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Julian Huxley: Won't be kidding around against the Canucks
Canada will have nothing but pride on the line when they face Australia in their final World Cup match at the Stade Chaban-Delmas in Bordeaux on Saturday.
The Canucks are still winless in their group and face a massive uphill battle to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon in Pool B after drawing with Japan four days ago.
Not only that, should Canada fall victim to their sixth defeat at the hands of the Wallabies, they will give up their proud record of having won at least one game at a Rugby World Cup.
Quarter-finalists in 1991, the Canadians will no doubt leave France with their tails between their legs after suffering defeats to Wales and Fiji, a draw with Japan and a likely defeat to two-time world champions Australia.
However - although the results may read otherwise - it certainly hasn't been all doom and gloom for coach Ric Suggitt and his troops.
One must not forget the opening 50 minutes against Wales that saw the Canucks boast a well deserved 17-9 lead, which was only taken over with the introduction of three Welsh veterans.
The Fijians were let off the hook after a brave fightback from 22-6 down by Canada in the second half with 30 minutes left to play. Their courageous fightback was halted thanks to a dubious TMO decision and a run-away try to the Islanders after the Canucks knocked the ball on inches from the Fiji tryline.
In the match against Japan, Canada had all but sealed their must-win game until a converted try by replacement Koji Taira four minutes into injury time robbed the Canucks of their victory.
Captain Morgan Williams now has the tough job of lifting his team's spirit for one last hurrah at the World Cup against the undefeated Australians.
The Wallabies sit atop Pool B with three bonus-point wins and fifteen points. The men in green and gold have shown their dominance in beating Japan 91-3 - the second highest score thus far in this World Cup - then Wales 32-20 in their own backyard and Fiji 55-12.
Canada have never beaten Australia in five meetings going back to 1985 when Canada went on a two-Test tour of 'Oz' losing 59-3 and 43-15 respectively. Australia paid a visit to Canada in 1993, as the reigning World Cup champions from 1991, and the Bob Dwyer-coached Wallabies ran out 43-16 winners in Calgary.
Canada's best showing against the Wallabies came at the 1995 Rugby World Cup in the city of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Canada were placed in the 'Pool of Death' alongside Australia - the then title holders - and South Africa - the eventual winners. But the Canucks put in a spirited performance before losing to the Wallabies 27-11.
Both prop Rod Snow and lock Mike James, who broke his thumb early in that match, will line up against Australia on Saturday, the two Canadians surviving from that match.
The Canucks often pose a physical threat to opposing teams in open play, and any team failing to keep cool is likely to be bullied into submission - just like Wales were.
However, considering the size of the team, the set-pieces are often bizarrely weak, and the backs are frequently found wanting for pace.
This will be exploited even more against a hungry Wallabies outfit desperate to show coach John Connolly that they have what it takes to play further on in the knock-out stages.
Connolly has opted to give his best players a rest to avoid the risk of further injury by naming a second-string side to face the Canucks, which includes only five of his first-choice players in the starting line-up.
With his team having already booked their place in the quarter-final in Marseille, against either England or Tonga, Connolly has made 11 changes from the side which beat Fiji last week.
But Connolly has warned his players not to underestimate a Canada side that will go into batte with nothing to lose.
"I think the Canadians play a very physical game and a very confrontational game," said Connolly
"We have to be strong on defence inside the centres and if we do that things should work out for us. A lot of our guys have not played and that is the downside. The upside is they should be fresh.
"I hope they do what we do well and nothing changes. We have to set our own standard."
Flanker George Smith, lock Nathan Sharpe, wing Lote Tuqiri, full-back Chris Latham and utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper fall in the 'first choice' category, but the rest of the team are players on the fringe of selection.
Smith will become the Wallabies' 75th Test skipper on Saturday four months after knocking back a co-captaincy role.
"It will definitely be a tough contest," said Smith.
"They have some physical forwards in there and they will be tough in the rucks. They have had some success there."
Latham will be playing in his fourth consecutive World Cup match at this year's tournament, after Scott Staniforth failed to recover from a shoulder injury suffered against the Fijians.
This unfortunate set-back forced Connolly into a backline reshuffle that has forced Latham off the bench as well as forcing positional switches amongst the backs.
Drew Mitchell, who has scored five tries on the left wing, swaps sides to the right while Cameron Shepherd, who was called into the squad when Mark Gerrard injured his knee and ruled out of the tournament, moved from full-back to left wing.
Matt Giteau, who the selectors were desperate to rest, now has been promoted to sit on Australia's bench and cover several backline positions.
The rate of injuries must now be a concern for Connolly and his management with Staniforth joining veteran playmaker Stephen Larkham (knee infection) and captain Stirling Mortlock (shoulder) on the sidelines.
Larkham is aiming for a semi-final return but there are no guarantees he will turn out for the Wallabies again.
Players to watch:
For Australia: Julian Huxley has not had a huge number of opportunities to show off his rugby skills in a Wallabies jersey - least of all at fly-half. The Brumbies playmaker now has a chance to prove that Australia don't have a crises on their hands with the limited amount of back-up fly-halves available to them at this World Cup. With regular pivot Stephen Larkham on the verge of an early retirement and rookie number ten Berrick Barnes wrapped in cotton wool, Huxley has a chance to call the position his own. Pundits will recall the 28-year-old was overlooked by former Wallaby coach Eddie Jones when Australia were desperate for a replacement fly-half in 2003. It is rather ironic then that after being selected as a probable full-back for the World Cup four years later, his aspirations of wearing the Wallaby number ten jersey have finally become a reality.
For Canada: Veteran lock Mike James will make his final World Cup appearance when the Canucks come up against the Wallabies and will no doubt want to make it one to remember. The 34-year-old will hang up his boots from the international game after the World Cup, but whether he bows out with a bang remains to seen. Somehow we think not. But the 1.98m tall former Stade Français player - who weighs in at a hefty 112 kg - will at least bid farewell to the game in familiar surroundings after his sevens years at the Parisian club. James is an imposing figure and is well known for his expertise in the set pieces. His priceless experience of playing in four World Cups should also put the Canucks in good stead against the two-time world champions.
Head to head: Lote Tuqiri (Australia) v Mike Pyke (Canada). Two backline stars playing out of position sets up an interesting battle indeed. With Tuqiri having to make the switch from wing to outside centre in Scott Staniforth's absence, perhaps now the dreadlocked assassin will be able to target the try-line for the first time in this World Cup. The 28-year old - who has played in the number thirteen jersey before - will now have more ball to work with, but has a tough assignment against Pyke. The Montauban player, who is more recognisable at full-back, filled in as a centre in Canada's last game against Japan when Craig Culpan came off injured in the second-half. Pyke is a dynamic runner with the ball in hand and has an enormous punt that will surely come in handy against the likes of Australia. The 27-cap Canuck has very deceptive pace and his long legs make it difficult for opposition to get a firm grip when he gets some momentum going.
Recent Results:
1996: Australia won 74-9 at Ballymore, Brisbane
1995: Australia won 27-11 at Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth (RWC)
1993: Australia won 43-16 in Calgary
1985: Australia won 43-15 in Ballymore, Brisbane
1985: Australia won 59-3 at the Cricket Ground, Sydney
Prediction: The up-hill battle facing Canada could be more like a mountain with the Wallabies still looking for a flawless performance to propel them into certain World Cup favourites. Australia are sure to face a strong onslaught in the opening quarter from the Canucks, but once settled, will open up the floodgates. Australia to win by 40 points.
The teams:
Australia: 15 Chris Latham, 14 Cameron Shepherd, 13 Lote Tuqiri, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Julian Huxley, 9 Sam Cordingley, 8 David Lyons, 7 George Smith (c), 6 Hugh McMeniman, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Nathan Sharpe, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Greg Holmes
Replacements: 16 Sean Hardman, 17 Guy Shepherdson, 18 Rocky Elsom, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Stephen Hoiles, 21 George Gregan, 22 Matt Giteau
Canada: 15 DTH van der Merwe, 14 Justin Mensah-Coker, 13 Mike Pyke, 12 Derek Daypuck, 11 James Pritchard, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Morgan Williams (c), 8 Sean-Michael Stephen, 7 Dave Biddle, 6 Colin Yukes, 5 Mike James, 4 Luke Tait, 3 Jon Thiel, 2 Pat Riordan, 1 Rod Snow
Replacements: 16 Aaron Carpenter, 17 Dan Pletch, 18 Mike Pletch, 19 Mike Burak, 20 Mike Webb, 21 Ed Fairhurst, 22 Dave Spicer
Date: Saturday, 29 September
Venue: Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux
Kick-off: 15:00 (14:00 BST, 15:00 GMT)
Weather: Rain, 17°C
Referee: Chris White
Touch judges: Steve Walsh, Bryce Lawrence
Television match official: Lyndon Bray
Assessor: Michel Lamoulie
