Andrew Slack: Few rugby Einsteins to be found in either side

Without wanting to be disrespectful, the evidence of recent weeks suggests tonight's Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney could be labelled as Dumb v Dumber.

Let's face it. Members of Mensa who've been watching the performances of New Zealand and Australia in the Tri-Nations thus far will not be feeling threatened.

Despite its complex laws, rugby is basically a simple game. It is also very physical and it can occasionally be brutal, but to be played well it requires a certain brand of intelligence. Coaches Graham Henry and Robbie Deans, who both have backgrounds in education, know all too well that intelligent is not the first word you'd use to describe the way their teams have played in 2009.

The Springboks, by a considerable margin, have been the dux of the class in the first term this year, and although they might not be the most popular kid in the playground, mum and dad will be very happy with their report card. 100 per cent is hard to beat.

The All Blacks have played like they want to be everyone's friend but in so doing, neglected to do the hard graft that results in good marks. The Wallabies have tried hard but frozen under the heat of the tough questions.

Assuming that both sides have been cramming over the past fortnight, tonight's examination will be passed by whoever doesn't try to be too smart by half, and at the same time stays calm when the answer doesn't immediately come to mind.

In such circumstances, the advantage of playing in familiar surroundings is even more beneficial than normal. The Wallabies are ever so grateful this must-win match is on home soil and they are also well aware the All Blacks are under as much pressure to perform as any New Zealand team in recent memory. (Barring, of course, during World Cup tournaments, but let's not go there.) They should be thrilled by the return of Dan Carter from his enforced holiday. He is probably the most intelligent footballer on either side, and his influence should mean a smarter All Black performance.

It's always a bit iffy to try to judge from this side of the water, but we figure it's fair to assume that in terms of your national treasures, Henry is not currently quite up there with the likes of Sir Edmund Hillary or the Finn brothers. Even with Carter back, Henry and his players are under the intense heat of some tough questioning and if they don't come up with the right answers, some might have a permanent fail mark by their name.

Deans and his class are not quite under the same level of scrutiny, but for the first time since the former All Black fullback took charge of Australia's national team 20 months ago, questions are being asked about why the results haven't been what were expected.

The main problem has been that, in the eyes of the referees, the Wallabies are cheats. We all know cheats never prosper, so until they can minimise the penalty count they are going to fail more often than not. No matter how good your marks are in every other subject, if you fail discipline it is impossible to graduate.

Execution is the other key subject and it is surprising Deans has stuck with halfback Luke Burgess. He is a talented and committed footballer but for too many games he has not come up with the right answers at the important times. When under pressure, his passing has let him down and if you are an international halfback, nothing shy of 9 out of 10 is acceptable. Burgess' 6 does not really cut it.

Maybe the fact the halfback is back on home turf is what convinced Deans to persevere.

If Burgess can hit his target when he needs to, it will decrease the chance of the Wallabies panicking and thereby cheating becomes a less necessary avenue to take.

Scrums, lineouts, defence, kicking - all will play their part for tonight's victor. But without intelligence and discipline, the only result will be failure.