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This is going to make Ravi sweat!
Few people are giving Australia any chance of springing a Bledisloe Cup upset in Dunedin on Saturday night, even with the momentum of a last-start thrashing of Argentina, a couple of injuries to key All Blacks and the knowledge that, surely, New Zealand just can't keep on winning forever. Surely?
Australia is a $6.50 outsider for the clash and being written off as David to New Zealand's Goliath. Ouch.
Front cover of Otago Daily Times sports section.Source:
In fact the Otago Daily Times has gone as far as to mock Ewen McKenzie's men with a provocative front page of their sports section, featuring a Kiwi chullin' in the Bledisloe Cup accompanied by the headline ``Cup Envy: You can look, but don't touch''.
So you could be forgiven for getting ready to write off another loss to those merciless men in black.
But that's not how we roll.
We have crunched some numbers, delved into the history books and bitten off more than we can chew to come up with five reasons the Wallabies can win their Bledisloe Cup battle with the All Blacks.
Note to Kiwis: before you sprint faster than a Smith (Aaron, Ben or Conrad - take your pick) to the comments section to vent your fury at the slanderous suggestion that your almighty All Blacks are not altogether unbeatable, remember that it's Friday - and we're having a bit of fun.
THE DUNEDIN FACTOR
The Wallabies boast a formidable record in the South Island city, where they are unbeaten for 16 years. The fact that they've only played one Test in that time - a 23-15 victory at Carisbrook in 2001 - is by the by. As the saying goes, you're only as good as your last match ... in Dunedin. Furthermore, Australia is also unbeaten at Forsyth Barr Stadium. That's right, they have never lost at the indoor venue. Ever. Okay, they have also never played there before, either.
Play
Former Wallaby Tim Horan previews third and final Bledisloe Cup Test
NewsOctober 17, 2013 5:43
NEW ZEALAND SPECIALISTS
In addition to Australia's incredible recent record in Dunedin comes this stellar statistic: the Wallabies have won five of their past nine matches in New Zealand. Five! From nine! That's better than 50 per cent, and they've already played (and lost) in New Zealand this season, so they're due. That's maths. Just don't tell anyone that all five wins occurred during the 2011 World Cup - and featured opponents that were not the All Blacks.
HALFBACK HISTORY
Will Genia has bounced back from the disappointment of being benched to line up for his 50th Test. The Queensland Reds star becomes just the third halfback to notch a half-century for the Wallabies, following in the footsteps of Wallaby greats Nick Farr-Jones and George Gregan. And here's the thing, both Gregan and Farr-Jones celebrated their milestone with victories. So history is on Genia, and Australia's side.
Play
Winger Peter Betham handed Wallabies debut for final Bledisloe Test
WallabiesOctober 17, 2013 2:23
ALL BLACKS LACK BITE
Sure, New Zealand has had no problem tallying up try after try in 2013 but signs have emerged that the All Blacks are in danger of becoming toothless. Literally. According to stuff.co.nz, stars Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Ben Franks and Julian Savea have been pictured playing for the All Blacks without mouthguards. That revelation hasn't impressed coach Steve Hansen, who declared: "They'd be dumb if they didn't have mouthguards, as far as I'm concerned. I didn't wear one once and ended up with 14 stitches in my mouth from putting my teeth through my lip, so I'll be recommending they wear one.''
DEAD RUBBER RECORD
Okay, this one almost has some acutal merit. Saturday's clash is a dead rubber as the All Blacks have already retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 135th straight year - or something like that. The positive? New Zealand's record in recent Bledisloe dead rubbers isn't all that crash hot. That is, they haven't won any of the last three. Last year they were held to an 18-all draw in Brisbane, in a match Hansen described as one of the ugliest games of rugby he had ever seen. That followed on from Australia's 25-20 victory in Brisbane in 2011 that saw them clinch the Tri-Nations, and the James O'Connor-inspired Hong Kong triumph (26-24) of 2010.
Read more: http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/wa...#ixzz2i7YQRXcm
May the FORCE be with you!
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