1
Recap: New Zealand v Australia LIVE | Bledisloe Cup II
Follow all the action from the Bledisloe Cup match live on RugbyPass as New Zealand host Australia at Eden Park in Auckland.
ADVERTISEMENT
Keep up to date with the latest score, stats and join the conversation anywhere in the world from in our Live Match Centre (click here).
There is plenty on the line for both the All Blacks and Wallabies at Eden Park in the second Bledisloe Cup test. Here are 10 points, written by New Zealand Herald writer Christopher Reive, that could go a long way in determining the winner.
FIVE REASONS THE ALL BLACKS WILL (PROBABLY) WIN
Eden Park
The All Blacks haven’t lost at Eden Park since 1994, and Australia hasn’t won at the ground in 33 years. If there was ever a team to feed off of a home-field advantage, it’s the All Blacks when playing at Eden Park.
History
In 165 matches between the two sides, New Zealand has won 114. You have to go all the way back to the 2001 Tri-Nations to find the last time the Wallabies claimed back-to-back wins over the All Blacks.
Pressure
You know what they say: pressure makes diamonds.
Former All Black Carl Hayman talks about his setbacks in 2019 https://t.co/Ov0w6hbw8L
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 16, 2019
Opportunity is everything
This is the All Blacks’ penultimate Test before the World Cup, but it’s also the last time they will play before the World Cup squad is announced. The midfield is still a puzzle, and there will be some tough choices to make in the front row and in the backline.
ADVERTISEMENT
On the wings, Sevu Reece and George Bridge have been handed golden opportunities to make a lasting impression on the selectors, while Sonny Bill Williams will start in the midfield looking to show he is fit and ready to go. They will all be eyeing a big performance.
Pride
If all the records and historic data aren’t enough to spur the hosts on, the simple matter of not wanting to see the Australians make off with the Bledisloe Cup surely will. Steve Hansen has said the Bledisloe is second only to the World Cup in their plans this year, so you can bet that they won’t want to see it going to Australian shores.
WHAT DO THE WALLABIES HAVE GOING FOR THEM?
Momentum
If you’re a believer in momentum, you will know it is firmly on the side of one team. On the back of their biggest ever win over the All Blacks, the Wallabies will come surging into Eden Park with the belief they can take the Bledisloe back home.
Nothing to lose, everything to gain
ADVERTISEMENT
They will have plenty of people cheering them on and hoping they win, but there will be very few who actually expect them to. The Wallabies have nothing to prove and everything to gain from this fixture.
Pressure (part II)
Pressure is a sword – and sometimes you find yourself on the pointy end. The Wallabies will be hoping that is the case for the All Blacks.
Nic White
The kid is a threat. His selection ahead of Will Genia in the No9 jersey last weekend out was questioned by some but he put any doubts to rest with his performance. You can bet he will get right back to scurrying from the back of the ruck to test the All Blacks defence. If he can cut through them as easily as he did last week it could spell problems for the All Blacks.
A former Wallaby has stoked the fires of trans-Tasman rivalry on the eve of Bledisloe II, firing a number of shots at the 'sad declining All Blacks.'https://t.co/8f63OtrWd3
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 16, 2019
Continuity, or lack thereof
Weekly changes to the All Blacks’ matchday squad doesn’t allow the players out there to form reliable combinations. Using the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe matches alikeWorld Cup trials is something that has to be done but it could be costly for the All Blacks in the short term.
NEW ZEALAND: 1. Joe Moody (39 caps), 2. Dane Coles (63), 3. Nepo Laulala (18), 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (23), 5. Samuel Whitelock (110), 6. Ardie Savea (37), 7. Sam Cane (62), 8. Kieran Read – captain (120), 9. Aaron Smith (85), 10. Richie Mo’unga (11), 11. George Bridge (3), 12. Sonny Bill Williams (52), 13. Anton Lienert-Brown (36), 14. Sevu Reece (1), 15. Beauden Barrett (76). Reps: 16. Codie Taylor (43), 17. Ofa Tuungafasi (28), 18. Angus Ta’avao (6), 19. Jackson Hemopo (4), 20. Matt Todd (19), 21. TJ Perenara (57), 22. Ngani Laumape (12), 23. Jordie Barrett (10).
AUSTRALIA: 1. Scott Sio (57 caps), 2. Tolu Latu (14), 3. Allan Alaalatoa (33), 4. Izack Rodda (20), 5. Adam Coleman (32), 6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (14), 7. Michael Hooper – captain (94), 8. Isi Naisarani (3), 9. Nic White (25), 10. Christian Leali’ifano (21), 11. Marika Koroibete (22), 12. Samu Kerevi (28), 13. James O’Connor (46), 14. Reece Hodge (36), 15. Kurtley Beale (86). Reps: 16. Folau Fainga’a (10), 17. James Slipper (89), 18. Taniela Tupou (14), 19. Rob Simmons (96), 20. Liam Wright (uncapped), 21. Will Genia (103), 22. Matt To’omua (45), 23. Adam Ashley-Cooper (117)
WATCH: Australia winning the 1998 Bledisloe Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
Lets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to comments