Round One: The Bledisloe Cup has been in New Zealnd since 2003
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New Zealand are in Melbourne this weekend for round one of the Bledisloe Cup and are looking to take a stranglehold on the Tri-Nations.
A full house of ten points against the defending champions sees New Zealand travel to Australia in pole position for the Tri-Nations title and bubbling with confidence.
How quickly things can change. By their lofty standards, 2009 was poor for All Blacks rugby, but since losing to South Africa in Hamilton last September, Graham Henry's team have strung together eleven straight Test victories.
If running eight tries past the Springboks didn't fill the world's number one ranked team with self-belief then their recent track record against their trans-Tasman rivals should.
It makes for unpleasant reading if you're an Aussie: The Wallabies have won just two of their last fifteen matches against the All Blacks and New Zealand have come out on top in the last seven encounters. Ouch!
The last time the All Blacks made it eight straight Tests against Australia was between 1936 and 1947 in an unbroken run of nine wins.
Horrific as that record might seem for fans of the gold and green, one should not forget that the Wallabies have led at half-time in five of their past six encounters.
As Robbie Deans pointed out during the week, those last forty minutes, and particularly the last twenty, are where the men in Black turn it up a notch. If the young Wallabies are going to come good - that's when it needs to happen.
Will Genia's try in the dying minutes to seal victory over the Springboks in Brisbane last weekend is a good sign. As Deans and the defeated Springboks have pointed out, winning at this level is about "mastering those little things" - and doing it for 80 minutes.
Perhaps more significant than that late score was Australia's capacity to compete up front. After being steamrolled by England, the return of Benn Robinson went a long way to steady the scrum. With Stephen Moore back to start at hooker this week, the front row should be even stronger.
The other big change in the Wallaby side is Berrick Barnes reuniting with Matt Giteau in the 10-12 channel where they are likely to interchange roles much in the same way as Giteau did with Quade Cooper.
For Deans to have three players capable of changing between the two position is a true luxury, but he'll hope the Barnes-Giteau combination does better than their last outing together - the disastrous Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington last September.
The Wallaby coach has made no secret that he expects a big game from both players with many an eye watching Barnes. Giteau will also have a point to prove: In seventeen Tests against New Zealand, the Brumbies playmaker has never crossed the whitewash!
After a relatively low-key start to the Tri-Nations, All Black fly-half Dan Carter will also be hoping to find his range. Australia have won just one of thirteen Tests played against New Zealand while both Richie McCaw and Carter have been on the field, but 'Dan the Man' might not be allowed to get away with the inconsistency he has displayed from the kicking tee so far in this campaign.
The news this week has been all about the All Blacks' attack plans being splashed all over Aussie newspapers thanks to a rather impolite photographer.
The Wallaby camp say they won't look at the pictures. We don't believe them. Of course knowing that Joe Rokocoko will be looking to come screaming through the channel on Carter's inside is one thing, stopping him is another.
The leak means Henry and his staff will have to come up with a few new plans, but as we've all learnt, the All Black bag of tricks is a very deep one.
New plans or old plans, both teams plan to keep ball in hand which bodes well for everyone watching.
Players to watch:
For Australia: It took a suspension for Quade Cooper to give Berrick Barnes a chance in the starting XV and the Waratahs playmaker will want to grab it with both hands. While Cooper was on fire in the Super 14, he hasn't quite set the Test scene alight in the same fashion, so Barnes will want to prove that he is the man to partner Matt Giteau. 17 kg lighter than his opposite number, Ma'a Nonu, Barnes will have to show his mettle as much in defence as attack. The apparent 'weak link' in the Aussie scrum, Salesi Ma'afu needs to come to the party. Up against veteran Test campaigner Tony Woodcock, Australian fans will hope having a familiar partner at hooker (Moore) will help the Brumbies prop.
For New Zealand: Saturday's Test will be a significant milestone for Joe Rokocoko, who will play in his 64th Test to become New Zealand's most capped winger of all time. But the Rocketman will not be allowed to rest on his laurels. With competition for places in the back three red-hot, Smoking Joe needs a big game. Jimmy Cowan has also been given a bit of a lucky break. If not for being away from the squad for the birth of his first child, Piri Weepu could very well have been handed another rare chance to start in the number nine jersey. A big performance could see Cowan retain the berth for Bledisloe Two.
Head-to-head: Walk into any pub in South Africa and everyone inside will insist that both Richie McCaw and David Pocock should have done sin-bin time for their efforts at the breakdown. With a southern hemisphere (yip, he's a South African) referee at the whistle it'll be interesting to see who gets away with what. Pocock's barnstorming performance at the breakdown was instrumental in the Western Force's win over McCaw and his Crusaders in the Super 14 - a repeat could put a spanner in the All Blacks works.
Previous results:
2009: New Zealand won 32-19 in Tokyo
2009: New Zealand won 33-6 in Wellington
2009: New Zealand won 19-18 in Sydney
2009: New Zealand won 22-16 in Auckland
2008: New Zealand won 19-14 in Hong Kong
2008: New Zealand won 28-24 in Brisbane
2008: New Zealand won 39-10 in Auckland
2008: Australia won 34-19 in Sydney
2007: New Zealand won 26-12 in Auckland
2007: Australia won 20-15 in Melbourne
2006: New Zealand won 34-27 in Auckland
2006: New Zealand won 13-9 in Brisbane
2006: New Zealand won 32-12 in Christchurch
2005: New Zealand won 34-24 in Auckland
2005: New Zealand won 30-13 in Sydney
2004: Australia won 23-18 in Sydney
2004: New Zealand won 16-7 in Wellington
Prediction:While New Zealand have won 54 of the 85 Tests on Australian soil, the results Down Under have been evenly shared during the Tri-Nations era. Last year's 19-18 win in Sydney was New Zealand's eighth in Australia during the Tri-Nations, having lost the other seven. We reckon there are still a few too many chinks in the Wallaby armor. History to repeat itself and the All Blacks to win by five.
The teams:
Australia:15 Adam Ashley Cooper, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (c), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Anthony Faingaa, 22 Kurtley Beale.
New Zealand:15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements:16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Israel Dagg.
Date: Saturday, July 31
Venue: Etihad Stadium (Docklands Stadium), Melbourne
Kick-off: 20:00 (10.00 GMT)
Weather: 12°C. The stadium roof will be shut
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
By Ross Hastie
Comments
Wallaroo says...
Although I don¿t much like PDV, IMO the AB¿s got away with too much in NZ and the Boks were at time unfairly penalised. Tonight AB's to be penalised appropriately (after McCaw admitted he is a cheat) and nullified by underrated Wallabies.
Wallabies by 7, and on to win the Trinations.
Posted 09:57 31st July 2010
AlanDownunder says...
Brett says...
"Strange, first game of the tri nations not involving the boks and it reverts back to southern hemisphere officials why?"
Because everyone in SA just knows that when they play an ANZ country a ref from the ANZ non-opponent will favour the ANZ opponent - either way.
Australians and New Zealanders are not so certain about SA refs.
Posted 07:55 31st July 2010
benski says...
Lebo.. I think you are wrong about Cooper, I think that his omission will be the Aussies downfall. Australia have the running backs to win this game but will get crushed in the scrum and, as good as Giteau is, without Cooper I don't think they stand a chance to get the ball out to their backs enough to win. Barnes is not as good as Giteau in the center and will kick away posession too much.
Posted 06:40 31st July 2010
Vagabond says...
I find it funny that everyone is saying that the Wallabies haven't played any decent opposition this year when last week everyone was talking about how the Springboks were going to kill us because they and the All Blacks were the two best teams in the world by far. Now we beat the Springboks by appyling a similar gameplan to the All Black and all of a sudden we haven't played any decent teams and the All Blacks are going to kill us.
Come on guys we're not children, let's appreciate a good effort by a national team and appreciate that they were the best team on the day. Let's also show some respect.
Am I saying the Wallabies will beat the All Blacks or the Springboks (at home)? not necessarily but I'm saying that we will be quite competitive regardless of the result. Look at last years losses in the Tri Nations, all but one game were close run affairs. I have pride in my team but my remarks will be objective ones. Maybe some of you should do the same.
The editor says.... A very good comment Vagabond, thanks.
Posted 02:53 31st July 2010
jmanngod says...
I wish Cooper was playing - he is going to be a weakness that the ABs will exploit in future big games.
Posted 02:42 31st July 2010
reado15 says...
@trinats. I wouldnt get too cocky, the wallabys were allowed to run the show last week as SA never turned up to play, unlike the 2 weeks before against the ABs were the boks were physical up front. Also the Wallaby backs had nothing on attack for most of the game and they couldnt finish when they got the chance. Where as the two weeks before the AB's cut the boks open from everywhere. I dont think the wallabys will hack the pace or physicality of the AB's. As for the media this week saying the AB's are "copying" the game plan from the Queensland reds give me a break! The ab's have been trying to run out of their own half and play at pace for as long as Henry has been coach!
Posted 00:08 31st July 2010
Lebo says...
The opponents on the Wallabies' schedule so far this year are not much of a yardstick, Trinats: Fiji, England, Ireland, and an abysmal South Africa.
Posted 12:20 30th July 2010
Trinats says...
jmanngod:
2010 Australia won 37 - 22 even NICER!!!
Thebosston:
no one is in the same class as Cooperman, but Barnes has a far better defence.
Lebo:
Carlos Spencer would be still playing tests if he scored half the trys cooperman has in his first couple of games.
ABenzed:
SA brought a running game to Aus unlike the kicking in NZ, and we butchered heaps of chances (having a month off probably didn't help). NZ had 4 trys put past them by Ireland (13 players) and even wales scored a couple. NZ are the ones a "bit over rated by the media" IMHO
It will be interesting to see how "polished" they kiwis are when they have to play against 15 players for 80 mins this season, hence my "silly" prediction of Aus by 15 points !!. And if we don't win it's because Cooperman wasn't playing, maybe another conspiracy by the kiwis.
Posted 11:23 30th July 2010
reado15 says...
All Blacks by at least 10. They have proved so far this year they are a much more polished outfit.
Posted 08:52 30th July 2010
Thebosston says...
I don't rate Barnes in the same class as Cooper. Nonu is gonna smash him!
Posted 07:53 30th July 2010
wallabychamp says...
im gonna call it right off the bat: NZ for the first yellow card down in the breakdown
Posted 07:38 30th July 2010
Trinats says...
If Joubert's love affair continues with McCaw and the kiwis, and we get our mandatory yellow card or two, I predict kiwis by 1.
If Joubert, takes the whistle out of mouth his and lets the game flow - AUS by 15 !!!! crazynats you may call me, but Australia have led in the past few meets at half time and switched off at 15 to go. Not this team of youngsters, the last 15 is where they have excelled. Score AUS 37 to 22 NZ.
AB could have 20 in a row against Australia, it just takes one win to end the losing streak. if it's not here let it by the final next year.
note to editor: the stadium has a roof, so wont matter if it's raining, unlesss they decide to open it.
Posted 21:47 29th July 2010
Lebo says...
As a kiwi, I reckon the Wallabies are better off without Quade Cooper. He reminds me of Carlos Spencer, except not effective at test level.
Posted 21:26 29th July 2010
bottomoftheruck says...
It's going to be one hell of a match, but the AB's just look awesome right now.
Posted 21:06 29th July 2010
ABenzed says...
The All Blacks by 10 plus I reckon. Aussie is a bit over rated by the media just because they beat SA last week. The Boks were awful and very tired looking plus their game plan is back in the Middle Ages or somewhere so they didnt play well at all. Aussie will hang ion their better than the Boks but they dont have the experience in the forwards to win big games.
Posted 20:55 29th July 2010
jmanngod says...
Nice:
2009: New Zealand won 32-19 in Tokyo
2009: New Zealand won 33-6 in Wellington
2009: New Zealand won 19-18 in Sydney
2009: New Zealand won 22-16 in Auckland
2008: New Zealand won 19-14 in Hong Kong
2008: New Zealand won 28-24 in Brisbane
2008: New Zealand won 39-10 in Auckland
2008: Australia won 34-19 in Sydney
2007: New Zealand won 26-12 in Auckland
2007: Australia won 20-15 in Melbourne
2006: New Zealand won 34-27 in Auckland
2006: New Zealand won 13-9 in Brisbane
2006: New Zealand won 32-12 in Christchurch
2005: New Zealand won 34-24 in Auckland
2005: New Zealand won 30-13 in Sydney
2004: Australia won 23-18 in Sydney
2004: New Zealand won 16-7 in Wellington
Posted 19:59 29th July 2010
Brett says...
Strange, first game of the tri nations not involving the boks and it reverts back to southern hemisphere officials why?
Posted 19:30 29th July 2010
tmcadams says...
Strength in depth is the reason why the AB's finish stronger than the Wallabies. Look at the benches and New Zealand should win this match. In fact, look at the eligible New Zealand 1-15 missing from the 26-man squad for an idea of the strength in depth at Henry's disposal: Afoa, Hore, Tialata, Eaton, Ali Williams, Thompson, So'oialo, Braid, Ellis, Donald, Sonny Bill Williams, Kahui, Sivivatu, Gear, Slade/Brett
Posted 18:16 29th July 2010