Well, Australia, you had your chance. With two of the three Bledisloe Cup tests at home this year, here was your prime opportunity to win back the trophy that is closest to Antipodean hearts.
Instead, the Wallabies’ diabolical performance in Sydney has delivered New Zealand a tenth consecutive year of trans-Tasman rugby dominance.
Yes, there are still two matches to go, in Auckland and Brisbane. And yes, victory in both would bring the Bledisloe back to Australia. But the chances of that actually happening are laughable at best.
For a start, the Wallabies have not won consecutive games against their fiercest rivals in more than a decade. Does anyone really believe that this squad can go back-to-back against the world’s best?
No team has beaten the All Blacks at Eden Park since the French miracle of 1994. New Zealand has not lost at any home venue in the last three years. History will certainly not be Australia’s friend on Saturday.
More importantly, the All Blacks will be keen to improve upon their display in Sydney, which was rusty to say the least. They really did have an off night last weekend, even if the Wallabies were too inept themselves to take advantage of the situation.
New Zealand lacked rhythm and ruthlessness in attack for long periods of the match. Some of that can be attributed to the enthusiastic refereeing of Alain Rolland, though the whistle-happy Irishman cannot be held accountable for the visitors’ poor finishing.
A strong defensive line and great intensity at the breakdown saved the All Blacks, but you can expect other aspects of their play to lift markedly on Saturday. Their attitude, which was exemplary in Sydney, will be complemented by better execution with the ball.
This team never underperforms in consecutive games. Just ask the Irish squad that toured New Zealand in June. The kiwis played poorly in the second test, and had to steal victory with a drop-goal in the final minute. A week later, they spanked Ireland 60-0.
Meanwhile, an injection of mere mediocrity would constitute improvement for the Wallabies this weekend. Last time they faced the All Blacks at Eden Park, their main playmaker suffered the sporting equivalent of a mental breakdown. It is difficult to imagine the Wallabies even coming close to a performance of sufficient quality this time around.
Of course, the Aussies will also be without captain David Pocock for the game. Though after the lesson he was given by Richie McCaw a week ago, that may actually be something of a silver lining.
Nothing points to an Australian victory on Saturday. Literally, nothing. And even if the impossible does happen, and the Wallabies do win, they will have to beat the world champions again in Brisbane to regain the Bledisloe Cup. Good luck with that.
Between 1951 and 1978, the All Blacks won 12 consecutive Bledisloe series. That record has not been challenged since, but having achieved double digits, the current New Zealand squad will soon be searching for a new milestone to surpass.
SamClench
Roar Pro
Y'all need a bit more mongrel in ya though Sage!
Sage
Guest
More than capable Brett. I AM entertaining that thought as forlorn as it may be and I always will. If we turn up, and that's a big if, we can roll them no doubt. Get a good lead, also a big IF, but if we do get a decent lead, I'll be interested to see how they respond under some real pressure. History tells us not all that well. Especially the thought of being the guys who allowed Aussie to break the "hoodoo". That plus the ashes and sack cloth that they'll all have to endure at the hands of their countrymen for losing a game they all knew they'd win.
Winston
Guest
They won't be two by the end of this season.
Sage
Guest
C'mon Sam. It isn't always about you guys. Matilda was/is all about what it did for us, not you.
Ra
Guest
Stick to the rugby Aware dude, stupid comments like that are equal to soccer hooliganism
Alan H
Guest
As much as I feel gutted we are not able to match the All Blacks and this article is spot on in its conclusions, there is solice to be taken from this bleak reality. We are in exactly the same predicament as every other rugby playing nation in the world and in a better situation than most. If we don't deserve number 2 in the world, we're not far off it and I believe we are still the best chance of knocking the World Champs off, just not this year I'm afraid.
Shop
Guest
They will be if Deans is given another contract.
Shop
Guest
"cogniscant of owning the reality". That's a gem.
moaman
Roar Guru
Brett--i for one always consider a loss as a possibility in any two-horse race and particularly when we play either the 'Boks or Australia. I dread a loss when we play England.I worry when we play France.I think about it briefly when we play Wales & Ireland. As to Eden Park this particular saturday....can't say I'm too aprehensive to be perfectly blunt. I thought your mob were a good bet last week-less so this week.But it wouldn't be a SHOCK were NZ to lose this week.Just an unpleasant surprise :-)
Cobra
Guest
Deans is an AB's plant. Wakey wakey...
silegusta
Roar Rookie
Australia are at long odds, The word Laughable is not out of place. but.... BUT... Looking down the team list. the group have the ability and the talent, SHOULD they perform, to be competitive and with the right stars aligned, win at Eden Park. I know that the majority of commentators on this website abhor any alternative thinking to the primary and dominating Rugby community viewpoint, yet they do have the talent on board. The combination of Genia Cooper and Barnes is mouth watering if they are given the space to work their magic. This space can be achieved through a strong Forward performance. Hooper could provide an injection of much needed energy and vigor. Sharpe, Moore, Robinson and Dennis have shown and proven aggression in the past. If by some incredible stroke of luck they decide to all perform on the same night, they are worth opponents.Anything can happen on the right day, and I am looking forward to another clash between the All Blacks and the Wallabies. Last week was disappointing and as a sports fan I choose to look forward and upwards. If the wallabies backs align, if they have the amount of space they need and front foot ball, if the forwards regress to their (at present) dormant animalistic agressive nature and control the breakdown and set pieces. Then the Wallabies have a team to beat their primary rivals. Unfortunately, that is just a few too many ifs for my fantasy to become a reality...
SamClench
Roar Pro
Not so fast Roger. The Wallabies are just in a poor cycle. They aren't going to be this poor forever.
SamClench
Roar Pro
Love it.
emric
Guest
Yes I consider it a possibility no Rugby Mad Kiwi ever truly writes off Australia. What would happen - The Heavens would open, the economy would slow by about 2% and the government would start to worry about the next election, the people will get very angry and will flood talk back radio the papers and every other rugby forum in the country there will be personal calls for the head of the NZRU to step down along with the entire coaching staff, others will call for calm and eventually commonsense will prevail the country will roll over and watch the team preform the next week. of course the All Blacks with wounded pride will slaughter Australia in the decider the Aussies will not know what hit them.
garth
Guest
kiwis haven't been able to aussie dole for years, it all goes to "true blue aussies".
Roger
Guest
Good point Nigel. The Wallabies are supposed to be the no.2 in the world however the gulf between them and the All Blacks is enormous. The All Blacks will humilate the Wallabies on Saturday night and this will do more damage to international rugby than it will good. Surely there will come a time when rugby will end up like a sport like Basketball or baseball a popular wordwide sport but lacks international appeal due to there only being one competitive team.
Aware
Guest
The only Kiwis I ever liked were Split Enz and John Clarke....and that chick from Underbelly wasn't bad either.
Riccardo
Guest
Are you AWARE that the Author is, in fact, an All Black fan? So let's just reflect: You're posting hatred and vitriol on a site well known to be patronised by both Australians and New Zealanders although I'll grant you it's domicile is in Australia. You've chosen to do this in reply to an All Black supporter who is commenting on an article posted by another All Black fan who has sufficient clarity and knowledge to pen a constructive article concerning the Wallabies' current predicament that is universally well received. I'm loathe to "connect the dots" for you my friend but I'll wager that the moniker AWARE is something your therapist has suggested you adopt to keep you positive and remind you to consider the larger picture. Respectfully it may be time to engage that therapist again. :)
katzilla
Roar Guru
He mad
Aware
Guest
Don't you have your own sports forums over there? Go home.