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The Tri Nations is up for grabs tonight as the Wallabies face the All Blacks, aiming to avenge a 30-14 drubbing handed out at Eden Park. Like all trans-Tasman encounters, this one’s sure to be close. We’ll have a Q&A forum with Spiro Zavos from 5pm and live blog with scores from 8pm AEST.
UPDATE: Wallabies win 25 – 20 to reclaim the Tri Nations for the first time in 10 years. Read full match report.
Despite talking the talk, the Wallabies were well and truly outclassed three weeks ago as a ruthless All Blacks unit ambushed the Australians to jump to a 17-0 lead at half-time.
It was truly an impressive display from New Zealand and if there is a similiar gulf between the two sides tonight, it is reasonable to expect another rugby lesson being dished out.
But rugby can be a funny game, and the two Tri Nations games that have followed have given the Wallabies renewed hope that they can turn the tables on their fiercest rivals.
Two weeks ago in Durban against a Springboks side bolstered from their previous encounter in Sydney, the Wallabies demonstrated a resilience that saw them grind out a 14-9 victory.
The following weekend saw a second string All Blacks lineup travel to South Africa, and they were dispatched by the boot of Morne Steyn as the South Africans ran out 18-5 winners.
It sets up a winner-takes-all showdown for the Tri Nations tonight in Brisbane, with both nations level on nine points each.
Graham Henry has rung the changes from last week’s experimental lineup, with inspirational captain Richie McCaw returning alongside the likes of Dan Carter, Mils Muliaina and Conrad Smith.
For the Wallabies, Anthony Faingaa comes in for the suspended James O’Connor, while Robbie Deans has reshuffled his forward pack, bringing in Dan Vickerman and Radike Samo for Nathan Sharpe and Scott Higginbotham respectively.
It might be home soil for the Wallabies but the head-to-head stats in Brisbane make for awful reading. The Wallabies has astonishingly managed a meagre two wins and two draws from 18 matches in Brisbane, and have lost their last three against the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium.
Deans’ record against his home nation makes for similiarly gruesome reading, coaching for two wins from 13 encounters.
Regardless, it is a chance for Australia to regain the Tri Nations trophy for the first time since 2001 and a win over their rivals would provide significant momentum heading into the Rugby World Cup.
It’s the Wallabies v All Blacks, and like all Bledisloe Cup encounters, it is guaranteed to be a fiery encounter.
Brisbane has experienced wet weather throughout the week, and a deluge of 25mm is expected to fall on Saturday. It could present a stern test for the Wallabies’ forward pack against an All Blacks pack who will thrive on a tough contest at the breakdown.
Match highlights video
[livescoring id=”dom-RTN20110106″]
WALLABIES 15. Kurtley Beale, 14. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13. Anthony Fainga’a, 12. Pat McCabe, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Radike Samo, 7. David Pocock, 6. Rocky Elsom, 5. James Horwill, (c), 4. Dan Vickerman, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore. 1. Sekope Kepu.
Reserves: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. Salesi Ma’afu, 18. Rob Simmons, 19. Ben McCalman, 20. Scott Higginbotham, 21. Luke Burgess, 22. TBA.
ALL BLACKS 1. Tony Woodcock, 2. Keven Mealamu, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Adam Thomson, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Dan Carter, 11. Zac Guildford, 12. Ma’a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Mils Muliaina.
Reserves: 16. Andrew Hore, 17. John Afoa, 18. Ali Williams, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Andy Ellis, 21. Colin Slade, 22. Isaia Toeava.
Kick Off: 8.05pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England)
Betting: Wallabies $2.70, All Blacks $1.45 (TAB Sportsbet)
UPDATE: Wallabies win 25 – 20 to reclaim the Tri Nations for the first time in 10 years. Read full match report.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.