The first Bledisloe match should be played as if it was the decider. If the Wallabies lose, they create a massive hurdle in front of them.
They then move to a place called Eden Park, a killing ground for all who oppose the All Blacks.
The Wallabies best chance is to win at all costs in Sydney. The All Blacks will most likely claim a win at Eden Park leaving the decider at Brisbane. The last Test in Brisbane gave the Wallabies a draw, time before that was a Wallaby win in 2011.
Hansen and the All Blacks will throw it all into the Sydney Test and there is no doubt Ewen Mackenzie will emphasise the importance of the first Test for his Wallaby team.
The June build up Tests are great at getting the teams warmed up and trying different combinations and bleeding new players. However the Rugby Championship is when it all becomes very real with every weakness exposed for all to see.
The All Blacks discovered this with England, who pushed them to the brink. England pushed every button and did everything the All Blacks didn’t want them to do.
Getting the All Blacks to become desperate at the breakdowns and forcing errors with massive pressure on their defensive line is the name of the game. The All Blacks were still able to absorb the battering and start applying their own pressure with a more physical contest at the rucks.
France on the other hand were not as competitive but they were still able to give MacKenzie an opportunity to see what his team can create and deliver, for the three Tests, two were very convincing.
They created a positive belief and confidence that’s required for the upcoming Rugby Championship.
MacKenzie knows team attitude and spirit is a major element to success. One can only come to this conclusion by watching how he stays close to the action with his voice right in the mix and keeping his team on the field at the break, by not allowing his team to lose focus and maintaining energy level’s with a job only half done type of vibe.
This team of Wallabies does look the part from the flashy Israel Folau out the back and Mike Hooper cranking the engine in the forwards. With the inclusion of Will Skelton, things could really heat up. All this leads to a new era and a clean slate against the All Blacks.
The Bledisloe has only briefly visited Australian shores over the past decade or so, hardly having time to sit down before being filled to the brim once again with more New Zealand beer. The Australians would love nothing more than to rip it away and fill it multiple times with beer of their own.
For this team, history doesn’t count for squat. For the All Blacks, history counts for everything!
Crackle
Guest
Agree, first time it was quite special but after that it sort of fell into the Swing Low Sweet Chariot basket, a bit lame imo
WEST
Roar Guru
Yep, pretty much just different combos. I have to say I like the way Coles is coming along, I like the copyrights for McCaw. Sailli could bust his way into the AB over the next few years, he could be another Nonu/Savea.
WEST
Roar Guru
Exactly what i meant. Wallabies Bledisloe stats are not flash, 2002 was the last time they held the cup, the other longest stretch was 1951-1979. Between 1979-2002 it was anyones game. The Wallabies must go into this year with a clean slate because dwelling on the past in this case could be a negative mindset and over the past decade contest for a Bledisloe takeover has been full of defeat and struggle. Hence "clean slate" another year another shot at taking the cup.
WEST
Roar Guru
MacKenzie is using the Tahs formula because its productive and the Tahs is basically the Wallabies run on team with AAC, IZZY and Beal out the back and the fact their all in great form at the moment will make the Wallabies very dangerous. The pressure will be on the Wallabies set piece and keeping it clean and tidy, the Wallabies will have to dominate possession and territory while maintain a high level of discipline... like England in the first test, also the All Blacks are developing they're driving mauls and no doubt they'll put it to use on attack against the ozzies. Wallaby forwards will have to set a platform, then finding a pathway threw the defense is the hard part. England had the ability to limit the numbers at the mauls and still get quick flow of the ball and that created over laps. England also used an effective kicking game with contestable ball, in the first test the All Blacks were very poor and it nearly cost them dearly. Wallabies will be just as tough as England or tougher and to claim a victory over the All Blacks will have to be a full 80 minute rampage, because thats one thing the AB are struggling with is competing the full 80 minutes.
WEST
Roar Guru
Good points man! England was a good team to have up first. All Blacks exploited a few defensive issues the English had in the final test, like allowing Savea extra room. Chris Ashton was exposed and AB running at Eastmond drawing in players then A Smith using his long pass to get it out wide. Defensive systems mostly have the full back to pick up the last man, the poms were not connected or they would turn up to late, their defensive line looked confused at times due to the AB width of pass, timing of support lines and drawing defenders in. England still trying to figure out their combinations was an area the AB found opportunities through good use of deception runners, width of pass and the All Blacks are very good at adapting and transitioning from defense to counter attacking. The All Blacks scored 9 tries to England's 4 thats a big credit to Aaron Smith and his ability to pass quickly and track on the inside with good support lines. Lancaster will head away with a lot of great information to put to use for the future. Hansen has an expectation for the AB like the Ellis Park test against the Springboks, something along those lines would be good. Achieving that level consistently is the toughest ask, thats part of the reason why the All Blacks are so successful, they are their own worst enemy and their harshest critic. Hansen will use the England series for everything its worth... and more.
Thunderguts
Guest
Emric, excellent post. Opposition Rugby teams will never understand the legacy of the black jersey and that is what sets the AB apart from all comers. The Ozzies with their "Golden thread" is a nonsense as it is a manufactured story like Waltzing Matilda.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
If only they had been good with the ball in hand, yep, when it became time to play Rugby they looked underdone. Couldn't help feeling like there were cliques and other internal rubbish.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Leonard Cohen, a Rugby fan?
Emric
Guest
The all black jersey belongs to New Zealand and the All Blacks fear our the whanau or whanaunga. The men who wear that jersey are caretakers for a short term only. They are the pride of our nation when one of them fails they do not fail themselves and there team mates they disrespect the jersey and in doing so disrespect the nations honour which that jersey represents The All Blacks are a legacy, but they are also a kiwi national icon and they are expected to behave as such
Team Taniwha
Guest
Is this selection a cut from the story published on stuff? Coltman will need to learn to throw the ball in to ever get near an All Blacks jersey. Is efforts against the Reds last round of super rugby was abysmal.
wardad
Guest
You do realise its not like a winning streak playing two-up ? [ which is always 50-50 anyway ]
soapit
Guest
i liked it the first time as something special. annoyed me the following thousand that were just trying to relive the moment.
DC-NZ
Guest
well, i think, that Hansen has pretty much picked his squad for the next two years. There will be some great combos in place by then... could be a few changes until Twickers 15, but should be close to this. Prop: Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina and Jeffery Toomaga-Allen Hooker: Dane Coles, Keven Mealamu and Liam Coltman Lock: Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano and Patrick Tuipulotu Lose Forwards: Kieran Read, Richie McCaw ©, Jerome Kaino, Liam Messam, Sam Cane and Victor Vito Halfback: Aaron Smith, TJ Perenara and Tawera Kerr-Barlow First Five Eight: Dan Carter, Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett Midfield: Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams and Malakai Fekitoa. Back Three: Ben Smith, Julian Savea, Cory Jane, Israel Dagg and Charles Piutau. ENDS
PiratesRugby
Guest
When you said "clean slate", I hope you meant it in the sense of fresh start and not 3-0. I think we can beat the ABs once this year. I hope we beat them twice. I don't even dream of three times.
WEST
Roar Guru
I would love to know who he's talking too? Seems to be a lot of information for the poor water boy to pass on. France and England were like night and day.... For the most part.
Sam Starr
Guest
Don't rule out Genia just yet he has plenty of super games to prove himself and im sure hell be in Gold again and play some part in the world cup next year
Sam Starr
Guest
The All Blacks aren't unbeatable and with such a big winning streak there bound to loose a game this year
Absolutely mate, confidence is the one thing you do not want to give the All Blacks
Lord Bledisloe
Guest
"All this leads to a new era and a clean slate against the All Blacks"- so you are just disregarding the past 12 years and pretend that it never happened? nah mate, NZ will be as tough as they have ever been this year! can't wait!
RobC
Roar Guru
haha, very true dsat. Yep. I worded it poorly. Basically I met Sean Fitzpatrick when he was in KL few months ago, and he shared something interesting. - Apparently xAB players spend time w/newly capped to instill the virtues of the AB players - A big part of it was instilling humility, the will to do your absolute best to win, and putting quite a bit of fear that they cannot let the veterans down. Because the ABs will be answerable to them.