All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has made the eye-catching claim that the Wallabies deserve favouritism for the Bledisloe Cup.
Hansen ignored 16 years of New Zealand dominance by declaring Michael Cheika’s team more than capable of reclaiming the trans-Tasman silverware in twin Tests this month.
His evidence is last year’s dead rubber third Test in Brisbane which Australia won 23-18 for just their second victory in the last 19 Bledisloe Cup Tests.
“We lost to Australia the last time we played them, so no doubt they’ll have a lot of self confidence and are worthy of starting as favourites,” said Hansen after naming a powerful All Blacks squad.
The theory, ahead of the opening Test in Sydney next week, defies Super Rugby form.
The Crusaders were dominant champions while four Kiwi teams finished with the best regular season records in the competition.
Australia’s only representatives in the play-offs were the Waratahs.
Hansen has boosted his 33-man squad from the one that swept France 3-0 by adding three accomplished forwards – fit-again captain Kieran Read, lock Brodie Retallick and hooker Dane Coles.
The 109-Test No.8 Read and Coles haven’t played a Test since last November while Retallick’s absence dates back nearly a year.
While Read took part in the final weeks of the Crusaders’ charge to a ninth title, Coles hasn’t played at any level since rupturing knee ligaments.
He is still recuperating and will miss both opening Tests against Australia, along with inside centre Sonny Bill Williams (shoulder).
Three Hurricanes players have been dropped from the French series – midfield back Ngani Laumape, lock/flanker Vaea Fifita and prop Jeff Toomaga Allen.
Laumape and hooker Liam Coltman train with the squad as injury cover for Williams and Coles.
Prop Tim Perry, who missed the French series with injury, and third-ranked halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi are the only uncapped players.
“The selectors found this an incredibly difficult squad to select,” Hansen said.
“It has to be noted that there are some very good players who have not made the squad.
“One of the positives of having such a talented pool to select from is that it creates natural competition, That competition should remove any feelings of complacency within our playing group.”
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes they shook it when he put them into a World cup semi, they shook it when he won a Super XV final as well...oh...wait...no ones ever missed a goal kick besides Foley in all of Rugby...
taylorman
Roar Guru
Lets see ...Japan?...ABs?...Japan?..ABs? ...tough choice...poor argument alright...
Reality Check
Guest
Cheika wont pick the correct team ,so it is all irrelevant. AB`s 3nil.
Reality Check
Guest
Bernard Foley lost that second test. The players must shake their heads when his only job on a Rugby pitch is to kick a ball through the posts, and he misses.
Cedric Petersen
Guest
If Pigs could fly.
Jacko
Guest
Phill you are probably right re NB not really being anti ABs but he certainly, at times, tries to downplay the whole NZ influence on rugby throughout the wourld and he is often happy to downplay the ability of some of the NZ players that are superstars world wide.....Perhaps a little envy...perhaps even some distant admiration lol. And if he would like to see NZ challenged a bit more then he is not alone in that. I would sometimes like to see that also but not enough to win. i still remember the losses to Aus and SA over the years so love seeing dominance for as long as it lasts...these things are often cyclic so I will enjoy it for now
Fionn
Guest
Yep. We just lost another home series to a team that is inferior to the All Blacks.
Hoy
Roar Guru
It's their problem they put the team on the ground... not our problem. The win counts. But what happened after it on the Northern tour counts as well. We have no standing to indicate any form coming into this match.
Phil
Guest
Yes,Hoy,and what about all the Kiwis saying we only beat a depleted side in a dead rubber in test 3?
Phil
Guest
OB,are you Hansens' secret script writer?To say they are wary of the Wallabies improvement and expecting a tough game would be fair enough,but to suggest the WB's are favourites is surely tongue in cheek stuff.
Phil
Guest
Jacko,it's hard to say this,but I actually enjoy your comments and they do even make sense at times,but to say NB is anti AB's is ridiculous.I think he,like most non Kiwis,would like some of the other international sides to challenge the AB's supremacy a bit more often,but I have seen nothing but admiration for their ability from NB.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, but the tickets for the AB test are significantly more expensive.
Tipene Roar
Roar Rookie
Just a reminder about the hurt after the last test between them.
jeznez
Roar Guru
broken sternum
taylorman
Roar Guru
I think its just a throwaway comment..anyone who takes that seriously is wasting time on it. I bet Hansen wouldnt bet his house on the bookies putting the W's out as faves. So there you go...nothing to it.
Brizvegas
Guest
Gotta sell tickets somehow
taylorman
Roar Guru
I think thats the whole point of Hansen saying it. Cheika has nowhere to go now other than say what a crock that is. Hansen knows the art of not providing any motivation to the opposition and stirring up interest in the match. Contrast his comments with ‘ ABs had better bring their A game to Eden park’. I mean... durrrr...
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Great comment KK (and congrats to the SR title, your boys has been amazing this season). Obviously, Hansen is playing some mind games with the Aussies but also with his own boys. The AB's are favorites, but I do see where Hansen is coming from. An injury free and perfect selected matchday 23 for the Wallabies are capable of winning the Bledisloe Cup. Maybe losing the Bledisloe in a weird way is the perfect tonic for the AB's ahead of the World Cup? If there are any weaknesses in this AB's side, it is way better if those weaknesses get exposed this year than in Japan next year (from a Kiwi perspective).
Englishbob
Guest
The front row is better than it has been for me, but can't help but think that Tom Robertson isn't up there with his all black counterparts yet. I can see chek picking Hanigan at 6.... I'd prefer Samu or even 6. These next few games will be very telling, chek hasn't had a squad this good since the RWC 2015, it'd be nice to see if he encourages place competition and form or sticks with his tried and tested
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
No argument that the All Blacks are the hottest ticket in town wherever they play (bar some matchups in the 6N), but your argument is pretty poor hence all four Test at Twickenham in November are sold out already. Yep, even the Test against Japan is sold out.