Kynan's Prediction
The All Blacks are in trouble, no doubt about it. There has been a general malaise in their play; a staleness born of six years under the same coaches. Graham Henry and Co look devoid of inspiration and seem unable to motivate their charges.
The Wallabies, by contrast, are just hitting their stride under Robbie Deans. He has made brave choices, casting aside under-performing old-timers, taking risks on youngsters, who have repaid his confidence with great performances. He has also brought some fight back into the Aussie pack -- look for Baxter, Moore and Robinson to give the highly-rated (over-rated?) All Black front row a working over (It could happen... there's a first time for everything).
They haven't downed the Kiwis at Eden Park for 23 years, but come Saturday, Robbie Deans is going to be sticking it to the NZRU officials who didn't hire him. And come 2011, when Australia win the World Cup, they'll really be crying. New Zealand let the best coach in the world slip away, and they start regretting it when they see Henry's washed up chumps run off the park by Deans' fresh faced youngsters. (Yes, even Stirling Mort lock is looking fresh-faced).
The selection of Steven Donald at 10 is testament to a camp looking for a safety first, kick-heavy approach, whereas Australia fielding two opensiders on the bench suggests a fast-paced, possession heavy game plan from Deans. If Giteau gets enough ball, he'll show up Donald as a clumsy oaf, and New Zealand will be chasing Turner and Mitchell to the corners all evening. If Ritchie McCaw truly is Superman (and I'm not doubting he is), he'll stand up to the three Aussie fetchers, slow down their ball, and let New Zealand grind it out (this from the same Graham Henry who claimed if he had to win with a drop kick, he didn't want to win at all...)
Australia by 7. Giteau top Test Rugby points scorer.
Andrew's Prediction.
Like a circling great white shark, the Wallabies can smell blood, and the All Blacks do have a certain "wounded beast" look about them these days. Deans' combinations are looking solid - a heady mix of battle-hardened experience and exciting young talent - and their defensive efforts against France and Italy were mightily impressive. The only cloud on the horizon will be rumblings of discontment from the players about Lote Tuqiri's recent axing and perhaps the nagging memory of last year's less than stellar campaign.
The All Blacks have a had a pretty torrid time of it lately. A series of uninspiring tests against France and Italy and injuries to some key players have left them with little to cheer about. But it's hard to ever write off the All Blacks where the Tri-Nations is concerned and the influence of the returning stalwarts like So'oialo, Sivivatu, and especially McCaw, cannot be underestimated.
I think the Wallabies will beat the All Blacks this year at least once, maybe twice, but it won't be this week. I predict the All Blacks to emerge victorious, by the skin of their teeth. In a fast-paced, but relatively low scoring match, New Zealand will get an almighty scare, with little magician Matt Giteau dominating proceedings, and Australia in front going into the final 20 minutes. Then, and only then, will wise old heads like McCaw and Muliaina finally get a grip on the situation and steer the men in black to a slender, but shaky, win.
New Zealand by less than 5. Mitchell top Test Rugby points scorer.
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