All Blacks: 'Garden of Eden' a graveyard for opponents

Eden Park will resound with the voices of 32,000 fans on Saturday night. Photo / Kenny Rodger

It is half built, yet still a fortress - the All Blacks' own "house of pain".

Carisbrook used to be the ground where New Zealand's rugby opponents feared to tread, but in recent seasons Eden Park is undeniably the hardest place to beat the home team - as tomorrow's visitors Australia are well aware.

The All Blacks might have dropped their last two tests in Dunedin but Auckland's home of rugby has proved near impregnable for the last 15 years.

New Zealand will be seeking their 20th consecutive test victory in the Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup opener and eighth in a row over their trans-Tasman rivals.

The All Blacks have not been bettered at what will be the focal point of the 2011 World Cup since France triumphed on July 3 1994, a contest memorable for Jean-Luc Sadourny's `try from the end of the world' in the dying minutes.

A month later, the All Blacks had Shane Howarth's trusty boot to thank for avoiding back-to-back losses, the Auckland fullback's six penalties salvaged an 18-18 draw against a Springbok side that outscored their hosts two tries to nil.

Since that narrow escape the All Blacks have rarely been troubled. The Wallabies are in good company with England, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, France, Canada and the British and Irish Lions all unable to snap the winning streak.

The All Blacks record at Eden Park is even more impressive, the French and South African aberrations are the only blemishes from their last 32 tests on the rebuilt arena.

Down the years the Wallabies have won four times at the ground, but not since 1986 when Andrew Slack's team hoisted the Bledisloe Cup by taking a decisive third test 22-9.

Since then they have crossed the Tasman nine times to play at Eden Park and returned home empty handed.

Robbie Deans' team arrived last August with great expectations after thrashing the All Blacks the week before in Sydney, but, with Richie McCaw back from an ankle injury, New Zealand prevailed 39-10.

A dozen of the Wallaby team that experienced that dramatic reversal in fortunes run on again tomorrow night, with hooker Stephen Moore vowing history was not weighing on their minds.

"It's a proud record for them more than an obstacle for us," he said.

"Last year we had a new coaching set up and we're a long, long way down the track than we were this time last year. With that 12 months of having Robbie on board, it's brought a lot out of the players and you'll see a much better performance."

Second five-eighth Berrick Barnes could not specify a reason why the All Blacks seem to always rise to the occasion on Eden Park.

"I don't know," he mused.

"It's a field with two goal posts and a hundred metres between them."

Although the Wallabies have experienced plenty of angst at the venue, there are fond, although fading memories as well.

September 9, 1978 remains a seminal day in Australian rugby history, the afternoon a 26-year-old superannuation consultant from Queensland named Greg Cornelsen scored an unprecedented four tries against the All Blacks in the third and final test.

Australia prevented a Bledisloe Cup whitewash with a 30-16 victory.

It was the highest points tally ever conceded by the All Blacks at that time and the No 8 quartet was temporarily the most scored by an individual against New Zealand, eclipsing Okey Geffin's 15 points for the Springboks during the first test of the 1949 series.

EDEN PARK - WHAT THE RECORD BOOKS SAY

A. Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup internationals, Australia at Eden Park:

2008: lost 10-39
2007: lost 12-26
2006: lost 27-34
2005: lost 24-34
2003: lost 17-21
1999: lost 15-34
1995: lost 16-28
1991: lost 3-6
1990: lost 17-27
1989: lost 12-24
1986: won 22-9

B. New Zealand at Eden Park, all Tests, since 1994:

1994: lost to France 20-23
1994: drew with South Africa 18-18
1995: beat Canada 73-7
1995: beat Australia 28-16
1996: beat Scotland 36-12 1997: beat South Africa 55-35
1998: beat England 40-10
1999: beat Australia 34-15
2000: beat Scotland 48-14
2001: beat South Africa 26-15
2002: beat Ireland 40-8
2003: beat Australia 21-17
2004: beat England 36-12
2005: beat British and Irish Lions 38-19
2005: beat Australia 34-24
2006: beat Ireland 27-17
2006: beat Australia 34-27
2007: beat France 42-11
2007: beat Australia 26-12
2008: beat England 37-20
2008: beat Australia 39-10

- NZPA