Bledisloe Cup
All Blacks to show no mercy in Brisbane
Cornell Vander Heyden
October 16, 2014
Brodie Retallick returns for the final Bledisloe Test © Getty Images
Enlarge

Adam Ashley-Cooper's 100th Test will be a source of inspiration for the Wallabies but it is unlikely to be enough to beat an All Blacks outfit smarting from their first defeat in 23 Tests.

To describe the past two weeks as "turbulent" for Australian rugby would be a gross understatement. A nose dive from 30,000 feet would be more appropriate. After the in-flight spat between Kurtley Beale and former business manager Di Patston, the subsequent revelations of alleged lewd text messages and talk of disharmony between players and coach Ewen McKenzie, most fans would agree it's been a disaster. Optimists would point to similar cases in which these kinds of dramas have brought teams closer together and ended with triumphant victories against all the odds. Add in the emotion of Adam Ashley-Cooper's milestone and you have a case that the Wallabies are set for a remarkable victory.

Greg Growden previews the final Bledisloe Cup Test of 2014
Related Links

A case, but not a realistic one. Make no mistake, the All Blacks have been working overtime in the past two weeks to address the shortcomings that resulted in their defeat in Johannesburg and will be intent on putting that result behind them before heading off on their historic tour to the United States. The fact scrum-half Aaron Cruden has not been recalled - even to the bench - after his missed-flight episode underlines the level of discipline coach Steve Hansen demands from his players. Beauden Barrett has been solid at fly-half and Brodie Retallick's return from injury is a big boost.

Team News

  • Aaron Cruden's All Blacks exile continues, with Beauden Barrett named to start at fly-half and the versatile Colin Slade on the bench. Coach Steve Hansen's team named on Thursday includes five changes to the side which lost 27-25 to South Africa in Johannesburg two weeks ago. Lock Brodie Retallick and prop Wyatt Crockett both return from injury and hooker Dane Coles joins Crockett in the front row. Liam Messam replaces Jerome Kaino at blindside flanker, while Cory Jane will start on the right wing as Ben Smith is rested.
  • Quade Cooper will make his Wallabies return from the bench, while Christian Leali'ifano is back in one of two changes to the starting 15 which suffered the 21-17 loss to Argentina. Leali'ifano replaces injured Brumbies team-mate Matt Toomua (concussion) while lineout general Rob Simmons returns from his own head knock. Will Genia again misses out.

You only have to look at the respective quality of the final two Rugby Championship fixtures to get a sense of the enormity of the task facing the home side. Despite losing narrowly, the Springboks v All Blacks Test was easily the best Test of the tournament and featured both scintillating attack and solid defence. In contrast, Australia were woeful after looking promising early.

In form

For Australia, Tevita Kuridrani put in another good display against the Pumas. He is producing these performances consistently now and has made the outside-centre position his own for now.

There were several standouts for the All Blacks - even in losing - but Julian Savea was again superb. He's always been one of the most damaging runners in world rugby, but his deft chip and chase, which led to Malakai Fekitoa's try, proved he has touch as well as brute force.

Out of form

Not so much out of form, but out of his depth. Or perhaps just another step on the learning curve. Wallabies captain Michael Hooper did himself or his team no favours with his communication with referee Nigel Owens and yellow card for contact with a kicker while still in the air.

Liam Messam put in a solid performance but let his team down with a needless high tackle that cost them the game and the streak. Schalk Burger was falling, but Messam's arms should have been nowhere in sight, given the match situation.

TEST RECORD BETWEEN AUS AND NZ

  • Played 175: Aus 47, NZ 121, Drawn 7
  • In Australia 93: Aus 28, NZ 59, Drawn 6
  • In Brisbane 20: Aus 3, NZ 14, Drawn 3
  • At Suncorp Stadium 5: Aus 1, NZ 3, Drawn 1
  • Last meeting: NZ 51 bt Aus 20 in Auckland, Aug 22
  • Last in Brisbane: 18-18 draw in Oct, 2012
  • Australia last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2002

Key area to watch

Turnovers. Richard Kelly produced some statistical analysis of the past seven matches between the two sides on ESPNscrum earlier this week which showed that New Zealand produce almost twice the amount of turnovers per match. They also make almost twice as many clean breaks, many of which have resulted from the turnovers. It shapes as a key area for both sides once again.

Stats

The All Blacks have recorded a draw and a loss in their past two Tests at Suncorp Stadium. The last time they failed to win three matches in a row at the same venue was when they lost 26-10 to Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1980.

Prediction

The Wallabies will try hard for Ashley-Cooper, but the All Blacks will win and win well despite a less-than-brilliant record in Brisbane. New Zealand by 17.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.