With the first Bledisloe Cup Test of 2014 on Saturday, a long week lies ahead as supporters from both teams engage in predictions and banter about sheep, convicts, poaching and dole queues.
The All Blacks have it, the Wallabies want it. But can the Wallabies win the Bledisloe this year?
A fair bit has been made of the Waratahs maiden title win in Super Rugby, with many suggesting the Wallabies can glean momentum from that.
Fair enough too, a number of Waratah players will be full of confidence and are playing exceptionally well. That confidence and success is likely to rub off on their teammates as they prepare for this Test match.
There is also no doubt in my mind that the Wallabies are a vastly happier, improved and more settled group than the team of 2013 under Ewen McKenzie, which will be reflected in their play.
There is a good mix of youth, excitement and experience in this Wallaby squad and in Bernard Foley a quality playmaker who has shown he can stand up to the pressure of the big occasion.
There is also a growing depth within the Australian ranks, though just how deep this runs will be tested, with the Wallabies again troubled with a number of injuries.
No doubt about it, this Wallabies team are tracking upwards. However I am sceptical that it will be enough, this year anyhow.
The Wallabies will fight tooth and nail but the All Blacks have a very settled line-up and proven performers at Test level. While they have a few injuries of their own, their quality of depth remains greater than the Wallabies’.
Some have suggested that the All Blacks are too old. Richie McCaw, Conrad Smith and Kevin Mealamu among others have been mentioned as past their use by date.
Rubbish. If that were true they would not be there.
This group is highly motivated and will be fully prepared. The threat of this Wallabies team has been noted and the All Blacks will be ready.
McCaw being the last Crusader on the field, soaking in all of the Waratahs’ post match celebrations, is a great sign of how highly motivated and hungry he still is. As captain, he will leave no stone unturned come Saturday night.
I tell you what though, when you throw names like Stephen Moore, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Henry Speight, Will Genia, Scott Sio, David Pocock, Quade Cooper and James O’Conner into the mix, it really does change the whole dynamic of this Wallaby team.
At their strongest will be a challenge for anyone.
The Wallabies are coming for the Bledisloe. But it won’t be this year.
aussiecrusader
Guest
Something from Rolf Harris such as" Two Little Boys" would suit the Wallabies more"
AndyS
Guest
Certainly recommended...I did a bit of Africa during the SR season, and all it did was add a repeat in September to my list.
Sparky
Guest
Winning the Bledisloe is not the objective this year, but will provide a valuable check point on the journey to winning the next World Cup. Patience and perseverance - the Bledisloe will come
Mike
Guest
Good point
Mike
Guest
Our "two top looseheads" set a fairly average standard last season against Boks and ABs. Not bad, but with a great deal of room for improvement. So we don't know what our best front row is. Our thinking starts afresh on Saturday.
Mike
Guest
As is the reverse
Justin3
Guest
Crockett should be whistled of the park. Every scrum is the same, he bores in at 45. If u were link that is all I would discuss with the ref pre game now that the Halo is being rightfully penalised :-)
Justin3
Guest
Horan amd little..com
Digby
Roar Guru
Great call on Tanaka, very under rated I feel.
KIBUI BUTT
Roar Rookie
I had Murray, Care, Tanaka and Fourie in the my top 5 behind Smith.....Murray adds flanker worthy defense to the mix, but can't touch Smith for sniping ability/nous.
Digby
Roar Guru
Fantastic. SA is certainly on my to do list.
Digby
Roar Guru
Nice call Harry. Great player.
KIBUI BUTT
Roar Rookie
Like Brussouw, but without the running game, and a little slower.........I'm still surprised that Meyer sees absolutely no use for him. I think he is better player than Coetzee (even wth his improved power game).
Harry Jones
Expert
The Irish scrumhalf, Conor Murray, is very good, too. My top 3 scrumhalves (and they play different styles) right now would include Murray, A. Smith, and du Preez. Murray might be the best of them, if he played behind a NZ or SA pack.
KIBUI BUTT
Roar Rookie
really good assessment Diggercane, I think Kaino and Read provide the physical edge in the loose and tight over the Aussie backrow.....Aaron Smith is miles ahead of any 9 in the world right now......Foley will balance and match Cruden/Barrett. The bench selections will be crucial, thought i would rather see Cane make the side over Todd......
KIBUI BUTT
Roar Rookie
Genia's form as a Wallaby was a little above average, and he gave away crucial possession with his repeated box kick attempts. He also had Quade under tremendous pressure because of the way he delivers the ball. Wallabies won't miss until he returns to his 2011 form. Moore is the biggest loss for the team, TPN isn't as proficient and gambles alot on defense, i think Charles and Hanson ably cover the 2 spot. I agree with BB, it will come down to the combinations, i would expect to see AAC shifted to 13 mid game if Kuridrani isn't up to it....I wouldn't be surprised to see Beale out wide if AAC is switched in for Tevita. Speights impact will be felt soon enough, he gives you go forward ball, keeps his marker honest and will almost always pull the next defender because of this ability and reputation. He is a game breaker, and will lift that back-line up a notch. Wallabies to eke out the 1st game and end up 2nd this RC.
Wallabies No. 1
Guest
The Wallabies must be a dead cert for a win then!
Hard to say, Meyer is very quiet, it is hard to read where we are when all he said was he is working on conditioning. The supporters are like everyone elses, some are positive, others are negative and I am clueless. WHat concerns me is the manner in which we switched off for the second test against Wales, we won the first one comfortably in the first half of the first test, and then things just went bland from then on. I think some of the players are suffering from fatigue, if not that, then I can't say.
Yep, the Boks worry me too ;)
Chivas
Guest
Good point. I think Bismatk really represents the changing guard from requiring your 7 to pilfer. It is not just about getting there early. Bismark just out muscles everyone. I guess that is why I wish he took after Fitzpatrick more and ran a bit wider. He is IMO one of the most damaging players in workd rugby right now. He just doesn't seem to have the work rate of a Burger. Also what is the feeling in SA about the upcoming RC and what noises are coming out of the SA camp. Do you think they will come out firing?