The Wallabies\u2019 retention of Joseph Suaalii on the wing has been touted as a \u201cbig body\u201d reason why Les Kiss\u2019 side could at last get a triumph in the \u201cBermuda Triangle\u201d for Australian rugby results.<\/p>\n
You have to go back to 1986 to find the last time the Wallabies defeated the All Blacks at Eden Park, the Auckland stadium where they are undefeated in 53 matches against opposition from around the world since 1994.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s record versus the All Blacks at Eden Park since Alan Jones\u2019 side won 22-9 40 years ago is: Played 24, Lost 24. 21 of those losses are part of the hosts\u2019 current unbeaten run since 1994, with three other defeats preceding it.<\/p>\n
This lopsided history has very much left the All Blacks touted as clear favourites for Saturday\u2019s latest Bledisloe Cup encounter in Auckland, but there is optimism that the decision by head coach Kiss to keep Suaalii stationed on the wing and not restore him to the midfield can cause trouble.<\/p>\n
\u201cExtra step in your pace\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
It was against the Springboks on September 27 when the Wallabies abandoned their persistence in selecting Suaalii as a midfielder. Instead, they started him on the wing for the first time, and the outcome was an influential role in the team\u2019s 42-38 win over the world champions in Perth.<\/p>\n
Previewing the opening match in the two-game Bledisloe series, ex-Wallaby Justin Harrison provided a colourful description on Rugby Heaven<\/a> of the challenge awaiting Australia at Eden Park. \u201cIt\u2019s the Bermuda triangle of results for the Wallabies,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cWell, for everyone, but I don\u2019t really care about anyone else. It is the (All Blacks\u2019) spiritual home. It\u2019s worth points sometimes. You take the field, you inherit a bit of an extra step in your pace, and you start to realise that you don\u2019t want to be the person to give up that history, but you also want to be the one to create it for the Wallabies.\u201d<\/p>\n Cam Shepherd, another former Australian international, suggested that the build-up analysis could be important. \u201cI would love to see the Wallabies just sit down and maybe watch the last five Tests we played there (at Eden Park).<\/p>\n \u201cJust watch the first 10, 15 minutes and just get your head in that space of what are we going to approach? What is it going to feel like? Live that moment a few times before they run out.<\/p>\n Harry Wilson explains the \u2018really good pictures\u2019 Rugby\u2019s Greatest Rivalry painted for the Wallabies<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cA lot of guys are playing their first Test against the ABs at Eden Park. Let them live that experience a little bit so when they get there, it feels familiar and make sure that we\u2019re the dominant team in the first 15 minutes.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a clich\u00e9 that\u2019s used all the time. If the Wallabies can be the dominant team in that opening 15 minutes, it sets the standard. But if we\u2019re poor, it\u2019s a long night at the office.\u201d<\/p>\n Harrison added: \u201cThis is what happens with cohesion and consistency and players sticking around to play domestic Super comp. A lot of the players taking the field with the Wallaby jersey on their back have beaten New Zealand sides in New Zealand.<\/p>\n \u201cNot the Blacks, I get it, but Super, so they\u2019re looking down the barrel. Sure, different jersey playing the national anthem, but they\u2019ve beaten some of these blokes. That helps when you take the field in New Zealand.\u201d<\/p>\n Talking of help, Matt Burke, another retired Wallaby<\/a>, talked up the significance of Suaalii wearing the No.11 shirt<\/a> for the second Test in a row in his 26th appearance. \u201cJoey on the wing, absolutely.<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we have seen from that first game he played against England thereabouts of two years ago was that he underplayed his role, but he had a big hand in getting some small movements across the park when he was jumping high, passing early, passing late, making tackles.<\/p>\n Justin Marshall baffled by \u2018real melon scratcher\u2019 All Blacks selection and predicts Wallabies won\u2019t create history<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAnd what we can see at the moment, there was a little bit of freedom two weeks ago against South Africa<\/a> when he was on the wing there. So, look to them to maybe try and exploit some aerial battles on the weekend knowing that their back line, the All Blacks<\/a>\u2018 back line, will be obviously looking forward and looking and getting ready for him to come down their channel.<\/p>\n \u201cBut as much as you can, get him involved in the game. That kick-off last game against South Africa, the first one of the day when he got up high and stole that reception, they lost the ball straight away, but they need to be ready for that kind of stuff because Len Ikitau<\/a> got some payout of Joey going up for the ball.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ll be using him in that way. Bring him in close as well. Get him off number 10. Get him off number nine. He\u2019s a big body, and that\u2019s what they\u2019re going to need on the weekend to be able to get over that advantage line.<\/p>\n