Ngani, Jordan and job security

Last week’s 38-13 scalp in Sydney means the All Blacks have a prime opportunity to lock up the Bledisloe Cup for yet another year in front of their home fans.

Here’s five talking points ahead of tomorrow night’s test at Eden Park. This was the news which put a plug on Hurricanes fans grumbling about the blockbusting midfielder missing out on the All Blacks’ 33-man squad for the Rugby Championship.

If it were up to them, he would be starting every week, even if Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty were fit.

Let’s see if his communication with first-five Beauden Barrett – an area coach Steve Hansen said he needed to work on when justifying his omission from the squad – has ramped up.

2. Michael security Cheika’s

His children were in tears after last weekend’s loss, and the Wallabies coach looked like he was about to blubber whenever television producers cut to him in the coaching box during the match.

Then, after referee Jaco Peyper blew fulltime, fed up fans bashed on the windows and made it clear they’d had a guts full of him and his rabble of a team.

The heat has only turned up, with calls for the Australian Rugby Union to axe him and his coaching staff if they’re to have any chance at next year’s World Cup in Japan. Another lost Bledisloe Cup series is only going to put him further on the hot seat.

3. Jordie Barrett’s back job

It’s difficult to get excited by Barrett starting at fullback, particularly when you think of his underwhelming form for the Michael Cheika has fired back at claims from Steve Hansen that the Wallabies disrespected Sam Whitelock by snubbing the presentation of his 100th All Blacks cap last weekend

At the All Blacks’ press conference yesterday, Hansen was asked about only a few of the Wallabies players going over to Whitelock’s on-field presentation after the test had finished.

Hansen chose his words carefully, bearing in mind the tenuous state of the feeling between the two sides on the back of an unprecedented period of All Blacks dominance.

‘‘It’s not for me to comment on what their policy is, you need to ask them what that is,’’ said Hansen of any decision to acknowledge these special ceremonies as a team.

‘‘I know if it was us we’d stay out and acknowledge it.

‘‘I think it’s a tremendous feat to play 100 test matches, it doesn’t matter what country it is.

Hurricanes in Super Rugby.

Hansen had planned to give him a stint on the sidelines, only for a hamstring injury to Rieko Ioane to force a reshuffle.

Barrett’s last start, in the Hurricanes’ semifinal loss to the Crusaders last month, wasn’t flash and you have to wonder how close Hansen came to keeping Ben Smith at fullback and bringing Nehe Milner-Skudder in to play opposite Waisake Naholo.

4. The Eden Park factor

Spectators get a better view of the action at most of New Zealand’s stadiums, including Christchurch’s tinpot venue at Addington.

However, Eden Park – New Zealand’s biggest ground – is without a doubt, and for whatever reason, a graveyard for

‘‘There’s a lot of energy, a lot of mental fortitude, a lot of time, and a lot of sacrifices by the players’ family to get to that point. It’s worthy of respecting it.’’

However, when Cheika was asked about it a couple of hours later at the Wallabies’ hotel on Waiheke Island, he stood up for his players and said they were unaware of any ceremony for Whitelock.

‘‘I’ve never seen it before,’’ Cheika said. ‘‘We certainly wouldn’t be asking to do it on another team’s ground. We do it in the dressing room, but if that’s what they want to do, I’m sure they did.

‘‘Congratulations to the player, he’s a fine player. One hundred caps is a really great effort and same to the lad [Owen Franks] who’s grabbing it this week as well.

‘‘There’s always respect there, and to say that we lack respect is a little bit of a stretch from Steve Hansen.’’

opposing sides.

Stats geeks can dive waist deep into the numbers if they wish, but let’s just drop this beaut here: Australia’s last win at Eden Park: September 6, 1986.

5. Owen Franks raises bat his

Last weekend it was Sam Whitelock cracking three figures, now it’s tighthead prop Owen Franks’ turn.

Franks is set to become the ninth All Black to play at least 100 tests, and the third front rower after hooker Keven Mealamu (132) and prop Tony Woodcock (118).

Franks is still without a test try, but you get the feeling the Crusader would rather heap more misery on the Wallabies at scrum time than dot down.