Rugby: Wallabies ready to counter All Blacks

Joe Tomane. Photo Getty
Joe Tomane. Photo Getty
There is a rallying on-field call the Wallabies make when they regroup in defence.

Critics could argue they yell it a lot.

But Wallabies flyer Joe Tomane reckons New Zealand are yet to decode it as they look to counter the world champion's use of turnover ball in Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup "dead rubber" at Suncorp Stadium.

It may prove the difference in a match that will celebrate vice-captain Adam Ashley-Cooper's 100th Test - and perhaps determine besieged coach Ewen McKenzie's future.

However, their performance may yet depend on their off-field communication.

And Tomane is not giving away too much on that either.

Winger Tomane said the Wallabies would telecast a code word when looking to close down New Zealand's exploitation of turnover ball - a telling factor in Australia's embarrassing 51-20 Eden Park loss in their last start against the All Blacks.

Just don't call it scrambling.

"I don't know about scrambling. We call it trying to find a connection," he said.

"It's about trying to find a connection with our teammates and we're trying to present a solid line.

"We're practising all sorts of scenarios. I feel we've trained really well to counter whenever they get a turnover. (Because) they know how to punish you for your mistakes."

So what's the code word?

"We have a term but I'm not going to tell you," he smiled.

Hopefully their off-field talk is not as guarded ahead of what may yet be a make-or-break clash for McKenzie.

The team must find a way to rally in the bitter fallout from Kurtley Beale's in-flight confrontation with Di Patston, who has since resigned citing stress, and the subsequent leaking of lewd text messages from the playmaker to teammates about the ex-Wallabies staffer.

Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper revealed they would hold a team honesty session in Brisbane to ensure everyone was on the same page ahead of the Bledisloe Test in the wake of the Beale saga.

But Tomane remained coy on what exactly was said.

"It's sort of something that was done in-house," he said.

"I think I'll just keep it at that. I don't think I should comment on that, sorry."

However, Tomane hosed down talk that the Wallabies had extra motivation to defeat the All Blacks in order to take the limelight off McKenzie.

"I think the driving factor for us is to actually just win the game," he said.

"That's more than enough to drive any team."

McKenzie certainly hopes so.

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