Bledisloe battler could be brutal
Forget the World Cup subplots and batten down the hatches for a Bledisloe Cup test that doubles as a winner-takes-all Rugby Championship final.
It’s been easy to relate all things rugby back to the global showpiece later this year, but in Sydney tonight it will be of little consequence.
Wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, on debut, is perhaps the only starting All Black playing for a World Cup berth, while the Wallabies are desperate to get one hand on a trans-Tasman trophy that has eluded them for 12 years.
The result in Sydney, as All Blacks coach Steve Hansen pointed out early in the week, will have little bearing on what happens at the World Cup.
But it’s importance to the All Blacks is as great as ever, a likely a Rugby Championship farewell for captain Richie McCaw and first five-eighth Dan Carter, the centrepieces of a decade of Bledisloe Cup dominance.
This test has the makings of a classic with the Wallabies constant talk of their ‘‘physicality’’ not going unnoticed within the All Blacks camp.
It would not surprise if McCaw’s men take the chatter as a challenge which could make for a brutal contest at ANZ Stadium.
‘‘They are talking about bashing each other at training which indicates that’s what they’re doing,’’ McCaw said when asked about the Wallabies newfound physical edge. ‘‘At the end of the day they are the same players we’ve played other years. It’s winning the physical battles and playing in the right place [on the field. Everyone’s vulnerable if you don’t get that right.’’
While talk is cheap, the All Blacks were impressed by the way the Wallabies came back to beat South Africa a few weeks back and clearly have a healthy respect for what coach Michael Cheika is trying to do.
There has been plenty of bravado in Sydney this week with a host of Wallabies greats coming together for the launch of Fox Sports World Cup coverage.
Tim Horan, John Eales and George Gregan were among those talking up the side’s upward curve and predicting great things later this year.
It’s been some time since Australian rugby had such optimism and there is every reason to suggest they can push the All Blacks close in Sydney.
A year ago it took a last gasp Malakai Fekitoa try for the All Blacks to emerge with a 29-28 win in Brisbane, while there was also a 12-all draw on a wet night in Sydney.
Old-fashioned butting heads aside, there is also the promise of a fascinating tactical battle after the Wallabies selected David Pocock at No 8 and Michael Hooper at openside.
It wouldn’t surprise if the All Blacks targeted the Wallabies inside channels from set piece by running wings Milner-Skudder and Julian Savea off the shoulders of Sonny Bill Williams.
Australia have a potential weakness in the physically smaller trio of halfback Nick Phipps, first five Bernard Foley and second five Matt Giteau, and the All Blacks scrum will back itself to gain dominance.
Hansen’s main demand of his side will be stronger ball carrying and more accurate cleanout after both areas slipped against South Africa in Johannesburg.
Lock Luke Romano and blindside Jerome Kaino could be the designated battering rams and the All Blacks would do well not to leave their run too late.
Australia have built some reasonable depth and with Will Skelton, Matt Toomua and Kurtley Beale on the bench have some decent firepower in reserve.
Most of all Hansen will be expecting a far more polished all around performance from his side after patchy efforts against Samoa and South Africa in particular.
‘‘You look at June last year we were up and down through our first three games and it’s been the same this year,’’ McCaw said. ‘‘You don’t want to make any excuses… but being able to win and still give guys a crack and perhaps not have the fluency we’d like we are getting a real positive out of it. Everyone’s had a dig now and there is no real excuse for that [inconsistency] anymore. We need to put in a good performance or it will be a tough old night.’’