The Stats Don't Lie: Australia's 13-year capital drought

Australia last won in Wellington 2000, thanks to a last minute penalty from John Eales. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Opinion

Tracey Nelson looks at what history says about the All Blacks and Wallabies in Wellington, ahead of tomorrow's clash.

Wellington (Athletic Park) was the scene of the All Blacks' best result over Australia in 1996, when they won 43-6.

The last Bledisloe Cup test match played in the capital was in 2009 when the All Blacks won 33-6, despite Isaia Toeava being sinbinned 10 minutes before halftime.

Australia haven't won in Wellington since 2000, when John Eales kicked the winning penalty goal on fulltime to see the Wallabies sneak a 24-23 victory.

Last week the Wallabies missed 16 tackles, with their biggest offenders being Ben Alexander, Hugh McMeniman and Jess Mogg all with three misses each.

Of the 119 tackles the All Blacks made last week, just 30 of them had to be made in their own 22 area.

Will we see more kicking from Australia? Last week they only kicked from hand 15 times, with the majority of those kicks being defensive clearances. In contrast the All Blacks kicked 26 times, with an even spread of 13 kicks per half.

Ma'a Nonu has scored eight tries in 17 test matches against Australia and scored in the only Bledisloe Cup test he has played in Wellington (2009). Nonu's strike ability has seen him score a try every three test matches he has played for New Zealand.

Tony Woodcock will become the fourth All Black to play 100 test matches. He follows Richie McCaw (117 tests), Keven Mealamu (105) and Mils Muliaina (100).

Tom Taylor makes his test debut this weekend and becomes the 18th father-son duo (Warwick Taylor played 24 tests for New Zealand) to have played for the All Blacks.

It will be McCaw's 31st test against Australia, and that sets a new record for the most tests played by a player against one country. McCaw also becomes the fifth equal (with French lock Fabien Pelous) most capped international player. George Gregan is the current record holder with 139 caps.

Referee Jaco Peyper has officiated in just one previous All Blacks test match, and that was last year in La Plata against Argentina when the All Blacks won 54-15.