Feisty foes have a history in Brisbane

A wander around two famous rugby venues in Brisbane can create flashbacks of some of the most distasteful incidents in All Blacks-Wallabies test matches.

Fingers crossed we get no such nonsense at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night. But, then again, you never know do you?

Given what has previously happened in the Queensland humidity at Suncorp and Ballymore Oval, it pays not to make hasty predictions.

Tucked away in the historical texts there are no shortage of controversial chapters, testament to how the controlled fury required for these elite athletes to perform at optimum level can translate into something more sinister.

In 2006 the late Jerry Collins, a menacing enforcer in the All Blacks’ No 6 jersey, tore a handful of dreadlocks out of George Smith’s head at Suncorp Stadium. A decade earlier Wallabies No 8 Michael Brial lost his marbles when he rained punches down on Frank Bunce at the same ground.

It takes about 10 minutes to drive from Suncorp to Ballymore, a picturesque park that no no longer hosts test matches, and there you can gaze across the green sward at the spot where All Blacks prop Richard Loe plonked a meaty forearm into the face of Paul Carozza in 1992.

The sight of Wallabies lock Steve Williams nursing a broken jaw, having been thumped by All Blacks flanker Mark Shaw at Ballymore in 1980 was another dark moment.

In terms of filling the trophy cabinet, this upcoming test at Brisbane means nothing. The All Blacks, for the 15th consecutive year, have already retained the Bledisloe but insist releasing the foot off the throat isn’t an option.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika summed up the emotions for both teams when he said: ‘‘It’s not like we’re best friends hanging around, there’s a lot of intensity when this encounter comes.’’

Pride is a powerful thing. So, too, is the chance to secure bragging rights over the summer months. In other words if the Aussies can’t have the Bledisloe, they can at least cause the New Zealanders some grief to ensure their trip home isn’t a happy one.

There’s nothing wrong with a bit of aggro, the sort of argy bargy that confirms to the fans that they are going to get their money’s worth, providing there’s no nasty stuff.

The Aussies want to mark reserve hooker Stephen Moore’s final game on home soil, at his old haunt no less, with a victory.

The All Blacks also have a powerful reason to get a result. Defence coach Wayne Smith will retire from the management team after the fulltime whistle, and loyal servant out with a victory will be a powerful motivator.

Organising a successful farewell party is one thing. Delivering the right outcome is another.

In 2012 the All Blacks marched onto Suncorp, resolving to mark popular hooker Keven Mealamu’s 100th test appearance with a win. The game ended in a tryless 18-all draw.

So, yes, Hansen was bang-on with his pre-match warning this week.

‘‘As everyone knows if you beat the All Blacks, you beat the All Blacks. It doesn’t matter what else you have done. They [the Wallabies] will be hanging their hat on trying to do that.’’