Test more important than dead rubber status implies
YOKOHAMA: Less than a year from the World Cup and at one of its prime venues, the All Blacks and Wallabies meet in a Bledisloe Cup test which holds more importance than its socalled ‘‘dead rubber’’ status implies.
New Zealand locked away the trophy for the 16thstraight year when it won the first two tests against Australia, making tonight’s test in Yokohama irrelevant to the series.
Disappointed Japanese officials say they only expect about 45,000 fans to attend the game at the 72,000seat venue.
But other imperatives have come into play, not least the function of the match in measuring the teams’ respective states of readiness 11 months out from the World Cup in Japan.
The All Blacks are clearly in a strong position as reigning champion and the world’s topranked team, having won all but one of their nine tests this season.
They have not been in vintage form but have had to contend with serious injuries which have allowed them to exhibit and increase the depth that underpins their top ranking.
Conversely, the Wallabies are approaching the World Cup in a weakened state, having won two of nine tests and dropping to No 7, their lowest world ranking.
Their lack of depth at times has been cruelly exposed and they have had to cope with a chorus of criticism of abrasive head coach Michael Cheika.
The All Blacks won the previous tests between the teams this season 3813 and 4012 but were less impressive in more recent matches against South Africa, losing the first by two points and winning the second by the same margin against the Springboks.
They had to come from behind, just as the Wallabies did to avoid backtoback losses to Argentina.
The All Blacks are expected to win in Yokohama as preparation for challenges next month when they play England and Ireland.
However, head coach Steve Hansen has counselled caution, arguing the Wallabies are likely to be energised by their remarkable win over the Pumas.
‘‘As a group of people Aussies have a lot of selfconfidence and I would rather have that than a weakness which allows you to selfdoubt,’’ he said.
‘‘They can lose five, six, seven games in a row and come out and beat the best team in the world because they believe they can.
‘‘There is definitely a mark of respect from our guys. We know we love playing them and I think they love playing us.
‘‘We love beating them and they love beating us. It is a oneoff game and winner takes all so, whoever wins it, gets to have an easier summer than the blokes who don’t.’’
The Wallabies’ win over Argentina lifted some of the pressure on Cheika — AP