World Cup edge goes on the line

By JOHN DRAKE

Without doubt, this is the test of the year, and not just because the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations are at stake.

While a win tonight in front of the huge crowd who will pack Stadium Australia - renamed Telstra Stadium - would ensure the All Blacks pick up the silverware, there is much more to play for.

Psychologically, victory means a lot in the big picture, next year's World Cup.

Despite the results so far, I'm sure John Mitchell and his players will be very wary of this Australian team.

They were not too downhearted after the loss in Christchurch. There was almost a "see you in Sydney" attitude after that game.

It is very important that the All Blacks win the Bledisloe Cup 2-0 and then repeat that next year.

It is also a crucial test for Mitchell, in some ways the first real test to his unbeaten record.

We have to be aware of the way Australia seem capable of scoring points in a hurry at times. We can expect a real challenge in the first 15 minutes.

But that psychological edge is so important. It is a game we must win. A loss would allow the Wallabies to take their cockiness right through to the World Cup.

If we beat them they will start to wonder, and I'm sure they do not have the depth of the All Blacks.

As a long-time Tana Umaga supporter I'm pleased to see him back in the starting line-up.

Australia have gone out of their way to bulk up their backline. Because of that, the All Blacks need the physical presence Umaga brings.

But I'm not so sure where Jonah Lomu's future now lies after being dropped for this test, but included in the squad who will go on to play the Springboks in South Africa.

From the outside, we don't know how he has been training.

What we do know, however, is that the Australians have long had plenty of fear and respect for him.

They have recruited two big wingers from league just, I suspect, because of the Lomu factor. It is disappointing we will not see that tonight.

Sadly, for one reason or another, Lomu seems low on confidence. But no one doubts that he is, and will continue to be, very professional in all he does.

But who knows how long he will now have to wait for that chance?

And the key to tonight's game?

Boring really. It will come down to how well we do up front.

We have said the Australian front row are not up to it, but they still come up with the results.

But this is one time I genuinely feel we might have an edge in the tight.

In turn, this could mean it comes down to the battle involving open-side flankers Richard McCaw and George Smith, which will open up the halfback confrontation between Justin Marshall and George Gregan.

I have been impressed with the way Marshall is running again. He will never be the greatest passer of the ball, but in all else he does he appears to have got his old zest back.

It promises to be an intriguing contest.

The Australians will be keen to slow the tempo in an effort to frustrate the All Blacks.

But I'm confident they are equal to that and any other challenge the Wallabies might throw at them.