The loss the All Blacks had to have

Probably why things go awry for us in World cups...you don't get to correct a loss in the a Knockouts. Loss means out and winning pool matches by 40 or 50 every tine doesn't set the side in a good state of mind in that respect. In terms of actual knockout prep NZs pool matches are the worst to play in the four years since the last tournament. That's why RCs and a series probably suit us more. We can absorb the odd one off loss.

t-man,Tui Sorry - I didn't write that how I should've. I agree that it was the loss the ABs had to have because your next performance, will always be impacted by your last performance, whether you win or lose. It is IMO, the difference between being complacent after coming off a win or compelling after coming off a loss. And, the proof was in the pudding last night about who was complacent and, who was compelling.

I agree and have always thought that way. So many times I've seen the ABs struggle to find reasons for winning, time after time. I genuinely think they're well above any side and have been since 2010 and while that continued will be subject to one offs, purely because they can't always match the hunger of every single side they play. The loss last week had a real and direct influence on this weeks score because it provides for both physical and mental changes in the players after the loss, and they find 'new' reason to win. They demolished oz this week 'because' they lost last week. Seen this scenario time and time again. And only the ABs are in this position in any sport I know.

Well he was exactly right. It was the loss we needed to have and now normal business resumed. This Wallabies side knows that when the AB's are on song they cant live with them

2008 was worse than 2011. There was a lot of crowing that O'Neill had swept in and pinched Deans from under our noses. It was a loooong week.

Thanks Old bugger, Perhaps I didn't quite phrase it properly. I kinda meant that the last day in October is the last possible day for hallelujah, assuming the Wallabies make it to the final.

rick Actually, the ABs had 2 losses before RWC 2011 kicked off. I tend to disagree though - since when is it fine to accept a loss and meekly assume that the next encounter, should never be affected by the last encounter?? And, what is wrong with the notion that you can't keep saving games because of the "winning culture"? You're right though - the ABs were out-passioned and out-played last week but, if the players don't reflect on that and use that for their own personal motivation, then that suggests an acceptance, that everything was OK with how they performed....problem with that is, I don't believe the players, see it that way. And yes, everyone loses - some rarely lose while some rarely win.....it is human nature that some feel disgruntled at losing while some, feel exhilarated with winning because IMO, it depends on how you performed previously and what you do, about the next performance.

A loss the All Blacks had to have. Are we going to say this before every world cup. I think that was actually true for the loss to Aus prior to WC in 2011 but not this time. What we need to see from the AB is dominance, physically and in being able to impose their game plan. Should they lose tonight, this AB team is past their best. I don't think that will happen, sorry WB supporters but the names in this WB team don't stack up with your greats of the past. Also i don't think any difference in age between the teams is pronounced, the AB's average age is 27, so forget the Dads army thinking as experience matters a lot in WC's, especially in positions fly half, centre, no 7 and captain I think the concept of having to have a loss, causes complacency in the kind of thinking needed to avoid complacency! Loss is not the motivator, motivation is. Like this potentially risky AB notion that they can keep saving games at the last because of the 'winning culture' Losses have always been sobering for the AB's. Rather than risk sliding into needing losses for motivation, it's the coaches job to keep them honest and generally they do a good job at this but on the park its up to the players and ABs were out passioned and out played last week They lose sometimes and WB's at home is always a big challenge to win for AB's

Leroy, not sure anyone is looking for your sympathy ... so the AB's lost a game of footie ... like its never happened before..

Yes zhenry, I can confirm that if Oz win NZ will in fact fall into a free fall despair. I have that on official authority. McCaw and Hansen have also been advised accordingly, the international media are on standby and the rockets are ready to launch. Thank you. Stop.

We hear the same thing every time the all blacks lose. Kiwis have become arrogant about the all blacks as have the all blacks too. You lost! Shock horror. Stop with the excuses. And I'm hearing from the all blacks themselves that if they get the basics right then the skill level will bring them home. Wake up. You got owned across the field. No sympathy here. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.

Sheek: “On the other hand, if the Wallabies pull off an unexpected win, NZ will descend into free fall despair”……… Yes that’s a constant with a country that’s sold out its media to foreigners, now even most NZers tend to believe it. Look at the AB v WB record: Every time the WBs lose do they fall into despair? No, their media are full of ‘we will beat them next time’, but the Australian owned NZ media do not have that option (or it has become a luxury). True NZ is more self doubting than AU but the influence of Owners and their Board of Directors is real and well documented, and I have observed this process for many years as a person with my own time in the media

Sheek: "On the other hand, if the Wallabies pull off an unexpected win, NZ will descend into free fall despair"......... Yes that's a constant with a country that's sold out its media to foreigners, now even most NZers tend to believe it. Look at the AB v WB record: Every time the WBs lose do they fall into despair? No, their media are full of 'we will beat them next time', but the Australian owned NZ media do not have that option (or it has become a luxury). True NZ is more self doubting than AU but the influence of Owners and their Board of Directors is real and well documented, and I have observed this process for many years as a person with my own time in the media.

Ah my favourite saying in sport - "the loss they had to have"

Another old chestnut rolled out by Wallaby fans!

@ Old Bugger Agreed, as I myself too, am looking forward to this encounter, & Richie setting another milestone. Love your comment, regarding "Murray", as being a Kiwi & attending the same High School as Mr.Deaker, I did see the funny side of it. lol. Cheers

There is really something in the saying, of "it's the loss we had to have",as going back through the years, in my playing days,I know I myself can relate to that. It does bring you back on track, especially, when you know within yourself, & your fellow team mates know, that you can, & you should beat a certain opposition. If you are in a position, of winning constantly, you can become,at times, over confident, thus taking the foot off the pedal, so to say. I do think, to night at Eden Park, we will see a different beast in the way the All Black's present themselves. Shag,will have them firing, hopefully. Under the control of Nigel Owens, who I myself regard as far superior a ref, than what Barnes is, we should see a good flowing game. Who can ever forget, Owens performance back in 2013, at Ellis Park, at what is classed as possibly the greatest test matches ever played. Of very interesting news, is the possible availability of Waisake Noholo, for selection in the WC 31. If fully fit, he definitely is a must. After a few weeks of herbal Kawakawa treatment back in Fiji, he has now declared himself ready for action,& we all know what action he is capable of. As for tonight, may the best team win, in what I expect to be a great encounter

Sheek Agree with everything you suggest except the crystal ball comment in the last sentence - you need to get through the rest of September and most of October to reach the last day mate.....but, good onya for showing such positivity, at this early stage?

Hello John, This is my take on on the team selected by Cheika that many Wallaby supporters will say surprised them. Although he won't say this out loud, Cheika acknowledges the Wallabies aren't ready, or good enough yet, to win back to back tests against the ABs. Especially when the return test is in the ABs own den. It seems to me Cheika has conceded victory, because history overwhelmingly supports an ABs win today. So he's decided on the next best course of action, which is to select a slightly less than best perceived XV. The purpose being to make an ABs win today a hollow victory. Cheika is using the 'cover' of trying different players with the world cup in mind. But in reality he wants to take the wind out of the ABs sail. He wants to make this a hollow victory because the ABs will know they didn't play against the Wallabies best. On the other hand, if the Wallabies pull off an unexpected win, NZ will descend into free fall despair. Whether this is really Cheika's game plan I don't know, but it makes sense to me to think it could be. Also, whether Cheika is being a little too clever, only time will tell. This is not a course of action I would personally choose. I think you should try to win every test you play. But of course, these are different times with so many tests played. It's understandable both players & coaches become selective of when to put in. In any case, this is one ballsy move by Cheika. Whether it works out for him on the last day of October remains to be seen.

Maxxlord. Most gamblers almost bank their winnings after putting the house on an outsider. It all makes sense. Lets see how the game unfolds.