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SYDNEY - A World Cup year hiccup against the Wallabies has barely altered the microscopic odds on the All Blacks winning rugby's biggest prize in October.
The Wallabies' 20-15 win over the All Blacks at the Melbourne Cricket Ground gave the home side a massive confidence boost and showed the rugby world their opponents weren't invincible -- but try telling betting agencies that.
New South Wales' TAB Sportsbet hardly pushed the panic button, shifting the All Blacks from a skinny $1.45 to $1.50 to win October's World Cup final.
For the Tri-Nations, the All Blacks were $1.25 to retain their title, with the Wallabies at $4.25 and the second-string Springboks rated no-hopers at $15.
The All Blacks returned home yesterday to rest weary legs while hoping their Tri-Nations rivals bash each other to oblivion at Telstra Stadium here on Saturday night before the Springboks hit Christchurch next week.
Saturday night's test at the MCG and the previous week's in Durban, won 26-21 by the All Blacks, followed very similar patterns.
The team coming off the torrid match the previous week started strongly, looked to have the match at their mercy by halftime but tired badly in the final 20 minutes as their opponents rattled off two quick tries to seal the win.
"That's what we're hoping the trend is," assistant coach Wayne Smith said.
"We've had an away win and we've got a bonus point away from home. We're in the driving seat. We're more concerned about improving our performance."
The lineout, handling errors and some defensive blunders will be looked at, along with the backline attack as the All Blacks failed to score a point in the final 54 minutes.
Pre-match drizzle contributed to errors from both sides but the coaches refused to lay blame.
"We prepared really well, we travelled really well and there were no excuses," Smith said.
"On the day we got beaten by a team that played bloody well. We've learned from those things before."
In the last two World Cup years the All Blacks lost just one match before the tournament, both times to the eventual champions.
In 1999 the Wallabies registered a record winning margin against the All Blacks, 28-7 in Sydney, before they won their second World Cup title after the All Blacks stumbled to France in the semifinals.
Four years ago England outmuscled the All Blacks 15-13 in their season opener in Wellington, the All Blacks then went on an 11-match winning streak before the Wallabies stunned them 22-10 in the Sydney semifinal.
The scrum remains the All Blacks main weapon and was demolishing the Wallabies' in the second half before tighthead prop Carl Hayman was sin-binned by South African referee Marius Jonker for a professional foul in the 62nd minute.
Fullback Mils Muliaina was adamant that was the difference.
"It was quite surprising and I couldn't see (Jonker) had given out any warning he was going to do that. It's a massive blow, we were down 14 men and they scored," Muliaina said.
"He's a big part of our team, a leader and there was definitely a big gap left behind."
The debate over who will play centre continues, with injury and form ensuring the All Blacks are leaving it late to find a settled midfield back combination.
Late replacement Luke McAlister and Aaron Mauger both missed key tackles against an in-form Stirling Mortlock on Saturday, while Isaia Toeava (shoulder) is expected to be available for selection.
Conrad Smith (hamstring) played 60 minutes for his Wellington Old Boys-University club but needs more game time, while the reliable Muliaina will remain at fullback for now as Leon MacDonald recovers from his groin muscle tear.
- NZPA
