By DUNCAN JOHNSTONE in Sydney – Stuff.co.nz
The Sydney factor looms large over Saturday’s pivotal Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup test and it’s an ominous one for the All Blacks.
Despite its close proximity to New Zealand this magnificent city hasn’t been kind to the All Blacks since the advent of the professional game.
New Zealand have played 10 tests in Sydney since 1996 and have only won three of them with the Wallabies claiming the other seven, including the 2003 World Cup semifinal.
Nine of the matches have been played at what is now called ANZ Stadium, a ground that has had various guises since it was opened in 1999 after being purposely built for the 2000 Olympics. The All Blacks have lost six of their nine tests there.
This will be the 50th test played between the Trans-Tasman rivals in Sydney and not surprisingly New Zealand fare better overall in the 106-year history of clashes here, winning 29 tests, drawing two and losing 18.
But Australia in general hasn’t been an easy venue for the All Blacks since the Tri-Nations was introduced in 1996.
Saturday night sees Australia host its 15th trans-Tasman clash in Tri-Nations history with both sides having previously won seven games each. The All Blacks have a 2-1 win-loss record in Melbourne and are 3-nil in Brisbane during that period.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has found Sydney an awkward venue during his tenure, losing twice and having just one win. He is 3-3 on Australian soil. Both statistics are well down on his remarkable winning ratio of 84 percent in all tests.
Wayne Smith has had an even tougher time in Sydney, either in charge of the All Blacks or in his current role as assistant – his record is two wins and four losses at ANZ Stadium.
So Richie McCaw’s side will have to beat history as well as a highly motivated Wallabies team who will have last year’s record 34-19 performance in Sydney to boost their confidence.
All Blacks v Wallabies in Sydney in professional era:
1998: lost 14-19
1999: lost 7-28
2000: won 39-35
2001: lost 26-29
2002: lost 14-16
2003: won 50-21
2003: lost 10-22 (World Cup semifinal)
2004: lost 18-23
2005: won 30-13
2008: lost 19-34
Sydney’s place in the Bledisloe Cup record books:
Biggest Australian winning margin at all venues: 21 (28-7) at Sydney, 1999
Biggest Australian winning score at all venues: 34 (34-19), Sydney, 2008
Most points conceded by Australia at all venues: 50 (21-50), Sydney, 2003
Most points scored by Australia at all venues: 35 (35-39) at Sydney, 2000.
@SA Barbarians – dankie darem bly om te sien hier is meer as net een WP supporter hier, wag net my maat die bulle gaan sien ons STORMSAAM……
118@Scrumdown
@trupisero
Scrumdown, would you like me to give your E-Mail Addie or not……. your choice
@grootblousmile – You may do so. So far I have no fears about people on this site.
All seems to be sailing along nice and peacefully.
123@Scrumdown – Trupi and Scrumdown, you’ve got Mail
@Scrumsaam – 121
‘n Sterk wiepie is goed vir SA rugby. So ook ‘n sterk lions span.
@Cosa – stem saam, maar op die spoed wat die lions gaan kan ek nie sien dat hul vinnig weer gaan “sterk” wees nie.. maar ek moenie teveel praat nie netnou kom daai lions span en skop WP op Newlands waar die son nie skyn nie…..
@Cosa –
Twak man! Ons het die WCUP en Leeus gewen sonder hulle 😉
@Supa Die Bloubul – n swakker bul span is goed vir WP rugby en sodoende goed vir my gesondheid, LMGA……………..
@Scrumsaam – 121
hehehe lees gou post 4 op die Watson thread 🙂
@Supa Die Bloubul – 127
Maar jy weet mos Skoppie reken die WB was ‘n fckadilly lucky packet, walk in the park gewees!! Jou punt is? 🙂
@Scrumsaam – Earl Rose op sy eie gaan julle wen daar.
@K9-MonsterLeeu – Dis een van die dinge wat ek like op die site – baie humor! 🙂
@K9-MonsterLeeu – hoop Earl het die week n skool game by gewoon sodat hulle om mooi kan leer hoe om die basics te doen soos n bal uit te skop van n penalty af..
@Scrumsaam – Earl was by die skool game, maar hy het nie veel gesien nie – was besig om te fight met die ander skool se ouers 🙂
@SA Barbarians – Eendag sal die bulle die S14 moet oorhandig aan die span wat so belangrik is dat ons van hom praat met cabs lock WP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@SA Barbarians – LMGA ja wat dinge is rof hier in Gauteng by die rugby games deesdae….
@Scrumsaam – 135
Jy is wragtig ‘n reuse aanwins vir Rugby-Talk!!
So ‘n mond verdien ‘n hap snoek en appelkoos jam 🙂
@Scrumsaam – HAhaha, julle sou nou kon teruggaan en my opcheck maar ek se dit nou maar hier in die beskawing. Rassie is n dut, julle sou verder gevorder het met Fester daar. rassie het al die talent en span by hom geerf en toe maar ander gaan koop. 😆
Net bul,wp en leeu supporters hier.Fokop die plek.
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