Australia will be desperate to end 26 years of Auckland hurt when they run out to face an ominous-looking Kiwi side in Bledisloe Two on Saturday.
Despite last week's defeat at ANZ Stadium being cushioned slightly for the Wallabies by the eight-point losing margin, it should have been more.
They were distinctly second best and lacked the cutting edge their visitors oozed. Cue criticism from an ex-coach and the return of Quade Cooper. Cooper is charged with igniting a spark out wide, but questions remain over how his temperament will hold up at a venue he did not enjoy in 2011.
The returning Reds fly-half was clearly in no mood for reminiscing about the World Cup in front of the press on Thursday as he was gone in just six seconds, revealing in a low-key tone: "I'm back. I'm fit, healthy - I'm ready to go. And I will see everybody at Eden Park." He then placed the mic on the floor and walked away. The puzzled faces of speechless journalists waiting to pose their teasers to him truly were a sight to behold as Cooper seems to be in a zone ahead of Saturday.
It is fair to say that some have had their knives out for both Cooper and Robbie Deans of late and it could be that a poor Rugby Championship might be the final straw in Deans's tenure. A defensive style is one facet that has been in the spotlight but that shouldn't be a major cause for concern this weekend as Cooper and Waratahs wing Drew Mitchell will offer a greater attacking threat than shifted team-mates Adam Ashley-Cooper and Berrick Barnes.
But will say a 20% improvement in performance be enough to overcome the All Blacks?
As former Springbok coach Nick Mallett put it over the weekend, it is now highly-likely that New Zealand will claim the inaugural Rugby Championship. Mallett's reasoning for what some might view as a premature statement was that the All Blacks should beat Argentina home and away and also pick up victory over South Africa at Forsyth Barr Stadium. Add in this weekend's expected result and that would give them five triumphs out of six. Job done.
The Boks will no doubt shake off such a suggestion, but their inability to pick up all five points at home to the Pumas might just come back to haunt them. Consider the rate at which injuries have mounted up after only one round (David Pocock, Tony Woodcock, Bismarck du Plessis, Juan Martín Hernández, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu) and then weigh up teams' depth and it is likely that the later one faces Argentina, the better.
New Zealand will, of course, also not buy into the notion that the title is already sewn up as this is a wounded Wallaby side. And with Cooper set to return to the international fold for the first time since he was taunted by 52,000 All Black fans, there is now a growing subplot to monitor. A fine game from him and he was 'focused on the job at hand' whereas if there is a repeat of the nightmare he endured in that semi-final last year, one fears for such a talent.
Ones to watch:
For New Zealand: This could be the last time rugby union sees Sonny Bill Williams in a New Zealand jersey as after Saturday's fixture he moves to Panasonic Wild Knights before returning to rugby league. Williams scored the last try in his final game for the Chiefs and such is his class, there is a good possibility he will go out of All Black colours with a bang.
For Australia: Did you even have to ask? Quade Cooper returns to the Australian line-up and will be looking to prove a point. It's likely he will defend from full-back but if the Wallabies choose not to employ that tactic, expect Sonny Bill Williams and Ma'a Nonu to hammer his channel. One thing is for sure and that is it won't be a smooth transition from Super Rugby to Tests so how he responds from what will be a tough opening fifteen minutes is the key. Impressive young talent Michael Hooper is also one to watch at seven.
Head-to-head: What happens on the openside is sure to be intriguing. Richie McCaw got the better of David Pocock last week and the Australian's absence would in many corners be seen as a monumental blow. But do not write off Michael Hooper. He, along with Liam Gill, are two geniune talents coming up through the ranks and they won't take a step back.
Recent results:
2012: New Zealand won 27-19 in Sydney
2011: New Zealand won 20-6 in Auckland
2011: Australia won 25-20 in Brisbane
2011: New Zealand won 30-14 in Auckland
2010: Australia won 26-24 in Hong Kong
2010: New Zealand won 23-22 in Sydney
2010: New Zealand won 20-10 in Christchurch
2010: New Zealand won 49-28 in Melbourne
2009: New Zealand won 32-19 in Tokyo
2009: New Zealand won 33-6 in Wellington
Prediction: The Auckland rot will not end for Australia. New Zealand by 12!
The teams:
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.
Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (c), 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga'a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Radike Samo, 19 Liam Gill, 20 Nick Phipps, 21 Anthony Fainga'a, 22 Kurtley Beale.
Date: Saturday, August 25
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19:35 (07.35 GMT; 08.35 BST)
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
By Adam Kyriacou
@PlanetRugbyAK
Comments
three6three6 says...
Should the All Blacks reclaim their recent form, then the Wallabies will be in for a serious test of character. The real problem for the Wallabies will be the examination of their tight five. Should the tight five play as they did last week, then the Wallabies will get smashed up front and the All Blacks will win with some ease.
The Wallabies are a good team and are capable of playing good quality rugby... but they are not able to play the same attritional games with the same inetnsity as the All Blacks. Their scrummaging is not wonderful and the other tight forward play suffers as a result.
Robbie Deans is a very good coach but he has very limited depth to work with.... especially in the forwards. There is absolutely no shame in being the second ranked rugby team in the world. If the fate of the coach is to be decided based on the unrealistic aspiration of consistently beating the All Blacks, then Australia will dispense with a number coaches on a regular basis.... Is this any way to develop for the future?
Posted 07:49 25th August 2012
jonesy2 says...
this is a much better wallabies side than last week i think this is going to be seriously close but one doesnt simply win at eden park unless one is wearing black. i dont think quade will be influenced by the crowd hes expecting it and now its just a novely rather than anything else. its going to be an amazing game, with all the sub plots (SBW, QC, KB off the bench, hooper starting against the king, barnes back at 12). so excited. i seriously feel an upset may be on the cards and at 7 dollars thats a good price but i think AB by 6
Posted 07:21 25th August 2012
scrumpoacher says...
I hate to say it but we're a long way off the side that beat them (and lost to them!) last year, especially after the capitulation of last week. Enzed by a big margin....But hey Go Wallabies!
Posted 04:33 25th August 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Ozinlondon, you need a sense of humour buddy....
Posted 04:31 25th August 2012
kiwilad says...
ABs 43 Aus13
Posted 03:54 25th August 2012
kakapo76 says...
@tvaddict, fair call- tough who are you gong to drop... C Jane? H Gear? (although I don't rate him as high as his brother). Ioane, is a class act but does not go looking for work, he is a better finisher than most wingers but seagulls a lot - one of the resons I like Guilford is his tackle rate- but then again the top 3% can go missing with him and he should never be allowed to kick the ball! :-)
Posted 03:12 25th August 2012
Ferdie says...
a game for the tokoroa boys - cooper and mealamu, and maybe kahui watching in the stand. not easy for cooper in first game back with so much expectation - though many expect he'll fall to bits. never thought of eden park as a 'cauldron' as crowds too far back, still for sure cooper will get some flak, but from what we saw this year super rugby is there a team's supporters who don't boo the opposition? reds fans certainly proved they didn't mind booing through their last loss. and waratahs fans, well they prefer to boo their own team
Posted 02:18 25th August 2012
Craig says...
tuffnut said it perfectly.
All Blacks will generally score at least 20 points a match (usually), so to beat them a team must get at least two tried (usually). One Genia snipe and one brutal Digby fend - things which happen every time those two play - and there's your two tries, potentially... Cooper could fire, though I tend to see him as more of a liability. But no doubt the guys has some tricks.
But for me as an ABs fan, the image I can't get out of my head, and the one that is worryinging me, is the ABs forwards having the poo kicked out of them in the first half in Brisbane last year. They were beaten up, and had no counter until the second half. If Aussie come out with a 'we win or we die trying' mentality - and I think they will - it could be a ferocious test.
Wallabies are ranked 2nd in the world. They're an awesome team. And ABs are better. But on the night...
I'm picking the ABs by 15 - I do think they'll fire and the Wallabies have had the most horrific injury run, but if the Wallabies get up and beat us I've decided I'll clap them and say 'well done' through gritted teeth, cause it would be one of the great wins of world rugby
Posted 00:23 25th August 2012
isthatrightref says...
I don't think this will be the massacre some are predicting: Owens will blow 20 - 30 penalties so wobblies will have plenty of possession & field position therefore points- scoring opportunities; Genia will have 2 first-receiver options therefore the wobblies backs can stand flatter & the AB won't be able to rush as quickly as last week; and whereas the AB will be looking for an improvement on last week the wobblies know that a repeat of last week probably means the axe for many of them...
AB by 15ish UNLESS Owens blows the wobbly scrum off the park in which case 30ish.
Posted 22:20 24th August 2012
hayj05 says...
@OzinLondon - 2eyedKiwi is just being a comedian. It's nothing against Australians, it's just for trinats & it's pretty accurate too lol.
Can't wait, more excited than last week. I've got a feeling this is going to be a cracker. Two reasons, both teams were very disappointed with their performances last week & the Bledisloe is on the line (NZ win & they keep it, Aus lose & they'll have to wait another year.)
AB's by 5
Posted 20:59 24th August 2012
UBA05 says...
On paper Nz just have too much class for aussie especially in the forwards, but if Aus forwards dont get decimated in the scrum and ruck battle, we could be in for an edge-of-your-seat-er.
Last week's result means nothing in my mind. Remember a difference in the recent 1st and 2nd test against the Irish??
How ironic would it be if Quade sparks the backline (provided the forwards provide a solid platform) to victory, breaking the "eden park hoodoo" after his shocker last year and given his Nz public enemy no.1 status?
Oh well, here it is, i feel an Aus by 2 (but in reality their forwards cannot overhaul their performance and the Abs in tandem in a week! So this wont probably happen) Did i mention i'm an AB fan?
Posted 20:05 24th August 2012
2eyedkiwi says...
@OzinLondon - mate, not having a crack at any specific countries fans, as we all have our bleaters. Making a serious prediction based on the blogs here every week. I don't own a horse, so if its OK with you I'll dismount my sheep instead...
Posted 19:41 24th August 2012
tuffnut says...
Mitchell, Cooper, Genia, Beale (off the bench), Higgenbotham, and Ioane all have the ability to turn this game on its head. If they show their form tomorrow and Aus pull one out of the bag it will really light up this tournament. Wallabies will need to play with a lot of heart, like Ireland in the second test, if they're to compete up front in the all-essential collision area and give their backs a good platform to attack from.
Really looking forward to the game and I hope it turns out to be like a Bledisloe spectacle of old.
All respect to Australia.
...but go All Blacks!
Posted 16:40 24th August 2012
OzinLondon says...
bigb6969
Thanks for making my point for me. Yep, us Aussies are the only ones to make excuses. Keep moaning buddy (you even moan when you win)... they're all out to get you.
Posted 16:39 24th August 2012
TheTruthHurts says...
To the Aussie team, you have nothing to lose you are on a hiding to nothing, just go out there and rip in and have a go! why play scared and defensive and get beat, if you just go for it and get beat at least you'll feel a hell of a lot better when leaving the field! History is just history and nothing more than in your mind, tomorrow is a game in itself forget last week, last year etc..... just play your arse's off!!!! Go you Aussie's!!!!
Posted 16:38 24th August 2012
carpelone says...
Rugbyrockstar
Mine would be:
Beast, Strauss, JdP, Etzebeth, Bekker, Alberts, Coetzee, Vermeulen, MacLeod, Lambie, Habana, JdV, JdJ, Hougaard, Steyn.
Posted 14:11 24th August 2012
lostguy101 says...
IRB World Rankings - 20 August 2012Position (last week) Member Union Rating Point
1(1) NZLNEW ZEALAND 92.29
2(2) AUSAUSTRALIA 86.19
3(3) RSASOUTH AFRICA 85.08
4(4) ENGENGLAND 83.09
5(5) FRAFRANCE 83.03
6(6) WALWALES 82.26
7(7) IREIRELAND 79.85
8(8) ARGARGENTINA 79.04
9(9) SCOSCOTLAND 77.97
10(10) SAMSAMOA 76.23
This is how good New Zealand is. And Robbie Deans is the second best coach in the world....where is the problem....life is good in NZ. Peace
Posted 13:32 24th August 2012
peewee2 says...
too close to call ...
however a likely AB win with an OZ bonus point
I expect Genia, Cooper and Hooper to star but the overall brilliance of the ABs should prevail with no individual to stand out - just a better team performance.
This prediction really hurts from an OZ supporter
And then again last night I watched a replay of John Eales winning the 2000 Bledisloe in Wellington with a kick at the end.
Maybe Barnes can do the same.
All records eventually get broken - so let's not lose hope.
Go the Wallabies!
Posted 13:21 24th August 2012
Golden_statenba says...
Think Trinats2 could have a point and it could be a straight to DVD match
People predicting on the past preformance,Australia nothing to loose,coach on the verge,QC comes back and becomes the hero.
Australia by 12
God I hope I'm wrong
Posted 13:04 24th August 2012
passtheball says...
Who will have the red noses tomorrow?
George S you are a contender today with your call for Simmons and Samo over Sharpe and Dennis.
Posted 12:33 24th August 2012