Australia’s Super Rugby teams had a woeful weekend but a sliver of hope has come for the Wallabies, from World Cup winning All Black Cory Jane.
After their first 0-5 weekend ever and first winless Australian weekend since 2005, Australian teams have clinched just three wins from 24 matches against New Zealanders this season, with the Brumbies (vs Hurricanes), Reds (vs Highlanders) and Waratahs (vs Chiefs) the only winners.
Jane, who has 53 All Blacks caps, says the competition disparity will mean little come Test time.
“It doesn’t man anything when it comes to Test match, just at the moment coming New Zealand team’s way,” he said.
While the records are hard to argue with, Jane said it was all pretty cyclical and fans shouldn’t expect the same kind of dominance when Bledisloe time rolls around.
“Different team, different ball game. Whether it’s South Africa, Australia or New Zealand team dominating or playing poor once they put that Test jersey on,” he said.
“When you move on from Super Rugby to Test match (rugby) it's completely different.”
Australia hasn’t won a Bledisloe since 2002 and will be up against it this season, with two matches in New Zealand as part of the three-match series.
Hurricanes coach Chris Boyd, who said the Brumbies are the frontrunners to be Australia’s finals representative, believes balance is the key to the Kiwis’ supremacy.
“I think that New Zealand conference is healthy at the moment,” he said.
“All five teams have got good rosters and so we have a good mixture of experience in growing players and been able to inject a lot of youth into those franchises. All good balanced sides in my opinion.
“I think the Brumbies have been very drive forward orientated.
“All kiwi sides probably play a little bit more so I don’t know.”
