Bledis-who? It’s been gone for so long that I’d almost forgotten what it looked like. Lucky it took the tour last weekend while it was here or I may still have drawn a blank.
It’s meant to be our biggest rugby rival, perhaps even our country’s biggest sporting rivalry alongside the Ashes, so why has it been so long since we were able to lock it up in our trophy cabinet?
The past is the past, but the fact remains that the Wallabies haven’t won a Bledisloe series since 2002.
It was a Test best remembered for the two streakers who entered the field donning nothing but a Vodafone logo – yes, even back then Vodafone offered poor coverage.
Of the major trophies in world rugby (and I’m only considering the Southern Hemisphere variety), Australia has only held one in the last decade, being the Tri-Nations title in 2011.
That year was supposed to be Robbie Deans’ turning point where Australia went from promising to threatening.
But on reflection, that tournament victory was built upon the creativity and flair of the Ewen McKenzie-coached Quade Cooper and his Reds teammates Will Genia, Digby Ioane and the leadership of James Horwill.
The Reds rode that wave of confidence and self-belief all the way to the Super Rugby title, Australia’s first since 2004, and the knock-on effect into the Wallabies squad was huge.
The Tri-Nations title was supposed to be the lift the Wallabies needed going into the World Cup in New Zealand, but (ignoring the fact Cooper got the yips) Robbie instead reverted to a more structured game plan, took only one number seven to the 2011 Rugby World Cup and cost a good squad a crack at the title.
Since then we all know what has happened, but now with Ewen at the helm, Australian rugby fans cannot wait to see if the Wallabies will try and replicate their style on the international stage.
Imagine Cooper, with a fully loaded backline, and Ewen calling the shots, asking him to play what he sees.
Imagine Cooper, linking up with Izzy or Jesse Mogg, Christian Lealiifano or Tevita Kuridrani.
It’s enough to make a backs coach salivate.
The time was right for change, and I’m really excited that Bill decided he was going to chop Robbie even if we won the Wallabies series.
Australian rugby is on the up. Of our five Super Rugby teams, only the Reds did not beat or better their win total from last year, yet they still recorded ten victories and qualified for the playoffs.
The Australian Conference won 37 of 80 games, up from 32 in 2011, which, while still a touch below where it should be, is a positive sign.
Combined, the Australian teams had 12 wins and ten losses versus New Zealand teams, which would’ve been 12 and eight excluding the finals series.
There are new, young and exciting backs and forwards coming through who are screaming for a Wallabies berth, and do you know what it reminds me of? The Reds in 2010.
In 2010, Ewen McKenzie stepped into the Reds job after the team had finished second last on the ladder.
The team had lost stalwarts Berrick Barnes and Hugh McMeniman and was built around an immature Cooper, improving Genia and captain Big Kev.
The other players were youthful, fast and hungry but widely unproven players such as Luke Morahan, James Slipper, Ben Tapuai, Ben Lucas and Rod Davies.
It’s no surprise that most of the guys ended up cracking the Wallabies.
Ewen turned the place around and established a culture that these guys were dying to be a part of. They played for each other and they almost made it to the finals.
Only a year later did they go all the way, and this year made it three finals series in row.
That squad had talent but it took McKenzie to step in andinstilthe belief that took them from good to great.
At the Wallabies he has gathered what he feels is great talent from around the country – now it’s his job to turn them into world-beaters.
I’m excited because McKenzie has the ability to start fresh – a new squad, a new style and renewed hope.
Yes, most of the guys in the squad have been a part of the setup at least since the Spring Tour or Lions series, but when he selects 23 out of his existing 30-man squad, maths tell us there will be at least one fresh face chosen.
Ewen brings hope and respect to the playing group, which was so sorely missing in the Wallaby camp since the Rugby World Cup debacle.
He was the right choice for the top gig and I cannot wait to see what he can do with Australia’s best players at his disposal.
There is one more area however that the ARU will be really hoping Ewen delivers the goods, and that is to the games coffers.
For a lot of reasons, none more so than successful attractive rugby, the McKenzie coached Reds organisation has been able to pull some absolutely staggering front office numbers.
This included over 32,000 memberships sold in 2012 (up from 15,000 in 2011), as well as the number one game day attendance average for elite sporting teams in Queensland.
There is no doubt Bill and his board would have considered these facets when selecting their new coach, and believe me it is the fans who will stand to benefit if Ewen can a) bring the successful game plan to the Wallabies and b) bring the sponsorship dollars and eyeballs back to the game.
I’m excited for the potential. I’m excited for the hope. I’m excited for the Rugby Championship.
Wherever you are in the world on Saturday night, watch the game. If you’re in Sydney, then get to the game. This is a new era and it won’t disappoint.
Ian
Roar Pro
Whilst your optimism is refreshing, it s a little too parochial toward Queensland,, Max Whilst the irrepressible Quade Cooper is very talented, he lacks the temprament required. We need someone with the composure and decision making required of a world class fly half to pair with Wil Genia. It's been a long search to find an able replacement for Bernie Larkham who you may recall was initially an experiment at Number 10, after being at fullback. Lets see how Toomua goes. If he cuts the mustard and builds an understanding with Genia, the half back pairing puzzle at last to be solved and The Wallabies will have gone some way toward redemption. The other huge inconsistency remains in the set pieces Until the tight five show better consistency, we will still experience this bumpy ride, whilst the referees continue to penalise them. .
Garth
Guest
I have noticed that tendency from Aussie sports media over the years. The most striking case was the short-lived Chappell-Hadlee cricket series. After the Black Caps won in a 3-nil whitewash of the series, there was barely a mention of it, compared to the previous year when Australia had won it. Strangely, Aussie cricket then decided that the Chappell-Hadlee series wasn't really viable long-term & wasn't a good build-up to the traditional summer tour of Australia by (insert team name) and stopped participating.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
sozz thanks for the link, and Jeff great article. One thing I will say. whenever I'm feeling depressed. I look at that tackle on youtube. The look on your face is priceless, it cheers me up every time.
Gasparin
Guest
Snobby, fair points, well made. But I don't really think that Quade did much more wrong than many others have done before him. I can't recall the Kiwis turning on Richard Loe after he callously broke Paul Carozza's nose (Iknow, that was 21 years ago). Or Tana Umaga when sending O'Driscoll home just ten minutes into the Lions' series of 2005. And if you look at the tape, there are certainly one or two incidents prior to the kneeing in the head where Ritchie plays a fair part in the villain role himself. He also plays so close to the edge of the rules, that most red blooded humans would be aggravated by his conduct. I think the real issue is that NZers don't like anyone giving Sir Ritchie a bit of his own medicine. And perhaps I would feel the same way if someone roughed up John Eales (although I would say that JE was decidedly cleaner than Mr McCaw could ever dream of being). To me, they also seem a little bit jaded that Quade is really a Kiwi, who thrived in the Aussie system. As for the 4m comment, I was really referring to the continual media coverage, encouragement from blokes like Taine Randell and the relentless nature of the attack, both on and off the field. Effectively, the nation turned on him. Time will tell with QC. Can't wait for the team announcement.
richard
Guest
No worries mate.There was no offence taken. niwdeyaj summed it up,it's just some supporters.I get nervous before every test the ABs play,and I daresay that would apply to most NZ fans.
Mike
Guest
The loss against Ireland was hardly due to McCalman. What was the alternative - take Beau Robinson? No reason even with hindsight to think that would have helped. Bryce Lawrence refereed the match against Ireland so its probable that Pocock would have made a difference if he had been fit, but nobody else I think. And whatever happens, we end up playing the ABs, so why does it matter? The fact is, we did get a crack at the title, quite a decent crack, but our good squad wasn't good enough.
sozz
Guest
haha could be. everyone has an angle
yep I know... that's why I also referenced the fact he only put one 7 on the plane to NZ. McCalman played there against Ireland and we got dominated.
Mike
Guest
Thanks Sozz. And yes, we do tend to think about the backs first, instead of the 8 players that usually make the difference. Interesting that Wilson rates the Pumas pack against the WBs. In the past it has usually looked that way on paper, but rarely reaping real rewards in the game. I wonder how much he is influenced by fact that Henry is with the Pumas again this year.
Mike
Guest
I want my money back.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
If anyone bothered to read niwdeyaj's post, you wasted your time. Kebab says Sam won that argument.
ScrumJunkie
Guest
All these roarers? Reality check, mate no one ever expects to flog the AB's. You show me a bloke that expects to flog the AB's, at any point in history, and I'll show you a BS artist.
Jeff
Guest
Sorry that was a poorly worded post written in haste.I don't believe the ABs are arrogant. I was trying to make a point in regard to Red Kev's comment: "I think the aim of all the RC nations should be to force the All Blacks into getting the Wooden Spoon. It would be a day celebrated around the rugby world" The Australian Cricket Team have a deserved reputation for arrogance and are reaping the whirlwind now.If you look at cricket websites around the world fans in other countries are celebrating our defeats.And the celebrations get longer and louder with each successive defeat.That's the trouble with being arrogant.No team lasts on top for ever. And as for Queenslanders.The worst example has to be Greg Martin [apart from Red Kev].I still shudder when I remember watching him on tv saying we were going to win the world cup because we had the best players in the world in 4 vital positions.Beale,Cooper,Genia and Pocock. Apart from Genia by the end of the tournament none of them were rated by the experts.McCaw totally outplayed Pocock with a broken foot and as for Cooper,well take another look at the video of the semi.He was appalling.And Beale well ..........
Snobby Deans
Guest
A couple of points on this; * QC played up the role of villain (starting with the churlish push on McCaw in Hong Kong in 2010, before the knee in the head), but couldn't handle the backlash. Not the smartest tool in the shed by any means. It was also a failing of those around him to get him to pull his head in (as you pointed out). Really, what did he think would happen? As an aside, I don't see that what happened to QC would be any worse than if there was a target on an AFL player heading down into enemy territory in VIC. Point here - it's a part of the game that a team's fans will sometimes take up the fight to the opposition if they think it will help. QC made himself into a pantomime villan, and the crowd played their part. Can't see that he's got anyone else to blame other than himself. * Vitriol of 4,000,000? It's not like there were 4m in the stadium at the time. I understand where you're coming from, but a bit over the top perhaps? We talk a lot about players who are Super 15 good, but not Test Match good (or at least, not against truly good opposition). QC is Super 15 good, but not the guy I'd want in my side against the All Blacks or Springboks or England or France.
dezzy10
Guest
Aussie media always talk it up but never eat the humble pie. If the Wallabies win, we will never hear the end of it. If they lose, the media will move on to the next sport, Ashes, nope not gonna eat the humble pie there? NRL talk about Cronulla Sharks drugs saga, contract negotiations of kiwi players ala Marshal and SBW? AFL, talk about the Bombers drugs saga? The Election?? Wait, the politicians are just embarrassing. For Australia's sake, they need a win.
Bobbo
Guest
As an AB supporter I actually hope the Wallabies turn up and play well. But I fear that far too often Wallaby supporters expectations are built up in the media only to be smashed when the reality sets in that the ABs are simply better and will win 8 out of 10 games or so. When the NZ cricket team plays Australia the media don't talk them up like they should win - if they do that is great (for NZ fans) but the way the media always talk up the Wallabies chances of late does not help anything in my opinion. Anyway, hope its a good game.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
There is always a piece ( well written btw Max ) leading into the RC or Bledisloe that talks up our chances. I always prefer talking up the opposition particularly the AB's and see us over deliver rather than the opposite. At home the Wallas are always a chance. As always the Wallas will need to be very good and the AB's off if we are to win.
Mike
Guest
"The Tri-Nations title was supposed to be the lift the Wallabies needed going into the World Cup in New Zealand, but (ignoring the fact Cooper got the yips) Robbie instead reverted to a more structured game plan, took only one number seven to the 2011 Rugby World Cup and cost a good squad a crack at the title." Sounds a bit like window-dressing: The fact is that we did get to face the ABs in the semi and we couldn't get past them. If we hadn't dropped the game against Ireland, then maybe we would have faced the ABs in the final. But no reason to think the result would have been any different, because we never looked like we had them
Kebab
Guest
Agree he will be singing Auld Lang in the dressing room on Saturday night with B Alexander
Kebab
Guest
Agree Sam you definitely won that argument