Australia add to pre-World Cup final intrigue by revealing their tactics
Friday 30 October 2015 17:22, UK
Australia's coaches have inadvertently revealed parts of their game-plan ahead of Saturday's World Cup final against New Zealand.
Wallabies head coach Michael Cheika and his assistant Mario Ledesma carried around pieces of paper during the captain's run at Twickenham on Friday which were captured in photographs.
And the notes apparently contained details of the tactics which Australia intend to adopt in the final.
Among other things, the Australians are seemingly aiming to "expose" All Black wings Nehe Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea under the high ball or in the backfield, and "rattle" number eight Kieran Read at restarts.
The notes cover both sides of the sheets of paper although only one page was visible, and are divided into different sections that cover kick-offs, defence and attack.
The kick-off strategies outlined included: 'Kickoff receipt #4 Kieran Read (get him rattled)' and 'Own the air space, catch everything, chase everything, escort wingers!!!'.
And influential number eight and World Rugby player of the year nominee David Pocock is told to hold off when Australia are taking a kick-off and not target All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter: 'Kickoff #5 and keep Poey (David Pocock) back (no Carter rage) (high as possible)'.
The Wallabies staff also seem to feel they have identified some of New Zealand's attacking strategies and other notes read 'Carter running right to left' and '(Ma'a) Nonu steps back on the inside when linespeed against'.
As for when the Aussies have the ball, another note read: 'Lineout attack gainline front foot speed. Expose Milner-Skudder and Savea under ball or in backfield'.
New Zealand and Australia will both be chasing a third World Cup triumph when the big match gets underway at 4pm on Saturday.
But the All Blacks are rated hot favourites to triumph by the bookmakers, having lost just three matches since they lifted the Cup on home soil in 2011.
