Rennie was the last Wallabies coach to defeat the All Blacks. In the six years since, the All Blacks have notched 11 straight wins against their closest foe to leave the lingering expectation that the Bledisloe will forever hold New Zealand residence.
At this point, it deserves citizenship.
The backdrop to this week, though, paints a tense, nervous picture.
A seemingly revived Wallabies side riding a five-test unbeaten run under new coach Les Kiss flies in well under the radar for another shot at history.
The Wallabies aren’t at full strength. They’re missing prop Taniela Tupou and loose forward Tom Hooper, both of whom returned to their clubs abroad as this year’s Bledisloe tie falls outside the international window to accommodate Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, and midfielder Hunter Paisami through suspension, hurting their chances.
Dave Rennie: “We want teams to kick to us because we’ve got a mindset to play on that.” Photo / Photosport
But so, too, are the All Blacks seriously wounded. Ruben Love, Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Caleb Clarke are major absences through injury. Fehi Fineanganofo, Anton Lienert-Brown and Patrick Tuipulotu are also missing.
Richie Mo’unga was named internally on Monday, only to suffer a calf injury at Tuesday training, ruling him out of the Bledisloe series before he’s reassessed for the end-of-year tour.
Mo’unga’s withdrawal forces a backline reshuffle, with Damian McKenzie grasping the playmaking reins for the first time this year and Beauden Barrett assuming his place at fullback after featuring in 15 minutes of the four previous tests against South Africa.
Rennie prefers McKenzie at fullback, but with Love and Mo’unga unavailable, it’s a case of needs must, with his experience favoured over rookie Josh Jacomb.
Barrett’s promotion further highlights the All Blacks’ most vulnerable area – their inability to defuse the high ball.
Alongside smaller wings Leroy Carter and Will Jordan, the Wallabies are certain to send Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i to challenge Barrett and the All Blacks backfield.
“They’ve got good men in the air,” Rennie said. “We had a strategy around it. If you include the scraps and the amount of clean ball in the air, we got around 50%, but South Africa were excellent in that department. We want teams to kick to us because we’ve got a mindset to play on that.
“The Wallabies play a lot more footy than South Africa, but they’ll play smart. Ryan Lonergan has a good kicking game and I’m sure they’ll use that to take pressure off others.”
Rennie underlined the widespread fine line calls by revealing he, forwards coach Neil Barnes and Graham Henry needed three selection meetings to settle on this week’s squad.
There’s no room for Fabian Holland, one of the All Blacks’ best in South Africa, and Tyrel Lomax has paid the price for the scrum issues with his omission from the squad.
Former captain Scott Barrett is immediately injected to start with Josh Lord after completing 92 minutes of rugby – two matches for Taranaki – since last November following back surgery.
“When we trained this morning you can see his influence, leadership and the connection as well,” Rennie said. “We’ve altered things a little bit there too, which should help.”
Scott Barrett makes his return for the All Blacks against the Wallabies at Eden Park this weekend. Photo / Photosport
Fellow veteran Shannon Frizell will emerge off the bench for his first test in three years after returning from Japan, with Tupou Vaa’i continuing at blindside rather than lock.
Those selections speak to the demands for the All Blacks pack to vastly improve their set piece and physicality at the breakdown and in contact after being bullied at times in those departments by the Springboks.
“It’s probably the hardest side we’ve had to pick,” Rennie said. “There were a lot of tough decisions, and guys who missed out are very close.”
Three successive losses to the Springboks, the non-negotiable expectation for the All Blacks to retain the Bledisloe, defend fortress Eden Park and deliver notable improvements, significantly elevates the pressure valve.
This Wallabies side can upset the All Blacks – their one concern is whether their bench can match the All Blacks’ power in the form of Asafo Aumua and Frizell.
Rennie, having coached many of those in Kiss’ side during his three-year Wallabies tenure, knows the threats they pose.
“They’ll come here confident. They’ve had a good run recently. As you saw against that African side, they were pretty dominant for 70 minutes.
“All sides come here wanting to be the team to break the record. The Irish were the same when we spoke to them post-game, so we’re well aware of what’s coming.
“No one wants to be part of the first team for a long time to lose at Eden Park or lose the Bledisloe. You’ve got to reflect on that, but you can’t be stuck in there. We’ve discussed it, and then we use it as fuel.
“They’re dangerous, but that’s good for us, too. We’ve come out of South Africa. We’ve got a point to prove there and we’re up against a worthy opponent. We know we’re going to have to be at our best, so our expectation is that brings out the best in us.”
Three months into Rennie’s reign and the narrative shifts this week.
From outsiders against the world champions to overwhelming favourites against the Wallabies, a response is needed to protect a sacred ground and trophy.
As their stocks rise, hope and belief replace a sense of dread for the Wallabies.
The All Blacks must harness and channel nerves to prove they are not as vulnerable as some suspect.
It’s a familiar theme, maybe, but this could, indeed, be a Bledisloe battle for the ages.
All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Josh Lord, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett.
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Josh Moorby.
Wallabies: 1. Angus Bell, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Jeremy Williams, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Isaac Henry, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright.
Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Lachlan Shaw, 20. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Declan Meredith, 23. Harry Potter.
Liam Napier is a senior sports journalist and rugby correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
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