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The Wallabies and the All Blacks square off for the second time in the Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup double-header in Sydney on Saturday.
The All Blacks managed to hold on for a narrow 22-16 win in the first encounter in Auckland last month but this time they will be the ones playing away from home.
Winning away games has proved to be a Rubik’s cube no side has been able to solve this season. Four matches have been played with the hosts coming out victorious every time.
Downing the Wallabies in their own background will be an especially daunting task considering the All Blacks’ recent fall from grace. They were thoroughly beaten by the Springboks in successive weeks and haven’t played together since the 19-28 loss in Bloemfontein on Aug 25.
From a South African perspective, a Wallaby win will be ideal. The All Blacks will then be at the mercy of other results even if they do win their two remaining home fixtures. Conversely, an All Black win will put the defending champions in a good position to retain the title.
Perhaps All Blacks coach Graham Henry said it best earlier this week. “It doesn’t get much bigger than this,” Henry said. The Bledisloe Cup is on the line and it’s really a win or lose match in the Tri-Nations so that makes it an exciting challenge for us.”
The two struggling sides have both recalled former stars to turn their fortunes around. Ace flyhalf Dan Carter is back in the saddle for the Kiwis while explosive loose forward Rocky Elsom returns for the Aussies in what will be his first Test in almost a year.
Carter’s presence will bring some much-needed stability to a wobbling All Black squad. His left foot-right foot combination with Luke McAlister will also do wonders for their kicking game, which has been mediocre throughout the series.
The major issue will be whether Carter will be able to produce the performance needed from him or if he has been rushed back into international rugby too soon.
With regular skipper Stirling Mortlock sidelined for the remainder of the series, veteran loose forward George Smith will have to lead from the front with an inspirational effort.
Adam Ashley-Cooper moving into the midfield means youngster James O’Connor will start at fullback. O’Connor is a real blue chipper who has impressed with his cameos off the bench but starting against a side like the All Blacks is another story altogether. I expect the visitors to pepper the youngster with bombs early on to test his mettle.
New Zealand should have ascendancy at scrum time but Australia’s superior lineout skills even out the set pieces. As always, the battle at the breakdown between opposing captains Richie McCaw and George Smith will be fierce.
The backlines are pretty evenly matched as both have a good mix of playmakers and strike runners. Matt Giteau will obviously have a major part to play, but it’s young inside centre Berrick Barnes who could prove to be the difference maker.
Barnes has grown in leaps and bounds in his short international career and is already earmarked to take over the captaincy for the end-of-year tour. His tactical kicking has been of the highest order but as one of the smallest midfielders around, he will be thoroughly tested by the massive McAlister on defence.
All in all, it will be a highly entertaining spectacle that’s likely to go down to the wire. It’s sure to have supporters from all three southern hemisphere giants on the edge of their seats.
Key Battle: Matt Giteau vs. Dan Carter. This headlining duel has been well documented throughout the week. It’s the renewal of one of the great international rivalries with the title of the world’s leading flyhalf at stake.
Prediction: This is not going to be a popular decision but my gut says the All Blacks are going to pull a rabbit out of the hat. All Blacks by 3
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Originally Posted by sandgroperrugby
