If the Wallabies are to end their Bledisloe Cup drought against the All Blacks, winning the opening clash next Saturday would obviously be a good start.
However despite often beginning the series on home soil, Australia's record in the first transtasman encounter of the year points to the Wallabies starting on the back foot in the series once again.
The Wallabies handed over the Bledisloe Cup in 2003 and haven't touched it since. Over the drought they've won the first Bledisloe Cup clash just three times but then gone on to fail to close out the series.
Going back to the introduction of the Tri-Nations in 1996, the Aussies have won the opening encounter of the season five times in 20 years, including one draw.
The All Blacks may look somewhat vulnerable following a series draw with the British and Irish Lions, however that result looks impressive compared to Australia's June results which included a defeat to Scotland two average wins over Italy and Fiji.
