"If it's the hope that kills you then Wallabies fans have been dying a slow death for 39 years at Eden Park, the venue for this Saturday's first Test of the Bledisloe Cup. The Auckland venue is the All Blacks' fortress. They have not lost there since 1994 and are unbeaten across 51 Tests (49 wins, two draws). No Australian team has won at Eden Park since the 1986 side led by Andrew Slack and coached by Alan Jones."
"Changes aplenty for Joe Schmidt as Australia's preparations have been hit by injuries. There's a new lock pairing, the bullocking Rob Valentini is missing, there's yet another fresh partnership in the halves, and the second-choice fullback is crocked. Add to that the continued absence of the totemic Will Skelton and you have a Wallabies line-up some way below full potential."
"Fifteen years after his 2010 debut against England, 36-year-old loosehead prop James Slipper becomes the third player to reach the 150-cap milestone following locks Alun Wyn Jones of Wales and New Zealand's Sam Whitelock. 1 James Slipper, 2 Billy Pollard, 3 Taniela Tupou, 4 Nick Frost, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 9 Tate McDermott, 10 James O'Connor, 11 Corey Toole, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso S"
Eden Park remains the All Blacks' fortress, unbeaten there since 1994 across 51 Tests (49 wins, two draws). No Australian team has won at Eden Park since 1986. The Wallabies sit seventh in world rankings and have lost 11 of their past 18 Tests. Australian preparations have been hit by injuries, producing a new lock pairing, the absence of Rob Valentini, another fresh halves partnership, and an injured second-choice fullback. The continued absence of Will Skelton further weakens the side. James Slipper reached 150 caps, becoming the third player after Alun Wyn Jones and Sam Whitelock.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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