Thinking the unthinkable for fortress Eden Park
Who could forget the looks on the faces of the French players as they celebrated the great victory over the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland, in 1994?
If you were supporting the All Blacks, no-one could blame you for coming up with nothing but a blank stare and a weak smile when reminded of the occasion.
Because, the fact is, many New Zealanders sitting in their lounges on that afternoon were left numb by the experience.
You either stared at the ceiling, or told your flatmates or wha¯ nau you were taking a walk around the block with an imaginary dog.
For the record France beat the All Blacks 23-20, ensuring they left New Zealand with a 2-0 series win to boast about when they got home.
The killer blow, in case you didn’t know, was delivered by fullback Jean-Luc Sadourny who scored the winning try in the final minutes.
It was a try that had everything.
It began when Philippe SaintAndre gathered a kick from Stephen Bachop, instigating a long range try that eventually resulted in Sadourny diving across to score.
The All Blacks were in shock. They looked like those hapless stockbrokers who stood around gawping at the chalkboards when the share market crashed seven years earlier.
It seems difficult to believe the All Blacks have not lost at Auckland since that day.
It really is a remarkable record. Now, here come the Wallabies. They are marching over the horizon, full of self-belief after the 47-26 win over the All Blacks in Perth last weekend.
Close your eyes and imagine for a moment, what your reaction would have been if someone had gently tapped you on the shoulder a week ago and said the All Blacks could lose the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park.
You would have been within your rights to weep with laughter.
The Aussies? You have got to be kidding, right?
This is a nation that could get only one team into the Super Rugby playoffs, and as it was they – the Brumbies – got bundled out in the semifinal.
Late last year Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was in deep trouble after a poor season. The good oil was that Cheika had to front his employers and tell them what on earth was going on.
One of the most high-profile casualties was former Wallabies great Stephen Larkham. He was axed from Cheika’s coaching team.
New Zealanders had good reason to raise their eyebrows. Larkham was a first five-eighth who knew how to play. Really play. Kiwis respected him.
And then he got the Don’t Come Monday.
Yet, somehow, Cheika managed to do the unthinkable in Perth.
He got his players to believe they were good enough to take on the All Blacks at their own game – to counter-attack, to keep shifting the ball in contact and always look to play at speed.
The Wallabies lineout was outstanding. Their tight forwards carried the ball. The All Blacks were made to look ordinary because they couldn’t get their mitts on the ball, even before Scott Barrett was red carded in the 40th minute.
Now for Bledisloe II.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has never been afraid to back his instincts. He has often had the knack of being able to spot talent and recognise when they are ready to play at a test.
There have been some highprofile casualties this week.
Wings Ben Smith and Rieko Ioane have been replaced by Sevu Reece and George Bridge. Veteran prop Owen Franks has had to make way for Nepo Laulala.
The All Blacks won’t need to be reminded that it has been 25 years since they lost to Les Bleus at the Garden of Eden.
A number of them – Reece and Bridge for example – weren’t even born when Sadourny crossed for his famous try.
The scene is set for Bledisloe II.