The All Blacks are seeking to claim back to back wins for the first time this season in Thursday night's Bledisloe Cup opener in Melbourne, while Australia are desperate to end nearly two decades of New Zealand dominance.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz
With just two Bledisloe tests this season, the All Blacks need just one win to lock away the trophy for a 20th straight year.
The All Blacks, coming off a resounding win over the Pumas, are favourites to beat the Wallabies, who're fresh off a loss to the Springboks.
However, predicting this year's Rugby Championship results has been tough, with each team having two wins and two defeats.
The Wallabies forwards coach Dan McKellar believes the team that wins two consecutive tests will win the tournament.
"If you want to win a Bledisloe Cup or a Rugby Championship, someone's going to have go back-to-back over the next couple of weeks."
The All Blacks top the standings with 10 points, one ahead of South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
A bonus point win in Melbourne would go a long way to helping coach Ian Foster and the All Blacks retain the title.
"For the Wallabies, it's a massive test as they have to win it to have a chance for the Bledisloe and for us, there's a Rugby Championship that's important to us, and also the chance to win the Bledisloe trophy," Foster said.
"It's a big game in the Rugby Championship - everyone's on the same starting line with two rounds to go so it's a big weekend to make a bit of a statement."
Hoskins Sotutu hasn't played a test this year. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Also keen to make a statement will be No.8 Hoskins Sotutu in his first test since last November.
The 24-year-old replaces star loosie Ardie Savea, who has stayed in New Zealand for the birth of his child.
"His preparation is quite second-to-none," Hoskins said of Savea.
"For him being able to perform really consistently every week is something I find pretty amazing.
"Obviously with Ardie not being here it's pretty big shoes to fill but I've just got to do what I do. Don't try to over-complicate it and be me."
Sotutu is part of a re-jigged loose forward trio alongside captain Sam Cane and Scott Barrett, whose switch to the side of the scrum allows Brodie Retallick to return at lock for his first start since fracturing his cheek during the series defeat to Ireland.
The 90-test veteran is adamant New Zealand's 19 year winning streak hasn't robbed the Bledisloe of its importance.
"When I first came into the team, the players like Richie (McCaw), Dan (Carter) and Keven Mealamu, those guys kind of instilled how much it means to the team and showed us what it meant and the history.
"And I guess as senior players, we're passing that onto the newer guys."
Wallabies fans new and old no doubt yearn for the days when they won five straight Bledisloe Cups from 1998 to 2002 and the hosts must triumph in the Victorian capital tonight to have any chance of winning it back.
Coach Dave Rennie is confident they can upset the All Blacks, if they play to their potential.
"I think everything that has happened prior to this counts for little, it's going to be about our ability to perform at our best and we need to be at our best to have a chance against the All Blacks.
"We are confident we can knock over anyone, but we have to play at our best and force the All Blacks to be below their best."
Rennie's side has been weakened by injury, with Bernard Foley recalled at first-five for his first test since the 2019 World Cup.
The 33-year-old, who has won just two of the 15 tests he's played against New Zealand, is grateful to get another chance.
"I think you definitely look at the games and we had some great battles, had a couple of great wins and tight losses that really stung.
"You always wished you can get one more crack, one more taste."
The Wallabies haven't tasted Bledisloe Cup glory for almost 20 years and while the build-up to Thursday night's test has barely earned a mention in AFL mad Melbourne, an Australian victory over the All Blacks should make the news.
