All eyes may be on the Rugby World Cup later this year, but there’s a little something called the Bledisloe Cup to be sorted out before that takes place.
The biggest rivalry in the southern hemisphere kicks off again this weekend with the Wallabies hosting the All Blacks in Perth and there’s actually a lot more than you’d think riding on the result of this Test.
Obviously, there’s serious national pride on the line as Australia look to win the trophy for the first time since 2002 but, thanks to the shortened season, a win here coupled with an Argentinian win over South Africa would see Australia claim an unlikely Rugby Championship victory.
But can they do it? Have they shown enough improvement to be considered a threat to the All Blacks? Have Steve Hansen’s men showed some weakness in their tight Rugby Championship matches thus far?
To preview the big game, we got Roar rugby expert Geoff Parkes on the Game of Codes podcast to preview the first Bledisloe Cup Test of 2019 from both angles; where Australia can pinch it and what the All Blacks need to do to leave WA with a win.
Listen to the discussion:
Visit our Game of Codes hub to catch the full episode and be sure to subscribe and review on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or wherever else you’re listening.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Nick Bishop said around the penultimate round that Quade would be his pick. I still think Quade unfairly copped the blame for the Rebels’ limited tactics, while people who displayed much worse or no form over the season still got picked (Hodge, DHP, Uelese, Dempsey, Latu, even Foley in my opinion). However, I think it is pretty inarguable that Lealiifano was our form 10. So it is hard to complain when our form 10 is actually given the go. McCaffrey not even being in the squad rankles more. Makes a mockery of performance being rewarded when he misses out, while LSL, Jones and Dempsey are preferred.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Too many Tahs Azza, surely you could find some room for Banks!
Jamie
Guest
Agreed Azza, Hooper ( 6 million dollar man ) has been an absolute passenger for years. Time to let him go play NRC. With him at 7 we have slid from 2nd ranked to 6 th ranked.But no one mentions that.
Chris
Guest
Hopefully All Blacks by 50+ so we can watch Clown and Clown junior have a whingefest at the presser. How these two inept muppetts have kept their jobs is criminal.
Azza
Guest
The Reds Hooker Alex Mafi .Pay attention. Being a Waratah supporter you probably have never heard of him.
Geoff
Guest
Scubasteve Not really only Azza mate, I`d have Quade Higginbotham McCaffrey and Fardy in the best Wallaby 23 as well. It is Cheika who has driven our best players away or has personal issues with them which is detrimental to our performance. What 6/7 th ranked in the world now?Cheika won`t have the strongest team at the RWC. You saw how poor we were against the Bok B team and struggled to beat the Argies at suncorp. Nothing will change.
Luke
Guest
Be great to have Mafi on the team but he'll be lining up for Japan as I understand it.
geoffo
Guest
Biggest rivalry in the Southern Hemisphere? Maybe ask a New Zealander or South African about that.
The Neutral View From Sweden
Roar Guru
Is Azza last man standing in the QC for the WB brigade?
wek
Guest
Unfortunately australia (us) are no chance
scubasteve
Guest
Just as I thought we have all moved on from QC out comes Azza. Why not double down with Higginbotham, Fardy (not eligible) and Pocock (who is injured).
Azza
Guest
The team to give the ABS a run for there mon...what um er ? Oh wait..Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigt . Not a chance. 1 Sio 2 Faiingaa 3 AAA 4 Rodda 5 Arnold 6 McCaffrey 7 Pocock 8 Naisirani 9 Genia 10 Quade 11 Korobeite 12 SK 13 TK 14 Hodge 15 DHP 16 Mafi 17 Slipper 18 Thor 19 Fardy 20 Higginbotham 21 White 22 JOC 23 Beale