Yes, we do have some other, not so important rugby on today…Nothing to play for? Maybe but it is the beginning of the usual November stint up North for both team and you just know the two teams will want to start on a winning note. Sure, the Bledisloe Cup has already been cleaned after the All Blacks used it as a champagne receptacle for a while but the Wallabies always seems to pick up a notch when the play their neighbours and the neighbours, well they just don’t like losing, plain and simple.

The Wallabies had a poor season so far but not withstanding the coach still seems to be firmly set in his seat. As much as I like him you have to wonder how long before the knives come out, a poor showing this tour and we may find out how close we are.

The All Blacks coach used some smoke and mirrors, played a little bit of musical chairs and came out saying the moves set them up perfectly for World Cup 2011. His contract was renewed not so long ago but if you listen to the people at ground level the support for him is split. Some still see him as the man but other voice strong opinions about why he should never have been around after the dismal performance of 2007. The North has little to rattle the All Blacks and another clean sweep is on the cards. As for 2011, we will have to wait and see.

Back to tonight, like I said before there is nothing but a little pride and good start to play for but coach Deans had a lot to say about playing for the jumper, playing for the Country, pride and a few other words to wind up his charges. I would think a few players are also on notice, last chances and stuff like that. Expect them to come out firing. The All Blacks will play to win the game, as I said, they hate losing.

So what to look out for, again, the usual stuff. Has the Wallabie scrum improved even further in the little off season they had, can they build on a solid Tri Nations performance? Did the All Black coaches do enough to fix the line-out problems or will we see more of the same. With McCaw there the breakdown is always good to watch.
Players to watch: There are a few… already mentioned McCaw who has not shown his best this year in the black jumper. Mils Muliaina must be close to the last change saloon and a good performance is needed to pay back the trust the coaches have put in him. Rodney So’oialo would like to proof a point, why drop me? Digby Ioane is back after a long break, will he be anything like he was before his injury? Both flyhalves are usually worth the ticket price… Pocock managed to push George Smith to the pavilion, he will have to make sure to proof it was no mistake.

Results this century
2009: New Zealand won 33-6 at Westpac Trust, Wellington
2009: New Zealand won 19-18 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney
2009: New Zealand won 22-16 at Eden Park, Auckland
2008: New Zealand won 19-14 at Hong Kong Stadium
2008: New Zealand won 28-24 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
2008: New Zealand won 39-10 at Eden Park, Auckland
2008: Australia won 34-19 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2007: New Zealand won 26-12 at Eden Park, Auckland
2007: Australia won 20-15 at Cricket Ground, Melbourne
2006: New Zealand won 34-27 at Eden Park, Auckland
2006: New Zealand won 13-9 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
2006: New Zealand won 32-12 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
2005: New Zealand won 34-24 at Eden Park, Auckland
2005: New Zealand won 30-13 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2004: Australia won 23-19 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2004: New Zealand won 16-7 at Westpac Trust, Wellington
2003: Australia won 22-10 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2003: New Zealand won 21-17 at Eden Park, Auckland
2003: New Zealand won 50-21 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2002: Australia won 16-14 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2002: New Zealand won 12-6 at Jade Stadium, Christchurch
2001: Australia won 26-29 at Stadium Australia, Sydney
2001: New Zealand won 23-15 at Carisbrook, Dunedin

As for a prediction, it is a very hard one as it always is with these two teams. I go for the All Black by 8 for no specific reason…well; maybe Rugby Princess and her very sharp stilettos may play a role in my prediction!

Teams:

Australia: 15 James O’Connor, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 George Smith, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Drew Mitchell, 22 Quade Cooper.

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Rodney So’oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Jason Eaton, 19 Kieran Read, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Zac Guildford.

Date: Saturday, 31 October 2009
Kick-off: 17.35 (08.35 GMT)
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Tokyo, Japan
Expected weather conditions: Clear with scattered clouds later and with a high of 22°C, dropping to 20°C and a light westerly wind
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Craig Joubert, Taizo Hirabayashi (Japan)
Television match official: Akihisa Aso (Japan)
Assessor: Bob Francis (New Zealand)