Wallabies taking a gamble - Smith

All Blacks backs coach Wayne Smith admitted he wouldn't gamble on leaving out a specialist back-up No.10 as he contemplated the move that could backfire spectacularly on the Wallabies tomorrow night.

With Robbie Deans naming five forwards and two backs on his bench for the test at Suncorp Stadium, the Wallabies will have to rely on Stirling Mortlock to fill the playmaker's role if first five-eighths Matt Giteau is injured.

"I am not sure I would (do that)," Smith said. "It is a pivotal position, but I know Robbie well - have known him for a lot of years. He will have a back-up five-eighths, there is no doubt about that.''

Captain Mortlock - a centre who this week has been converted to a second-five - has at times been running at pivot at training in case Giteau gets injured.

But it would be a nightmare scenario for the Wallabies if they lost Giteau, even when taking the vast amount of experience Mortlock has.

Giteau yesterday said he expected the All Blacks forwards to target him: "Any ball that they get they might run it down my channel, but it's a test match, I won't be going out there in a dinner suit. If you're out there you've got to make your tackles."

Giteau is likely to have a hectic night in defence and attack as the visitors attempt to isolate him and tempt him into flinging poor ball to Mortlock whose kicking game is rarely seen at this level.

With regular second-five Berrick Barnes, an accomplished kicker, still nursing an injured shoulder the Wallabies options have been reduced.

It is an area in which the Wallabies could quickly self-destruct, although Smith expected them to bring the likes of fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper - who had a poor night with his kicking in the thrashing by the Springboks a fortnight ago - in to help out if needed.

"It can do but there are other kicking options in that team; the same thing has been levelled at us with Ma'a (Nonu) but we have found other ways and other people to kick. I am sure they will have a plan."

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