BLEDISLOE CUP REMATCH: FIVE TALKING POINTS

1. The case of the dropped wings.

It’s your call if you want to believe Steve Hansen’s claim he would have started Crusaders wings George Bridge and Sevu Reece for Rieko Ioane and Ben Smith, even if the All Blacks had the Bledisloe Cup in the bag. While it’s feasible that’s the case with Smith, Ioane simply had to be dumped. The 22-year-old has done little since scoring four tries against the Sunwolves early in the Super Rugby season. His lack of hunger is a real concern, and isn’t new.

2. Mo’unga and Barrett it is.

It appears Steve Hansen has all but made up his mind – Richie Mo’unga will play first-five and Beauden Barrett will trot out at fullback in Japan. Sticking with the muchdebated ploy for a third straight match says it all, particularly when the All Blacks have only 160 minutes of rugby before the World Cup kicks off. It’s too late to keep chopping and changing, particularly when the team needs to generate cohesion ahead of their tilt at a three-peat.

3. It’s time to get physical.

You have to drill awfully deep to recall another occasion when the All Blacks’ forwards were chewed up and spat out as they were in Perth last weekend. The All Blacks’ pack must have been beyond red-faced when they reviewed footage of the Wallabies pulverising them, and it goes without saying the Kiwis must roll up their sleeves and rebuff the opposition ball runners at Eden Park, a week after they ran amok for 703 metres.

4. SBW is back.

Another week, another midfield combination. Sonny Bill Williams is back after turning out for Counties Manukau the past fortnight, meaning the All Blacks will field the fourth different midfield pairing in as many tests to start the year. The veteran second-five eighth will partner Anton Lienert-Brown tonight. With Ryan Crotty (thumb) still sidelined, we still don’t what Steve Hansen’s preferred midfield partnership is.

5. The All Blacks’ demise.

Whether it’s been All Blacks fans reaching for the panic button, or overseas media outlets condemning the All Blacks as has-beens, there has been no shortage of gun-jumping. Make no mistake, the All Blacks have been poor, but talk of their demise is premature. That said, it won’t be if they get beaten at Eden Park, where they haven’t lost to the Wallabies in 33 years. Bookies have the Wallabies as $5.00 outsiders to topple the All Blacks ($1.15).