Aisle be Back: Bledisloe Cup and NPC Week One

You could call it the Bledisloe, or you could call it the fourth test of the three-test Lions series.

Because there's a very odd vibe around the first Bled this weekend, which after all is simply a game of test footy.

Instead, it's seen by some as an existential moment for rugby union in Australia. The game they need to win or at least compete in honourably. Otherwise, would the last Rah Rah turn out the lights as they head home in the beamer.

That's probably a bit strong, but indicative of what happens when what you do becomes cloaked in pessimism and doom for months on end, starting with the Super Rugby hammerings, the culling farce, and a mediocre start to the test window for the Wallabies. The game has never, clearly, been at a lower ebb, and riven by a lack of leadership.

Poor Michael Cheika. I can see why he's putting them through boot camp, presumably to try and block out the chatter from outside. Impossible of course, but he's not going to die wondering whether he could have prepared the team better.

The All Blacks have their own different headspace to wrestle with. If they come out steaming against the Aussies on Saturday night, it won't be down to their respect for the Wallabies - no matter how much they will insist it is so.

Instead, it'll be about the last Lions test - the muffed chances, the lack of the killer punch, the death by accidental non-penalty. If teams that lose the last test of the winter head to the beach with a rock under their towel, then the All Blacks just got lucky. Summer's come early, and it's time to move the rock - if just a little.

I just read an Aussie piece which suggested the key was that the Wallabies must tackle, tackle, tackle. But wracking up a huge tackle count generally means you are losing or about to lose because it is more exhausting to defend than attack.

But a resolute defence obviously is needed, otherwise, you leak points. More significantly, it forces your opponents to try different ways to break you down other than ball in hand.

So let's just draw breath and enjoy the game on Saturday. If the Wallabies come to play, and well, then it could be a cracker. Let's hope they do, and it is.

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The axe in the All Blacks comes mercifully quick as a rule these days. We don't know the reasons (as of this morning) for Jerome Kaino's dropping from the match day 23, but it's always looked a stretch for the warrior to make the 2019 Cup. That doesn't mean he won't be there, but the odds are lengthening.

Certainly, the second-tier players need to be coming through and getting some serious miles on the clock at test level. If you wonder what the point is sometimes of the Rugby Championship ad nauseum, then this is one of the reasons why.

Squire, of course, needs to show himself to be what the All Blacks always require of their 6s. Mobile, intimidating, and with a motor that keeps running for 80 minutes.

And let's see how the pocket rocket goes at fullback - it's well overdue for Damian McKenzie to get a start in a test against serious opposition. You'd imagine the Wallabies will be trying to get a height mismatch going using Folau, but who hasn't thought of that.

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The Wellington Lions shouldn't have anyone to blame but themselves if they can't restore provincial pride this year.

New coach Chris Gibbes is a straight talker, and laid down some clear expectations for the squad. Like last year there's a reasonable spine of Hurricanes players and talented young blood, But that didn't work that well in 2016.

It is time, however, to say that remaining in the bottom half of the competition is not okay anymore.

The fascinating subtext is what that new Lions winger, Julian Savea, is going to do. Woe betides the side that he decides to run over like the Savea of old.

But if he fails to show anything more than his form from Super and test level, then you might start worrying those rumours of departures to the Chiefs might be true.

If anyone suggests he head to the Blues, though, you know that's a harbour bridge too far.

Lifelong All Blacks supporter Kev has followed the Hurricanes since they began. Last year his faith in them was rewarded when they won the title – they've missed out in 2017, but he'll be back!