The Wallabies are braced for a fast and ferocious war of attrition when they confront the All Blacks in Saturday’s opening Tri-Nations clash.
The outcome may well turn on the battle between two of the world’s best ball winners who are desperate for victory to cement personal milestones — Richie McCaw in his 200th first-class game and George Smith in his 100th Test.
Australian coach Robbie Deans said he expected the contest to be resolved in the crucial breakdown area.
”It’s going to be physical, it will be fast,” Deans said.
Smith described the battle at the breakdown as a ”key component of the game” while the 70-Test McCaw underlined the importance of Smith to the Wallabies, saying he had to ”eliminate his influence on the game”.
The impact of McCaw’s return from injury cannot be understated for the All Blacks — bidding for a fifth consecutive Tri-Nations crown — who were woeful without their inspirational captain in their warm-up Tests last month.
Eden Park is a proven graveyard for touring teams with the All Blacks unbeaten in 20 Tests since 1994 and it is 23 years since the Wallabies last won here.
Deans is mindful of last year’s clash when the All Blacks bounced back from a 19-34 loss in Sydney without McCaw to whip the Australians 39-10 with McCaw in Auckland.
”Richie returned for that game and the transformation of the All Blacks side that night from the one we played in Sydney was remarkable,” Deans said.
”We went in hopeful and thought we’d prepared effectively. The ferocity of that [All Blacks] response is exactly what we’re going to experience on Saturday.”
McCaw has downplayed the significance of his return, pointing also to the reappearance of Rodney So’oialo, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith and Andrew Hore who are also back from injury.
They are among 10 changes to the side that struggled to beat unfancied Italy 27-6 last month.
A more settled Australia have made only one change to their side that beat France 22-6 in their last outing, adding the hulking Wycliff Palu to the back row.
Australia are also equipped to stretch the All Blacks with Smith being backed up by two more dynamic openside loose forwards on the bench in Phil Waugh and David Pocock.
McCaw, who has played only half a game of club rugby in the past seven weeks, is expected to play the full 80 minutes, according to All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen.
”He’s done it before, he’s our leader and we want him on the park.”
Australia, with a watertight defence that leaked only one try in their June Tests, are blessed with backs Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes, who offer a powerful kicking option, while flyhalf could prove the All Blacks’ Achilles heel.
Stephen Donald gets to start with Luke McAlister on the bench but both were found wanting in the June Tests.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry dismissed the underdogs tag saying ”it’s good for a change” but he admitted a win ”will be fabulous”.
One issue which does count against the visitors is the Eden Park ”hoodoo” and Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock said breaking that was a motivating factor.
”It shouldn’t be but the reality is some sort of hoodoos sometimes eventuate in sport and the reality is they get broken and this is a great opportunity.” — AFP
