Bledisloe Cup - New Zealand V Australia

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Sat 08 Aug 2015

There won't be a more important match outside of the Rugby World Cup in a few weeks, than this weekend's clash, 8 August 2015, between the trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand and Australia at Sydney.

The Rugby Championship final will be between the All Blacks and the Wallabies, and possibly the Bledisloe Cup could be decided too at the same time. A win for the AB's will see both done and dusted for another year, 13 years in all for the latter. The challenger must win both Bledisloe Cup games, while the holder needs only to win the first. Even if the Wallabies win, they must come back across the Tasman to Eden Park the following week. It could be a dead rubber by then for the All Blacks.

There will of course be some brownie and psychological points to be scored just weeks out from the Rugby World Cup tournament in the United Kingdom.

The Rugby Championship hasn't the history or public support yet. The former Tri-Nations with Argentina thrown in, has been won by the All Blacks on most occasions any way. The Bledisloe Cup has been held by the All Blacks for 12 years so far since 2003. Both teams earned 9pts with their two wins against South Africa and Argentina, with the Wallabies holding a narrow points for and against advantage.

The ALL BLACKS train-on squad: 31 players will be sent to Sydney where the final 23 playing squad will be selected after this weeks training. Two new faces could make their way across the Tasman.

Hookers: Dane Coles, Hikawera Elliot, Keven Mealamu, Codie Taylor.

Props: Wyatt Crockett, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Owen Franks, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Tony Woodcock.

Locks: James Broadhurst, Brodie Retallick, Luke Romano, Jeremy Thrush, Sam Whitelock.

Loose forwards: Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Richie McCaw (capt), Liam Messam, Kieran Read, Matt Todd, Victor Vito.

Halfbacks: Tawera Kerr-Barlow, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith.

First five-eighths: Beauden Barrett, Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Lima Sopoaga.

Midfielders: Ryan Crotty, Malakai Fekitoa, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams.

Outside backs: Israel Dagg, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Patrick Osborne, Charles Piutau, Julian Savea, Ben Smith.

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!date 08/08/2015 -- 08/08/2015
%wnsydney