, very dynamic. A couple of changes in the front row as well. I think they're through injury with Ethan de Groot getting a head knock last week.
“We know they've got strength and depth. That's demonstrated in the competition we play in.
“They've got three of the four best teams based on the Super Rugby competition. We know that's not something that's going to be a distraction for us because we know how tough they're going to be.”
