ZCZC
BSP-09
RUGBYU-RC-2018-NZL-AUS-EDENPARK
It’s all black magic at Eden Park for Australia
AUCKLAND, Aug 24, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – It’s not just the All Blacks that
Australia face on Saturday but also the Eden Park curse which has denied
visiting teams a taste of victory for 24 years.
The arena, a suburban rugby venue since 1913, has been the burial ground
for many a team with the All Blacks on a 41-match unbeaten streak since being
beaten there by France in 1994.
Overall, they have only lost 10 of 84 Tests at the field they call their
“home ground”.
Australia, who haven’t won anywhere in New Zealand since a win in Dunedin
in 2001, last tasted victory at Eden Park 32 years ago with a 22-9 result in
1986.
They have lost 17 Tests to New Zealand in Auckland since then.
Overall, the All Blacks and Wallabies have played 162 times, with New
Zealand winning 112 and drawing seven for a 69.14 percent win rate.
In New Zealand, the win rate is up to 78.05 percent, with the All Blacks
coming out on top in 64 of 82 Tests and drawing one.
At Eden Park, the All Blacks are even more dominant over the Wallabies with
an 85.19 percent success rate, having won 23 of 27 Tests.
But the Wallabies are adamant their thoughts are totally on winning the
Bledisloe Cup and the All Blacks’ impressive record in Auckland has had no
bearing on their preparation.
“No win this week, no Bledisloe Cup,” coach Michael Cheika said.
“Players and coaches, we’ve all thought about how we can get the best
possible outcome this week, we’ve prepared that way and we’ll be ready when
the whistle goes.”
The All Blacks also rate winning the Bledisloe as more important than
maintaining their unbeaten run at Eden Park, although they cannot do one
without the other.
“This is Bledisloe 2 and is a chance for us to get both hands on the cup
and we love playing here,” captain Kieran Read said.
“It’s our home in New Zealand and our home fans and we just enjoy it.”
BSS/AFP/MR/ 1224 hrs