Bledisloe upset would wipe Wallabies woes

18 Oct 2012, 5:38 pm   -   Source: AAP

Rising prop James Slipper says the wounded Wallabies can go from the 2012 outhouse to penthouse with a stunning upset of the All Blacks.

The Wallabies' latest injury-enforced call-up, James Slipper, believes a Bledisloe boilover would transform a season of woe into one to rejoice.

Rising prop Slipper was on Thursday promoted for his first run-on start against the All Blacks - unbackable favourites to record a 17th straight Test victory on Saturday night - after tight-head Ben Alexander was scratched.

A wrist problem makes Alexander the fourth player in three days to succumb to the Wallabies' 2012 injury curse which has already forced coach Robbie Deans to use 38 players in 10 matches.

A look at the Australian bench highlights their struggles with fit-again prop Sekope Kepu joining Waratahs teammate Drew Mitchell for their first game since August, and the remaining five reserves boasting less than 20 caps between them.

Bookmakers give the Wallabies ($5.75 underdogs) little hope at Suncorp Stadium, especially since the All Blacks have hit their straps in the past month after securing the Bledisloe Cup with 27-19 and 22-0 wins in August.

But Slipper hit the nail on the head when he assessed that an upset against the full-strength world champions would take them (Wallabies) from the outhouse to the penthouse.

"It would mean everything," he said. "It'd pretty much turn our year around.

"I don't want to get too far down the track, but to beat the All Blacks anytime (is huge). I think we're the only team to do in the last two years.

"They're a great team and to knock them off would be a great bonus for the year."

Slipper admitted the injury list - which includes the likes of skippers James Horwill, David Pocock and Will Genia, as well as a host of first-choice players such as Stephen Moore, James O'Connor, Digby Ioane and Quade Cooper - had "been the story of our year so far".

Only fourth-choice captain Nathan Sharpe has started all 10 Tests for a 6-4 record while reserve hooker James Hanson is poised to become the 12th new cap if he is used after replacing Saia Faingaa (broken hand).

But there's no excuses, and no talk of it being a dead rubber, according to senior Wallabies, following their August defeats.

"It's never a dead rubber against these blokes," said winger Adam Ashley-Cooper. "We have a good opportunity to get a little back."

Slipper's toughness and versatility will be tested fully at scrum-time by an All Black pack which hasn't been dominated since the Wallabies scored a 25-20 Tri Nations triumph in Brisbane 14 months ago.

The Queensland prop, 23, started at loose-head in the 25-19 win over Argentina in Rosario but must aim up at tight-head - opposing 91-cap veteran Tony Woodcock - after being replaced at No.1 by Benn Robinson.

"It's a dream come true for myself to eventually start against the All Blacks," said Slipper, who rates it a bigger moment than his Test debut in 2010.

"It's a good chance to test myself."

The All Blacks did do the Australian scrum a favour by rotating the world's best tight-head, Owen Franks, onto the bench to give Charlie Faumuina his first run-on Test start.

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