ABs and Wallabies: This is the real deal

Test preview: "Who said it was a dead rubber?" Robbie Deans demanded as one of a large media contingent dared question the validity of Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup clash.

The Wallabies coach's retort summed up the mood of both the Australian and All Blacks camps.

It was a valid question given that the massive piece of silverware can't be taken from the All Blacks.

But in the minds of Deans, Graham Henry, Wayne Smith and players from both sides this match is very much alive.

It's a fair dinkum test despite the carnival atmosphere that has finally started to envelope Hong Kong's rugby community and a few curious onlookers as the week has unfolded.

Yes it's a chance to spread the rugby gospel into the lucrative Asian market and both New Zealand and Australia are desperate for fresh revenue streams.

But get one things straight - this is no exhibition match. There are test ranking points at stake that will count towards seedings and pool positions at the next World Cup with the draw to be revealed in London in early December.

"There will be passion, there will be intensity," Deans promised.

"There is no love lost between these nations and when you pull your nation's jersey on you don't take it lightly. Regardless of whether the silverware is up for grabs or not, it's test rugby.

"These blokes respect themselves and they are stimulated to play in a contest like this in a different venue."

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith echoed Deans' sentiments when he declared: "There's a festival atmosphere but we can't get caught up in that. It's a major test match, it's a big stage and we want to win it."

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw had his game-face on when he emphasised the importance of the occasion.

"Every test against the Wallabies is deadly serious. We haven't been together for a while and the guys are excited about playing test rugby again. You put that together and it's the same as any other test.

"We are lucky that the Bledisloe is locked up. But obviously you'd feel like you earned it more if it was 3-1 as opposed to 2-all.

"The Wallabies will be the same as us. They will be wanting to go up north from here and remind them about southern hemisphere rugby. They want a good test to get them on their way."

Getting a handle on how the teams enter the sold-out venue is another matter.

The Wallabies come in after being together on and off for five weeks. They got into Hong Kong a day earlier than the All Blacks and have looked relaxed.

Henry's actual touring squad have had just five days to prepare although some of the players were involved in the wider training squad the previous week in Auckland.

The All Blacks are banking on the match fitness garnered from easing their players back into the Air New Zealand Cup following their Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup clinching win in Brisbane way back on September 13.

So we wait to see which approach proves more successful.

Having watched both sides train this week I'd suggest the All Blacks have looked the sharper. There has been a real intensity to their work and a crispness to their execution that bodes well for Saturday night.

Yes, they will suffer through the absence of Mils Muliaina but the loss of the All Blacks fullback should be weighed up against the Wallabies having their prime wing Lote Tuqiri sidelined along with a group of key forwards that has left the Aussie pack looking vulnerable and their bench reduced to being virtually a last-man standing scenario.

The All Blacks forwards look good enough to win the battle up front and from there it's a matter of how the new-look combinations at 10 and 12 and the back three shape up.

The All Blacks have the ability - and luxury - to make adjustments given the depth of their bench.

Carter can return to first five if it turns to custard and Ma'a Nonu awaits to be injected.

The 2008 Bledisloe series has been a fascinating one and a real rollercoaster of emotions.

Don't forget it opened with the Wallabies flogging the All Blacks 34-19 in Sydney. The All Blacks handed out a similar lesson a week later in Auckland with a commanding 39-10 win at Eden Park.

The teams had to wait six long weeks for the rematch in Brisbane and turned on a thriller that saw the All Blacks edge the Wallabies 28-24 to retain the giant piece of silverware they treasure second only to the long-lost World Cup.

Now Asia gets to witness just what it means to both sides.

NEW ZEALAND: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Jimmy Cowan; 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Neemia Tialata, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Tony Woodcock. Reserves: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Greg Somerville, 18 Anthony Boric, 19 Adam Thomson, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Ma'a Nonu, 22 Cory Jane.

AUSTRALIA: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes,13 Ryan Cross, 12 Stirling Mortlock (c), 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Richard Brown, 7 George Smith, 6 Dean Mumm, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Mark Chisholm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson. Reserves: 16 Adam Freier 17 Matt Dunning 18 Phil Waugh 19 David Pocock 20 Sam Cordingley 21 Berrick Barnes 22 Lachie Turner.

Is this going to be a serious test or exhibition fluff? Are the coaches talking it up? Do you think staging a test in Hong Kong has merit? Who is going to win? Have your say below.

- © Fairfax NZ News