KEY POINTS:
Two of test rugby's most fiercely contested trophies go on the line at Eden Park tomorrow but the All Blacks and Wallabies will duke it out for more than that.
Seven weeks out from the rugby World Cup a third, less-tangible but ultimately vital prize is up for grabs.
About the time either Richie McCaw or rival skipper Stirling Mortlock hoists the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations Trophy tomorrow night, his teammates will already be soaking up the warm sensation of World Cup momentum and confidence.
More importantly, the losing players and coaches will know they've invited two months of introspection and uncertainty into their lives.
Of the two teams, the All Blacks have the most to lose.
Australia have already performed above their station in the Tri-Nations, leaving well behind the memories of a dicey Super 14 season.
However, the All Blacks haven't gone close to coach Graham Henry's stated goal of quickly reaching the standards set on last November's tour to Europe.
Patchy returns from all six tests this year have loosened their firm grip on World Cup favouritism and a loss tomorrow would leave more than just gaps in the trophy cabinet.
"I'm conscious this is a big game in a big competition and it stands alone from happens in the future... but it's a good measuring stick for the future as well," Henry said.
"It's a good fixture to have at this point in time.
"If you win it, that's good. If you lose it, you've got to do some analysing before you go to France.
"It's the right time in the calendar for both teams to analyse where they're at."
Henry's low-key assessment today belied the possible damage if the All Blacks are made to pay for another error-ridden display.
They admit they're not at their best now, but never planned to be. This week is merely a "mini peak" in their season, with the best scheduled for the World Cup.
There has been a sharp focus on improving New Zealand's chinks. Technical aspects such as running from depth and taking the right attacking options has been to the forefront.
Issues of more public interest, such as Sunday's World Cup squad naming and the final home test for up to six departing veterans, have been pushed to the periphery.
The All Blacks have also not been drawn into debate on the creaking Australian scrum or the breakdown boundaries constantly pushed by McCaw.
Like the Wallabies, the All Blacks say they are happy to abide by referee Nigel Owens, lumping a truckload of pressure on the inexperienced Welsh whistler.
An Australian win will end some remarkable trends of recent years.
The All Blacks have won their last 25 tests at home, going back more than four years, while their last loss at Eden Park was 18 tests ago, in 1994.
Meanwhile, Australia haven't won any Tri-Nations fixture away from home since 2001, when they ended what had been a bleak record at Carisbrook.
Henry agreed the respective records were a boost.
"People always talk about home advantage, it's a reality," he said.
"I guess you feel more comfortable in your home environment."
Australia have enough experience to handle the pressure, particularly in the halves where George Gregan plays his 27th and final Bledisloe Cup test and fellow-centurion Stephen Larkham gets set to ignite the backline as he did in the 20-15 win at Melbourne last month.
Mortlock at centre was a key recipient of Larkham's precise passing, chopping through New Zealand's midfield defence several times.
With Luke McAlister restored in one spot at his preferred second five-eighth and Blues teammate Isaia Toeava back at centre, Mortlock today predicted those same gaps won't exist.
"We'll have to work pretty hard to get inroads into their backline," he insisted.
McCaw also was in praise of his opposition, noting they had moved within sight of ending New Zealand's reign as Cup holders, which began with a 21-17 win at Eden Park in 2003.
It was followed by a stirring haka in the dressing room.
"There had been a fair bit of heartbreak before that," McCaw said.
"It's not an easy thing to win, the Bledisloe, so there was a real sense of achievement and pride that we'd done that.
"It's a bloody tough trophy to win back and at the moment there's a hand from each on the trophy so we have to do it right tomorrow."
- NZPA
