21 Aug 2014

Same Wallabies lineup best bet

2:48 pm on 21 August 2014

The Wallabies rugby coach Ewen McKenzie is adamant keeping the same team offers their best chance of making history at Eden Park.

Ewen McKenzie has named an unchanged starting line-up for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland, resisting calls to reinstate Bernard Foley at first-five and retaining Kurtley Beale as Australia's chief playmaker.

The Wallabies haven't won at Eden Park in 28 years and they must break that hoodoo to avoid a 12th consecutive Bledisloe Cup series defeat.

McKenzie says the side that drew in Sydney last weekend will be better for the experience.

Beale had an influential game in the first Test, kicking all of Australia's points and McKenzie is backing him to continue sparking the Wallabies attack in more favourable conditions this weekend.

Wallabies playmaker Kurtley Beale on the break.

Wallabies playmaker Kurtley Beale on the break. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Despite sticking with the same 23-man squad from last week, McKenzie says the selection process was tough.

He says while they didn't win in Sydney the side has made good progress since the first test against New Zealand a year ago.

After the Sydney stalemate ended New Zealand's 17-game winning streak, the Wallabies' next challenge is to halt the All Blacks' 14-Test run against them at Eden park.

Australia haven't tasted success at the venue since 1986, while the All Blacks haven't lost in 20 years and 32 Tests at the venue.

Wallabies: Israel Folau, Pat McCabe, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Matt Toomua, Rob Horne, Kurtley Beale, Nic White, Wycliff Palu, Michael Hooper (captain), Scott Fardy, Rob Simmons, Sam Carter, Sekope Kepu, Nathan Charles, James Slipper.

Reserves: James Hanson, Pek Cowan, Ben Alexander, Will Skelton, Scott Higginbotham, Nick Phipps, Bernard Foley, Tevita Kuridrani.