Tri Nations Cup: Australia vs. New Zealand
The final match of the Tri Nations Cup tournament is set to go over the weekend and it will feature the rugby world’s two biggest rivals, the New Zealand All Blacks and the Australian Wallabies. The game will take place at ANZ Stadium in Sydney and will be the third match-up between the two sides in the competition. Although the All Blacks have already claimed both the tournament championship and Bledisloe Cup, the game still promises to be a classic, as neither team likes to lose to the other.
New Zealand was clearly the better of the two sides in their first two matches. The All Blacks won the first engagement in Melbourne by a score of 49-28, in a Test that featured a total of 10 tries, two sin-binnings and a red card. The second match took place in Christchurch and the New Zealanders were once again victorious, claiming a 20-10 win.
The All Blacks have been incredible in the 2010 tournament having won five matches and earning three bonus points. Currently the club sits at the top of the table with a commanding 23 points. The Wallabies will finish the tournament in second having defeated South Africa last week to earn themselves their 10th point.
However, the Aussies have their young superstar Quade Cooper back into the fold after the fly-half was suspended for both previous games against the All Blacks. Cooper is an integral part of the Wallabies offence, which is based on speed and quickness. The imaginative Cooper helps to distract opponents from the Wallabies lack of size in their forward group. Nevertheless, the Aussies were struck a blow when winger Drew Mitchell was ruled unfit to play, and hooker Saia Faingaa was handed a suspension. Coming in for Mitchell will be Lachie Turner, while Huai Edmonds will take a seat on the bench replacing Faingaa.
The All Blacks have chosen to stick with the squad that has gotten them to this point. However, fly-half Dan Carter suffered an injury and will not be available for the weekend’s match-up. His replacement will be 21-year-old Aaron Cruden. Cruden has long been heralded as the next Kiwi superstar and will earn his first cap on Saturday.
The All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is also set to become the longest serving skipper in team history as he is set to earn his 51st test over the weekend.
The Wallabies are coming off their first victory over the South African Springboks at elevation in 47 years and therefore emotions surrounding the team are understandably high. Regardless, Australia’s coach Robbie Deans maintains that his squad is headed into the weekend with clear heads, saying.
“We can’t afford to live in the moment. While the players are aware of the history that was associated with that performance, they are also aware of the significance of playing the All Blacks and the opportunity that they have in front of them this weekend.”
ANZ Stadium has historically been a stronghold for the Wallabies, as they carry a 21-6 record at the venue into this weekend’s match. However, the All Blacks have accounted for four of those losses and defeated Australia at the site as recently as last year.
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