Tri-Nations
Aus to shake off losers tag?
2010-07-29 11:25
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Melbourne - The Wallabies are bidding to avoid their worst trans-Tasman losing sequence in 63 years when they take on the all-conquering All Blacks in a Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup Test at Docklands stadium on Saturday.
The Australians have dropped seven straight matches to New Zealand since coach Robbie Deans won his first Bledisloe Cup Test in charge of the Wallabies -- 34-19 in Sydney in July 2008.
The All Blacks are in the midst of another golden era and not since 1995-1997 and 1967-1974 have they dominated the Wallabies with seven consecutive wins.
The last time the All Blacks made it eight straight Tests against Australia was from 1936 to 1947 in an unbroken run of nine wins.
Top-ranked New Zealand have strung together 11 Test victories against all sides since their last loss to South Africa (29-32) in Hamilton last September.
Yet for all of the All Blacks' current superiority, the Wallabies have led at half-time in five of their past six encounters, and are looking for that little bit extra to achieve the elusive win.
The Wallabies, coming off their convincing 30-13 victory over the world champion Springboks in Brisbane last weekend, know a lot of their challenges are mental as well as physical.
Deans, who as a former All Black knows the New Zealand game intimately, said it was down to "mastering those little things" and felt his Australian troops were on track following their triumph over South Africa.
"We're excited about what's coming this week," he said. "They've been superb in the final 40 minutes and particularly in the last 20, they've been able to impose their will on us."
Hooker Stephen Moore said the Wallabies have let themselves down by not competing for the entire match.
"Our preparation is generally always good but it's that 80 minutes on the field that we've really got to knuckle down," Moore said.
"We can do it. For that full 80 minutes you've got to be at the throat, and that's something the All Blacks have been good at over the last couple of seasons and something we've probably fallen a bit short with."
Moore is one of two changes in the starting lineup, coming in for Saia Faingaa, while Berrick Barnes is at inside-centre with Matt Giteau shifting to flyhalf for the suspended Quade Cooper.
Playmaker Cooper will be a big loss for the Australians with his clever passing pivotal in opening up rival defences, while Barnes is a more conventional midfield back.
Saturday's Test will be a significant milestone for Joe Rokocoko, who will play in his 64th Test and move ahead of All Black greats John Kirwan and Jonah Lomu as New Zealand's most capped winger of all time.
Meanwhile Tony Woodcock, who is playing in his 66th Test this weekend, joins his former teammate Greg Somerville as the most capped prop in All Black history.
The All Blacks boast the experience of 700 combined Test caps in the starting XV with skipper and champion open-side flanker Richie McCaw lining up for his 86th Test appearance along with fullback Mils Muliaina.
"We will need all our experience up against what is a very good Wallabies side," coach Graham Henry said.
"We have had a good start to the Tri-Nations with the two wins over South Africa but there is no room for complacency.
"We are playing our oldest rivals for one of our most prized trophies, the Bledisloe Cup, and both sides will come out firing."
The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup, symbol of trans-Tasman rugby supremacy, since 2003.
Another bonus point victory this weekend will make the All Blacks overwhelming favourites to recapture the Tri-Nations trophy from South Africa.
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