The Wallabies played well in losing to the All Blacks 19–14 in Hong Kong last Saturday November 1 – however, it was a disappointing end to the “home” season and a poor start to their European tour.
The Australians play Italy in Padova early Sunday morning (November 9). They have won each of their nine previous encounters, so a win is expected against the Six Nations team.
After that, the Wallabies play England, France, Wales and the invitation side, the Barbarians, in consecutive weeks. Comprising players from Rugby union playing nations, the Barbarians games are a high point in the English season and an expansive, running game is traditional.
Meanwhile, the All Blacks go on to play Scotland, Ireland, Munster (the renowned Irish club side), Wales and England.
While the Wallaby loss in the Hong Kong match was expected, it will still destabilise the side – which had high expectations despite losing both the Tri-Nations and the Blesdisloe Cup during the home season.
The All Blacks had the huge advantage of coming into the game at the end of their provincial-finals series, the Air New Zealand Cup (which was won by Canterbury this year). With no similar competition in Australia, the Wallabies had been restricted to the training paddock.
Admittedly, the All Blacks came together only four days before the Test, but nothing compares to match play as a preparation for big games.
The Hong Kong match was a dead rubber in the Blesdisloe Cup, which had already been won by the All Blacks. Still, both the Australian and the New Zealand rugby unions denied the game was a dead rubber, which was like denying that the sun rises.
As well, the Australian fans missed out on another home Test, for marketing reasons. But part of the marketing equation must be the retention of existing customers, or in ordinary language, the fans.
Both the Wallabies and the All Blacks will be approaching their northern tours with secret trepidation. Both teams are returning north for the first time since the ignominy of being bundled out of the World Cup in France last year. Both sides were expected to do well – with the All Blacks widely tipped to win.
The same predictions apply to these current tours – losses will be perceived as further humiliation for the Southern Hemisphere rugby giants and will be devastating for both sides.
In Australian, the first-season Wallaby coach, Robbie Deans, has been welcomed with open arms. But he has achieved little...in terms of results. In New Zealand, there is still a strong, fan-based push to have the All Black coach, Graham Henry, sacked for failing in the World Cup.
So the cost to both coaches will be high. On the other hand, greatness is often forged in the fires of adversity.
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