The good news for the Wallabies is that the All Blacks are no longer the dominant force in world rugby.
In Joe Schmidt, Australia also have detailed and precious insight into New Zealand’s players after he helped coach them to last year’s Rugby World Cup final.
Schmidt also has experience in toppling the All Blacks, having done so twice in his wildly successful time with Ireland.
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The bad news for the Wallabies – smarting from Sunday’s (AEST) record 67-27 loss to Argentina – is that the All Blacks remain a quality outfit.
And they will be arguably hurting even more than Schmidt’s squad after back-to-back losses to South Africa meant the Rugby Championship will be leaving New Zealand for the first time since 2019.
All that hurt and focus will now be poured into retaining the precious Bledisloe Cup when the series opens in Sydney on September 21.
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The All Blacks are dejected after a try to Malcolm Marx of the Springboks. Getty
“New Zealand aren’t bad, they’re still phenomenal, but they’re just playing against an amazing team (South Africa),” former Wallabies halfback Nick Phipps said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.
Phipps was surprised to see the All Blacks opt for shots at goal in Cape Town on Sunday (AEST) instead of hunting five or seven points.
New Zealand failed to score a try in the 18-12 loss despite again shading much of the general play.
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“South Africa got two yellow cards and they kept opting for the points,” Phipps said.
“They weren’t even trying to take that numerical advantage and try and go to the line and they missed one of those kicks.
“When that happens, that’s a real deflating sort of thing. But they weren’t really putting that pressure on and going for the line and putting that sustained sort of pressure on their line.
“If anything, that is probably South Africa’s only weakness, sustained pressure on their line. That’s when they start to get a bit desperate, start to scramble a little bit more. So it’s interesting how they adapt to that when they come over to Australia.”
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson was a popular choice to replace Ian Foster after guiding the Crusaders to unprecedented Super Rugby success.
But he is already feeling the heat after dropping three games in the Rugby Championship.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson at Ellis Park. Getty
“Poor old Razor. He is one of the best coaches in the world and he’s copping it. But unfortunately I think we’re going to see the best of New Zealand to come,” Phipps said.
Ex-Wallabies back Morgan Turinui agreed but said it would be fascinating to see how Robertson dealt with the white hot pressure.
“Scott Robertson, so successful, such a great coach, such a smart footy mind,” Turinui said.
“But this is the All Blacks job and no matter what anyone says over there, it’s different, the pressure’s different, the expectations different, everyone has an opinion.
“Like his (Robertson’s) neighbour down the road will come and tell him who he should pick. There’s a pressure that goes to it.
“Whether you think they’re going to beat the Wallabies or not, there’ll be so much pressure and expectation on this team.”
Turinui expected Robertson to stick with Will Jordan at fullback and said the emergence of Chiefs stars Cortez Ratima and Wallace Sititi as Test quality was a huge positive.
But he though the Kiwi selectors would lean on as much experience as possible when they unveil their next lineup on September 19.
“Tried and true, tested footballers who’ve been there, done that, that’s got to be seducing them at the selection table,” Turinui said.
Former Wallabies loose forward Stephen Hoiles said the All Blacks were mostly giving out new caps by necessity after a raft of big names signed off at the World Cup.
“It’s quite normal, a year after a World Cup,” Hoiles said.
“(Josh) Canham was the 16th (new Wallabies cap this year), that’s insane. But that’s what happens under a new coach after a failed World Cup campaign. New Zealand, a lot of good players went overseas. They are making some changes.”