A lot has changed since the Wallabies last hoisted the Bledisloe Cup as a new group of players embarked on the challenge.
Australia returns to the scene of their last success in the series, aiming to keep it alive for next week's Test in Wellington and bring the trophy back for the first time since 2002.
On the occasion, the Wallabies secured a 16-14 win with those players now shaped with guiding the current generation of talent, including Rugby Australia president Daniel Herbert, Head of Rugby Union Players Association (RUPA) Justin Harrison and Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham.
Replacement Tom Lynagh and Max Jorgensen weren’t born yet whilst back-rower Langi Gleeson was just 11 months as the NSW powerhouse prepares for his first Bledisloe Cup and first match in Sydney.
“It’s a privilege. I’m really excited to get stuck in,” he said.
“To get the family here is all really exciting for me and just ready to get stuck in.”
Flyhalf Noah Lolesio is one of several who have tasted one-off Bledisloe Cup success but have yet to claim the trophy, coming off the bench in their last win over the All Blacks in 2020.
“It’s a huge motivator for us,” Lolesio said.
“We really want to put in the best result we can this Saturday and hopefully we can show that.
On the flip side, the All Blacks are anything from complacent about the streak they have formed.
The trophy has sat in their team room all week, and backrower Ardie Savea explained how the hurt of past defeats is drilled into the players as they look to avoid being that team that lost ‘the Bled’, as it’s referred to colloquially over the Tasman.
“When you first come in, you’ve got to understand the history of the Bledisloe,” he explained.
“Past of our week is understanding the Bledisloe when it was lost many years ago and that feeling from those players and not being part of that team that hands it over.
“It creates that feeling in your gut that you don't want to be part of that team.”
"We've heard from coaches within the group and they remember where they were exactly when the likes of John Eales hit the (winning) penalty in Wellington and that means a lot to us" captain Scott Barrett added.
"We certainly want to turn up tomorrow."
Prop Pasilio Tosi will play in his first Bledisloe off the bench and gave an insight into just how highly valued the series is.
“Hearing the history between the two nations, when it’s not a Rugby World Cup (year), it’s the Bledisloe Cup,” he added.
“Growing up watching the All Blacks and the Wallabies going head-to-head to take the Cup home to now being in the team, it’s a lot of pressure but it’s also a privilege to be a part of this match on Saturday.”
