Wallabies benchman Scott Higginbotham was born on the same day the Wallabies last beat the All Blacks at Eden Park – September 6, 1986.
He is one of only six Wallabies who were even born at the time – period.
Sekope Kepu was seven-months-old, Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Scott Fardy were two, and Wycliff Palu was nearly four.
That was a magic day 28 years ago with the series locked at 1-1. The Wallabies won 22-9 at Eden Park with Alan Jones as coach, and Andy Slack as skipper, in a side that included Nick Farr-Jones, David Campese, Michael Lynagh, Simon Poidevin, Topo Rodrigues and full-back Andrew Leeds celebrating his debut for the injured Roger Gould with a try.
This was basically the side that had captured the Wallabies only Grand Slam in 1984. Mark Ella had retired after that tour. It was a great side, playing great rugby.
And that’s what Ewen McKenzie’s side must do on Saturady night. There’s much more at stake than ending a 28-year hoodoo.
The Wallabies haven’t won in New Zealand since 2001 with a 23-15 scoreline at Carisbrook. That win was a hoodoo breaker, the Wallabies hadn’t won there in 13 starts.
It was Eddie Jones’ second Test as Wallabies coach, and to win at the renowned “House of Pain” was even more uplifting, having lost his debut Test against the Boks 20-15 at Loftus.
Matt Burke, with 18 points, George Smith and Joe Roff were the heroes on that historic Carisbrook day. And it’s time the Eden Park hoodoo was put to the sword.
The forecast for Saturday night is nine degrees Celsius, with an 18-kilometre per hour wind and cloudy with zero chance of rain.
If the forecast is right on the money, expect both sides to welcome better conditions than last Saturday night at ANZ, and we’ll see a lot of ball in the hand rather than the boot.
McKenzie has stuck to the same squad as last week, but it must surely be the last chance for half Nic White and centre Matt Toomua to stay in the starting line-up.
Especially as the All Blacks have made three changes, and look a tougher proposition.
Liam Messam replaces the injured Jerome Kaino as blindside flanker, Ryan Crotty takes over at inside centre for the injured Ma’a Nonu and outside centre Conrad Smith resumes his spot after missing the first Test for the birth of his first child – a son.
Hopefully, Saturday night’s French referee Romain Poite has seen the rank amateur display of South African Jaco Peyper at ANZ, and makes the necessary adjustments.
International rugby needs referees who are number 31 on the paddock, and not self-appointed number one.
Grahame
Guest
Now that the results are in. Yes, it is about time the Wallabies ended the Eden Park hoodoo. But not this year David. So repeat it next year. And yes, West and Firstxv, the All Blacks played like the All Blacks!
Firstxv
Guest
Agree and as I'm getting all caught up in the hype the AB's to knock Oz rugby back a peg or two after playing second fiddle over the past few weeks in Sydney. Now we're back to the real home of rugby I'll pump for AB's by 18, the Eden park darkness factor to consume this W side. Expect a very frenetic start.
WEST
Roar Guru
Its time the ALL BLACKS played like the All Blacks.
Sportym
Guest
Red Kev, to be honest neither White or Phipps are outstanding. Its depends on who you partner them up with. Watching last weekends game, Toomua spent alot of time at at first receiver although he had 12 on his back. Therefore I am not sure about starting Phipps as he has not played with Toomua as a 9/10. If Foley was playing at 10, as a 10, I am all for Phipps starting ahead of White. My rationale is pick a 9/10 combo that play together, no time to experiment in a crunch Bled game.
bmwwilliams
Guest
Agreed. Couldn't help himself could he - as though all the talk this week was about dropping Toomua not Beale???
Rouaan
Guest
All this conjecture about the referee during this week is just immature and emotional. The ABs and Hansen have to apply the same standard to everybody at all times. 17 wins in a row, going for the record, nr 1 team in the world, twice as experienced as their opponents on the night, IRB player of 2013 and the list goes on…they were suppose to wallop the WBs. This selective pickings of referee decisions is just immature and emotional. What about Savea holding onto the ball when AAC was clearly on the ball and appealing to Peyper to go for a TMO decision. That was a penalty try AND a yellow card for Savea. The WBs should feel aggrieved. The ABs are getting desperate if the odd scrum free kick calls don’t go their way and they go public about their interaction with Peyper after the game. This is damage control and a very weak PR job from Hansen.
Louie
Guest
Why worry about the past? It's done, yet another one the Wallabies should have won over the years. ABs have been a great team, those days are now winding down but not yet over...
lockstock
Guest
Lordy Lord loves baiting the crowd...Happy to bite. Toomua has the Wallabies 12 jersey locked up for the RWC and beyond, so get over your fantasy of an all-blue backline, it ain't happening!
Starchild
Guest
All the best with that, Lordy it will take a miracle and some dodgy refing and 15 against 13 All Blacks to win. True story - Young man called Starchild walks into a Malaysian restaurant and orders his main meal to take away and then also asks for the Currry puff, but say's, "Powder puff" Asian waiter intuitively knows what Starchild is implying and throws his take away meal at him as if he was a pie thrower.
Sportym
Guest
My bad. Happy to see the Phipps bloke have a run this weekend, link can save the Phibbs bombshell for the. Last test v ABs ;)
ben
Guest
Well he admitted he dished out the cards when they werent deserved. But then it appears your arguement is they shouldve been carded for other offences. But of course australia didnt do anything worthy of a card at all...and never do. The abs are only as good as they are because they are cheats...thats the stock standard australian arguement isnt it. Yawn.
Ben
Guest
Scott Higginbotham born September 6, 1986. Sekope Kepu seven-months-old, Ben Alexander, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Scott Fardy two, and Wycliff Palu was nearly four. Others not born yet. Sure puts the 1986 result into perspective. Thanks David.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Agree Horne was our best back by a reasonable margin.
Rhino
Guest
David Lord is the master of click-bait with comments like that about Toomua. Surprised it didn't appear in the headline to ensure he got 100 plus comments and earned his pay from the Roar.
Riccardo
Guest
I've heard a couple of rants about the Wallaby set up in the past. He seems particularly vitriolic while granstanding himself, if that makes sense.
Hopperdoggy
Guest
I find this ironic. Mr Lord is the worst journo in Aus for getting player's names right!
Andy Thompson
Roar Pro
"it must surely be the last chance for half Nic White and centre Matt Toomua to stay in the starting line-up." I can understand Nic White because he had a shocker last week but Toomua? He was immense. Oh wait, he doesn't wear light blue during the Super Rugby season. I get you now.
Riccardo
Guest
I think that's a little harsh on Horne. He made some errors but was still one of the better Wallabies on the paddock...
stainlesssteve
Guest
If Giteau had been properly looked after, the WBs might be going into this game with a ghost of a chance. Nobody i know is at all worried. Last week was WBs big chance, gone begging
Yogi
Guest
Jones comes across as a pratt because he is a pratt. I can only conclude that the wallabies were great in that era despite him. Every now an then he chimes in and provided some rugby commentary through the media but I have never found it very insightful coming from an ex-wallaby coach. I have heard a story 2nd hand from a wallaby tourist on the grand slam tour that said the players all universally hated Jones. He is a complex and controversial character. As a young teacher he was asked to leave King's college in sydney because of a "love letter" that he wrote to one of the boys which was found by another teacher. In this day and age that type of thing might have played out differently. He was caught up in a very sordid scandal over in London about something that occured in a public toilet in London. He was charged with "outraging public decency" and "committing an indecent act" but the charges were later dropped. These stories do not reflect on his skill as a rugby coach in any way but they do paint a picture of an unusual character.