Bledisloe Cup: Australia vs New Zealand

While the primary focus for coaches and players throughout the Rugby Championship remains World Cup selection and refining game-plan options for the World Cup, this Australia vs New Zealand match is the one in the competition that does assume extra significance. It’s for the Bledisloe Cup, which is never taken anything other than seriously, even in a World Cup year, and with these two teams each having beaten the winless South Africa and Argentina in this year’s shortened Rugby Championship, it’s the competition final.

The Wallabies claim to be underdogs, for whatever that may be worth, but they will have drawn confidence from the All Blacks lack of urgency and physicality at breakdown, despite a rejuvenated Richie McCaw, and the Wallabies will be optimistic about their chances of disrupting All Black continuity through phases, led by the magnificent David Pocock and Michael Hooper duo.

Quick ruck ball could be decisive in this clash, though both teams may have to adapt to the law applications of referee Wayne Barnes of England. With eight northern hemisphere referees officiating at the World Cup and only four SANZAR referees, adaptation will be important.

If you believe recent history is significant, consider that the Wallabies have not won any of their last 10 games against the All Blacks, with two draws and eight defeats since 2011; also that they haven’t won any of their last five Bledisloe Cup games at ANZ Stadium, and have won only one of their last nine matches at ANZ Stadium. The Wallabies have not held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002 – the All Blacks have won or retained the trophy 12 times since then.

Key players:
For Australia, Pocock and Hooper, and in midfield, the skill and nous of Matt Giteau alongside the physicality of Tevita Kuridrani. Israel Folau is a potential match-winner in every game he plays. For New Zealand, the three Smiths, Ben, Conrad, and Aaron, plus the masterful Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, near the end of their iconic Test careers. 

The big match-ups:
With inaccurate goalkicking an issue for both teams – New Zealand’s unimpressive 69% success rate contrasted with Australia’s feeble 56% – the accuracy of Carter and Bernard Foley’s boots may be critical. We have an appetite-whetting loose-forward trio clash: McCaw, Jerome Kaino, Kieran Read vs Hooper, Scott Fardy, Pocock. At inside centre, Giteau vs Sonny Bill Williams. Out wide, Test rookie Nehe Milner-Skudder vs battle-hardened Drew Mitchell.