Preview: Wallabies V All Blacks, Bledisloe Two

As the two somewhat dazed sides come into Bledisloe two, in the long run they may actually benefit from their recent losses in the build up to the 2011 World Cup.

Any particular comfort that either Graham Henry or Robbie Deans had regarding the status of their team has been erased in their recent matches.  While a loss for either man unleashes the wolves, there will be cold comfort in the fact that it is better to have such problems now, and not in two years time.

For Deans, this Tri Nations has been an awakening as to his side’s pedigree.  After going through their home tests on cruise control, with Australian media trumpeting their quality, back to back losses have revealed some glaring deficiencies in the side.

Of these, it would be the lack of composure that would be infuriating Deans.  Not only is this uncharacteristic to Australian teams, it would be the last thing anyone would say about a Crusaders side.

Other aspects seem almost confusing, with the once vaunted Wallaby lineout having malfunctioned shockingly off late, but in the same breath, their once laughed at pack able to repeatedly shunt back a Springbok scrum.

Some have said that Dean’s philosophies may be the problem, and the above certainly backs this if there is an identity crisis.  But equally this is somewhat irrelevant, as the Wallabies are forgetting the basic tenets of rugby, which would not be a gaffe by Deans.

Two of which are fundamental.

Win the collision, and play for 80 minutes. 

The Wallabies principle of low commitment to numbers in the ruck is disrupting their rhythm, but their inability to play an entire match is a cardinal offence.

A sin that has haunted them against the All Blacks.

And of the visitors, it is almost a case of how the mighty have fallen.

At the beginning of June, New Zealand was undoubtedly the best team in the world.  They had won everything on offer in 2008, were ranked number one in the world, and had supplied three teams to the Super 14 semi-finals.

They then lost to France, outhustled by a passionate Les Bleus side, and now have suffered back to back losses against the Springboks.

While injuries served a legitimate excuse early in the season, the worst feature now is that it is difficult to say what is wrong with the All Blacks.

Clearly their patterns have been altered by their coaching staff, playing a far more up tempo style than we witnessed last year.  But key features of the All Blacks game, evidenced by over a hundred years of benchmark rugby, have gone alarmingly quiet.

They are not dominating at the ruck and impact areas, are rarely offloading in the tackles, and often when players make breaks, there are precious few players looming in support.

A feature of the All Blacks in the modern era is that sometimes they become too cute.  Try too many fancy moves and overcomplicated structures.  Sometimes, the best thing for any team is to remember the fundamentals, and remember who does what. 

A feature of Henry’s teams is to have forwards stationed in the backline as ball carriers, but are they forgetting that in open play, their key role is to secure possession?  The famous All Black forwards of yesteryear worked as a cohesive unit, with one able to throw a blanket over their pack. 

As Henry has reportedly dished out some harsh truths to his players, maybe the best approach would be to go back to schoolboy basics.

But beyond anything else, few All Blacks have shined, with form deserting even their superstars.

On paper, both teams appear well matched.  The Wallabies boast 547 caps in their starting XV, to the All Blacks 544.

Dan Carter’s return will lift the side, irrespective of the camps comments to the contrary.  There are still question marks, and this match must be won for the future of many All Blacks.  The last time Henry lost a Tri Nations glittering careers were ended, and already both Kieran Read and Luke McAlister have been elevated to the starting XV.

Read offers more options in the air and the Canterbury captain is known for his leadership qualities.  McAlister hardly deserves the position on form, but restores a traditional first/second five playing bloc for the All Blacks, as well as more kicking options.

As for the Wallabies, the return of Rocky Elsom should revitalise them in the loose, but whereas the bulk of the All Blacks questions are aimed at their men, for the Wallabies it really is a question of attitude.

They are in the comfort of Stadium Australia, and must win or the Bledisloe is gone for the seventh consecutive year.  And for the All Blacks, it is that statistic that will give them comfort, knowing that in the last 12 matches against Australia they have won ten, and may have a greater psychological edge on the Wallabies than Dean’s men would care to admit.

Tight match, but the All Blacks don’t go six matches without firing.  New Zealand by eight.