An inspirational captain facing the haka for the last time; the all-conquering world champions on a quest to grab a record winning streak – Bledisloe III is anything but a dead rubber.
Motivation is everywhere for the Wallabies and All Blacks in Saturday night’s return to Suncorp Stadium, where Australia claimed a Tri-Nations sealing win over the Kiwis 14 months ago.
Australia are looking to regain trans-Tasman pride, end a long New Zealand unbeaten run and give skipper Nathan Sharpe a fitting farewell on home soil.
An ever-growing injury toll and unconvincing form all year has Sharpe’s men 13-point underdogs but the 111-Test veteran won’t hear of playing for a respectable loss against an All Blacks outfit at the peak of its powers and warned his team was well primed for an upset.
“Every team is beatable,” Sharpe said. “We have to play the best game we have played this year – and by a way as well.
“It’s close to the best preparation for a long time that I can remember … if we can translate that into a performance on the field tomorrow night, we’ll give ourselves a shot.
“We like a challenge and it fits the Australian psyche a little bit. When the backs are to the wall the guys like to show their character.”
New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup it’s held since 2003 with 27-19 and 22-0 wins in August.
After the second Test loss at Eden Park Wallabies coach Robbie Deans said it was hard for any team to compete with an All Black side in that form.
Since then they have registered their 15th and 16th straight wins smashing Argentina 54-15 and South Africa 32-16 while on the road.
“They’ve taken their game to another level, there’s no doubt about that, as evidenced by the numbers,” said Deans, who has demanded his players be more proactive. “We’ve got to be better … and that’s what we’re chasing.
“It wasn’t for want of trying (in Auckland) but they were on top of every initiative.
“At some point, to do well against them, you’ve got to take the initiative. You can’t wait for it to land in your lap.”
Former All Black Deans knows New Zealand will also be “desperate”.
The Wallabies denied them a record-equalling 17th Test win in Hong Kong in 2010 and they won’t want to suffer the same fate.
They also want to celebrate popular hooker Keven Mealamu’s 100th Test in style.
Fourteen All Blacks from the 25-20 Tri-Nations deciding loss – their last defeat – remain in the highly-experienced New Zealand side.
In contrast, four of Australia’s backline are starting their first trans-Tasman Test and only Sharpe has ever sipped from the Bledisloe Cup – way back in 2002.
The 34-year-old second-rower will retire after the Spring Tour but says he’ll sorely miss fronting up against the haka.
“It’s one of those things you’re very privileged to experience,” said Sharpe, who holds a 6-20 record in Bledisloe Tests. “At the same time the first one is a lot (more intimidating) than your last one.
“In recent years I watched Ali Williams a lot – and got a bit of enjoyment out it.”
