http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7841383/Trans-Tasman-rivalry-stokes-Bledisloe-tension
Trans-Tasman rivalry stokes Bledisloe tension
Steve Hansen couldn't hide his irritation.
Although there is nothing but pride riding on tonight's test against the Wallabies, the All Blacks coach arched his back in anger following such suggestio
ns.
"It is not a dead rubber. It is a test match," Hansen said through gritted teeth this week.
So the All Blacks, even though they have already locked away the Bledisloe Cup, mean business in Brisbane? Too right they do.
Although they would prefer to stare at the sun for long periods than admit they are thinking about surpassing Lithuania's world record of 18 tests won in a row, the New Zealanders - who have won 16 consecutive matches - would be livid if that sequence is broken. And then there is the personal stuff to take into account.
There remains a feeling the Australians have the ability to get under the All Blacks' skins on a level few other teams, and let's not forget England here, can.
There is some tension between the Anzac neighbours.
Although they have struggled to beat the New Zealanders since Robbie Deans took over in 2008, when they have, the Wallabies have battled to retain any sense of humility.
When they have won, they have whooped, hollered and celebrated as if they are escaped POWs.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw also revealed in his recently released book that he did not know many Wallabies players on a social level.
That, he stated, was because they were reluctant to share post-match beers.
Unlike other opponents who mingle after games, the Wallabies remain strangers.
McCaw was irritated they snubbed the All Blacks' invite into their changing sheds following the 2010 test in Christchurch, an occasion which coincided with the new Deans Stand witnessing its first international with Deans in charge of the opposition.
And if the Wallabies somehow win tonight, McCaw should brace himself for another hefty dose of the men in gold going off their rockers and, given the situation they are in, they will have some justification.
Although the Wallabies finished second in the Rugby Championship, they have endured a season beset by controversy and a ridiculous injury count.
Deans continues to be forced to raise his shield to fend off the barbs.
Whether it be listening to the wild rants from Quade Cooper or the recent resignation of close ally John O'Neill, Deans has had his distractions.
His injury toll - at last count it was 23 - has been surreal.
But what must frighten Deans the most is that even if the Wallabies play with pride, tenacity and purpose tonight, they could still get smacked.
However, even if much of the usual Australian swagger and bluster has dried up, the Wallabies are not in roll-over mode.
"They are definitely a very good side. Unbeatable . . . no," No 8 Wycliff Palu said of the All Blacks.
And former hooker Brendan Cannon, familiar to many Kiwis for the infamous scrap he had with Keven Mealamu in 2004, has weighed in by urging the Australians to be more confrontational.
"You have got to fight fire with fire. We've been playing too gently against the All Blacks. We have to really rattle their cage, so they don't find their rhythm."
Such fighting talk is fine.
How the bedraggled Australians can convert it into a positive on the scoreboard remains to be seen.
- © Fairfax NZ News