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There isn’t a negative bone in Michael Cheika’s body. That’s best summed up by his recent quote that beating the All Blacks boils down to the 20 centimetres between Wallaby ears.
But Wallaby fans can be forgiven for being negative when an All Black Test looms, having not won one since 2011, nor seen a Wallaby skipper hold aloft the Bledisloe Cup since 2002.
Tonight at ANZ there will be a positive vibe that the drought will be broken, and in the process the Rugby Championship will be captured for the first time, setting up Bledisloe revenge for Eden Park in a week.
The Cheika changes to the Wallaby starting line-up are all positive.
A new front row of talented youngster Scott Sio, skipper Stephen Moore, and Sekope Kepu.
A new lock combination of former skipper James Horwill with a reborn Dean Mumm, and an exciting new back-row of Scott Fardy, Michael Hooper, and David Pocock.
Training sessions this week have been brutal, with plenty of plasma spilt, proving his pack means business.
And while the backs are virtually the same, they will welcome quicker and more controlled ball tonight to enjoy the extra space.
Expect a huge game from Israel Folau, and hopefully a 100 per cent goal-kicking performance from Bernard Foley.
Facing the Wallabies are two titans of New Zealand rugby – skipper Richie McCaw and the greatest goal-kicker of all time, Dan Carter. Both are playing their last internationals on Australian soil, and even though they are the ‘enemy’, both will rightfully be given a salute for their long-term service to the 15-man code.
McCaw has an incredible record.
Tonight he joins Ireland’s iconic centre Brian O’Driscoll as rugby’s most capped international with 141.
McCaw is also Test rugby’s most successful skipper, with an 89.32 per cent win record – 91 wins, 10 losses, and two draws from his 103 Tests as captain.
Next is Martin Johnson, with 82.22 per cent win ratio with 37 wins, and eight losses from 45 Tests. Then Sean Fitzpatrick (77.45) with 39-11-1 from 51 Tests, and John Eales’ 76.36 with 41-12-2 from 55.
McCaw’s clash with Hooper and Pocock will be worth the price of admission alone.
Carter is worth his weight in gold as well – his 1491 career points leaves Jonny Wilkinson’s 1246 well behind.
Carter’s most interesting stat is his 265 conversions and 266 penalties, proving how many tries the men in black have scored. All the other top points-scorers have far more penalties than conversions, like Wilkinson’s 169 conversions to 255 penalties.
Carter has also averaged the most points per international in history. His 14.34 heads the list compared to Wilkinson’s 13.69, and Michael Lynagh’s 12.65.
So there’s plenty on offer at ANZ tonight. Let’s see which side has the more positive 20 centimetres between their ears.