Key events
1min: A barnstorming run from Holloway takes the ball into NZ’s 22m but the clear-out is deemed illegal. There’s a tip tackle (I think) from Porecki on Papali’i. I think there’s a card coming. Might be a red.
AUSTRALIA DID THE BOOMERANG!
The anthems are done. The smoke is clearing. And the haka is about to get underway. We’re getting close.
Ardie Savea is back! In my preamble rambles I forgot to mention that New Zealand’s wrecking ball, for my money the most versatile loose forward in the game and a man who would walk onto any team sheet around the world, is back. Hope he goes well.
The haka chat is gaining traction. This from a supporter across the ditch adds some perspective:
For context I’m a @wallabies fan.
Hell no. It’s a great show before the match. Love it. Keep it. The team responses (boomerang / advancing etc) are good too. Don’t force receiving teams to “put up and take it like a bitch” as Ione claimed (in different words) we should do.
— Sheepie (@bastardsheep) September 24, 2022
This is from a South African rugby writer. Fans across the Indian Ocean will be watching this one closely. It’s been a cracking Championship so far. How good would it be if the final game in Durban later today was the deciding contest?
Can’t see the Wallabies winning at Eden Park, but perhaps they can stop the All Blacks from getting the BP.
All Blacks defence has been particularly vulnerable this season… it’s possible that the ABs will win this one but fail to score 3 tries more than Aus #NZLvAUS
— Jon Cardinelli (@jon_cardinelli) September 24, 2022
For those of you who like the other oval ball, I’ve been told it’s the AFL Grand Final. I must confess, I know nothing about that sport. It’s like watching a swarm of bees pay homage to a Hieronymus Bosch painting. Still, if that’s your vibe. Take a gander at the live blog while you wait for the real stuff to start:
So much of the prematch chat has centred on the Haka. Last week, the Australian’s lined up in a boomerang formation. Dave Rennie had this to say:
The All Blacks are laying down a challenge with the Haka aren’t they? If you’re a New Zealander, you face a Haka with a Haka. Most sides in world rugby don’t have the luxury to be able to reply or respond that way. So the boomerang shape is unique to us. I’ve worked with a kaumatua (respected Maori tribal elder) in New Zealand for a lot of years and it was his suggestion back in 2020 to form a boomerang shape.
And the idea being that we throw the boomerang out when we start the Haka and it hovers above their head, mincing up their words and bringing their energy back to us.
And the idea of advancing in the boomerang shape is to show we’re up for the challenge. I think it’s an incredibly respectful way of approaching the Haka and our boys have certainly embraced it.
Apparently a few All Blacks took issue with the formation after their decisive try last week and gave their Wallaby counterparts a mouthful. They said it was ‘disrespectful’.
I’m with Rennie on this one. In my column this week I wondered if we should put a cap on the Haka. If it provides the All Blacks (and other Pacific Island nations) an advantage, should they be restricted to performing it on home soil? Needless to say, a legendary All Black and even a 127-Test Springbok disagreed:
Wallabies team news
Just the two changes for Dave Rennie’s side with Harry Wilson starting at No 8 and the fit again Caderyn Neville moving to the second row. Bernard Foley continues at flyhalf after making a remarkable comeback to Test rugby while Rob Valentini, one of the form players in the game at present, starting at blindside flank.
All Blacks team news
There’s a change at hooker with the double-try scorer Samisoni Taukei’aho making way for Codie Taylor. Sam Whitelock skippers the side in place of the injured Sam Cane with Beauden Barrett starting at fullback. Expect some bombs from his boots. His brother Jordie slots in at inside centre. Will be fascinating to see how he gets on in midfield.
Preamble
Daniel Gallan
Good morning, good afternoon, welcome to the live coverage of of the sixth and final round of the Rugby Championship from Eden Park, Auckland. Kick off is at 7:05pm NZST/5:05pm AEST/8:05am BST.
Last week was nuts. The match itself was bonkers, dominated by a refereeing decision that prompted Rugby Australia to write a formal letter of complaint to World Rugby.
It’s a shame that has been the main talking point as Australia roared back from a gargantuan deficit and almost pulled off one of the more remarkable comebacks in their history. New Zealand, though, did what they always seem to do and scored when it mattered to clinch it at the death. A team condemned as one of the worst in All Blacks history is now just one more victory from securing the tightest Rugby Championship in memory.
History is with the men in black. Australia last won here in 1986 which was the last time New Zealand tasted defeat at their impenetrable fortress.
The Championship may be over for the Wallabies but they’ll have revenge on their mind. It promises to be a cracker and I genuinely can’t wait.
My name is Dan/Daniel/whatever you prefer. I’ll be keeping you company as we build up towards kick-off.
Do drop me an email or say hi on Twitter. I do my best to reply to every message but I read every word and appreciate them all.
I’m off to make a strong coffee. In the meantime, sink your teeth into Angus’ preview:
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