The All Blacks have a taken a 1-0 lead in the race for the 2018 Bledisloe Cup, defeating the Wallabies 38-13 at ANZ Stadium on Saturday night.
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Final score
Wallabies 13
All Blacks 38
The Wallabies will take on the All Blacks as the Rugby Championship kicks off in Sydney this Saturday, in what doubles up as the first match of the Bledisloe Cup. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:35pm AEST.
Both sides know that two of the most important trophies in world rugby and the all important Trans-Tasman bragging rights are at stake over the next few weeks and a win in game one is critical.
Despite Steve Hansen’s bold/bizarre claims, the All Blacks are favourites and it’s easy to understand why.
The Wallabies are a bit more of a mystery – there’s plenty to indicate that they could really challenge the All Blacks in game one.
But at the same time there are those familiar concerns that the Wallabies are not going to live up to expectation.
So where is this game going to be decided?
Front Fives
The Wallabies pack have really come on over the past few months and with Taniela Tupou bringing something special off the bench the All Blacks know they will have to fight hard for supremacy up front.
The All Blacks front five though is looking mighty impressive and will expect to use their experience and ability to create a strong platform for their side.
Can Pooper fire?
At it’s best Pooper can destroy opponents in both defence and attack but as the Irish showed in June, there are ways to nullify them.
The work from the men in green in the second and third tests on Pocock was impressive and they really stopped his dominating influence.
Israel Folau
Can he continue to be an aerial weapon? His ability in the air is unrivaled but the way he was punished against Ireland could well lead to the Wallabies full back being a bit more hesitant.
The All Blacks might sense an opportunity to get Folau thinking twice, or even penalised, and put him under some high ball pressure early.
For the sake of the game, let’s hope the referee’s cards don’t play a big part.
Kicking from hand
In game one against the Irish, Bernard Foley and Kurtley Beale kicked well and made life hard for the Irish. In the next two tests they didn’t and it really cost them.
Against the All Blacks’ back three there will be no margin for error allowed so the Wallabies No.10 and No.12 will have to be at their very best.
There are plenty of other subplots to this game including the two new centre partnerships, how Beauden Barrett will respond to growing pressure and whether the Wallabies defensive system can stand up to the All Blacks barrage.
In summary – lots to look forward to!
Prediction
Despite recent losses, there is something that makes you feel that the Wallabies are heading in the right direction and with the inspiring Pocock, an improving front five and the home advantage there’s a lot to like. If they can rattle the Kiwis early then who knows what could happen.
However, the All Blacks just look better in too many positions and assuming they can handle the Sydney crowds then it’s hard to look past another Kiwi win.
New Zealand to win by 10.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 7:35pm AEST on Saturday.
SolidGold
Roar Rookie
He is a Kiwi - of course he didn’t get cited.
Merlin Octopus
Guest
I believe the green & gold are no match for the All Blacks and their winning percentage against any other nation is very low. I believe they should go down to Tier 2 and probably promote a Tier 2 team.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I doubt that very much.
Vesi Tagoiagea
Roar Rookie
at least a aussie supporter say something that make a lot of sense????????????
Vesi Tagoiagea
Roar Rookie
i understand the wannabies lineouts and scrums were rubbish dont blame ref you start to sound like another clown??????
Vesi Tagoiagea
Roar Rookie
Ref didn’t ruin the game the Wannabies scrum and lineouts plus their commentators ruined the game ???????????
Mike
Guest
That's it Cliff. I also despair - we needed to be doing what you say ten years ago, I don't hope for the Bledisloe or the Cook Cup anymore, just that we can survive long enough to turn this around.
Mike
Guest
We heard as much about their camps as we did about the ABs'. If you watched the game you would have realised why they ran out of puff. The primary deficit was one of skill, compared to the ABs, which in turn led to Ws being run off their feet. If you think the game was simply a matter of one team being fitter than the other, then you have no idea.
Mike
Guest
You tell me, chum. Learn a lesson in grace and humility from the ABs.
Mike
Guest
True, just as many questions as ever - the same questions asked under Knuckles, and under Deans, and under Ewen and now under Cheika. And they will continue to be asked under the next coach, and the one after that, unless there is deep structural change in Australian rugby.
Rugby fan In WA
Guest
Hooper looked spent at Half time and should have been pulled. He was clearly not 100% match fit. The Pooper game plan has limitations but is it worth playing them if one is not 100%. Why not look at developing other players other players/options and gameplans if Pocock or Hooper are not 100%? Or is Chieka worried that an alternative option to Pooper might actually work?
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Ollie, thanks - a good blog and I must say - VERY TRUE AND DIRECT OT THE POINT.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Well thought out comment and true to the point. And I really like Ollie's comment which is also true and direct to the point: "The Wallabies will talk of positives and foundations to build on but in truth there are just as many questions as ever about whether this set of players and coaching staff have what it takes to compete at the top level. Ireland made them look average over the three match series and the All Blacks showed the gap in class in the second 40 minutes today". Facts do not lie!!
adam smith
Guest
Surely it must be Cheika’s head who rolls?! Mackenzie & Deans were crucified for less.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Agree with you on the Pooper
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
According to Ollie, we lost 7 of our own. Be it 7 or 10 - it is far too many. Set pieces done well, win games.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
The skills and nous are big factors which are missing from the Wallabies on tonight's performance. So how is Mick Byrne contributing?
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Good summary. And on the point of 4 jumpers, that should see the end of the Pooper. But it will continue. For me both Hooper and Pocock are good. But a good big No. 8 would add grunt to the scrum and give us a lineout option. Put Pocock to No. 7. Tui seemed to be good, from all reports, at No. 6. We have some coming through but people say raw. Well for me at the moment on tonight's play - the Wallabies are raw. Hooper to the bench and he loses the captaincy. He must be in the 23.
ebop
Guest
...and skills and nous and ability
BledisloeAsUsual
Guest
Yes i’m sure they were offside as they defended all game. Happy for them to be penalised when they are. Wallabies deserved to lose and all blacks to win. Just want some consistency as a viewer who wants to see a contest