Henry curses Aussies' record defeat
The Wallabies get a long-awaited chance to replenish their trophy cabinet if they can upset the odds against New Zealand and reclaim their first Tri-Nations trophy in seven years on Saturday.
The Wallabies get a long-awaited chance to replenish their trophy cabinet if they can upset the odds against New Zealand and reclaim their first Tri-Nations trophy in seven years on Saturday.
Australia have retained the Mandela Plate against the world champion Springboks, but the sweetest prize for New Zealander Robbie Deans will be seizing the Tri-Nations sliverware off the All Blacks in his ninth Test as Wallabies' coach.
Deans had a dream start as the Wallabies' first foreign coach with five opening wins, including a 34-19 spanking of the All Blacks in Sydney on July 26.
But the magic wore off as New Zealand hit back 39-10 a week later in Auckland and a record last-start 53-8 mauling by the Boks in Johannesburg a fortnight ago.
Yet heading into the final game of the Tri-Nations, the Wallabies can still come away with the big prize if they can down the top-ranked New Zealanders at Brisbane's Suncorp Stadium.
New Zealand have held the Tri-Nations crown, symbol of southern hemisphere rugby supremacy, since 2005 and are favourites to extend their reign into a fifth year this weekend, but All Blacks' coach Graham Henry is wary of an ambush.
“I don't think it (the big loss at Ellis Park) has done us any favours at all,” said Henry.
“They will be hugely disappointed with their performance and the result, which will give them more edge and more attitude.
“We don't really need that, so that's a pity that happened.”
Henry knows from experience not to under-estimate the Wallabies at home. The Australians have had the better of the All Blacks six times in their last nine home encounters, although the Kiwis have won both their two 'Battle of Brisbane' Tests in 2006 and 1996.
“This was always going to be a big game, it was always going to be a decider and they have got the advantage, probably, of coming off a big loss which they are obviously disappointed about,” said Henry.
“It will give them a great attitude.”
Henry readily conceded that Deans had out-thought him in their four tries to three defeat in Sydney in July and Deans sees Saturday's match as a perfect opportunity for redemption after their Johannesburg humiliation.
Deans has made five team changes and is promising a much-improved effort from his chastened Australians at a sell-out Suncorp Stadium.
“Last week's gone and we've got a fantastic opportunity this weekend. We will be better out of necessity and I'm very excited about this week,” said Deans.
“They weren't proud of their last outing so the priority for us is to be proud of what we leave behind this Saturday.
“We've seen some great encounters in Tri-Nations and you're going to see an even better one on the weekend.”
The Wallabies have been strengthened by the inclusion of outside centre Ryan Cross, flanker George Smith, lock Nathan Sharpe, tighthead prop Al Baxter and hooker Stephen Moore.
Australia must also beat New Zealand to keep alive their chances of reclaiming the Bledisloe Cup, symbol of trans-Tasman rugby supremacy, with the series locked at one match each.
The fourth match will be played in Hong Kong on November 1.
Australia must win the series outright to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup, which they have not held since a New Zealand side that had Deans as their assistant coach prevailed two-nil in the 2003 series.