BBC SPORT | Rugby Union | International | Coaches bid for underdog status

His successor John Hart maintained the tradition, regarding the ploy as a vital tactic in the Test match build-up.

This time it was Jones, who won the Tri-Nations at the first attempt last year - ensuring it remained Australian property alongside the World Cup and Bledisloe Cup - who staked an early claim.

The Canterbury Crusaders had just reclaimed the Super 12 crown from Jones' former ACT Brumbies team in May when he argued Australia would have a devil of a job toppling the All Blacks as a result.

This despite the only major difference between last year's winning side and this year's model being the absence of retired captain John Eales.

His New Zealand counterpart John Mitchell, following the well-trodden path of his predecessors, then claimed his side couldn't possibly be favoured given Australia's record of seven wins in the countries' last nine Tests.

New Zealand coach John Mitchell
Mitchell points to New Zealand's poor recent record

Jones has responded by insisting the Wallabies' two recent match-winning displays against Six Nations champions France will not be good enough against New Zealand.

"At the moment, we are capable of playing about 20 minutes of good rugby, but to win in the Tri-Nations you have to play upwards of 45 minutes of consistent rugby," he said.

"If you can play 50 minutes of good rugby, then you'll win most matches, but it's very rare that anyone can play well for 80 minutes."

Jones will confirm his side to face the All Blacks on Wednesday, with injury concerns over Matt Burke, Jeremy Paul, Toutai Kefu and Ben Darwin all having eased.

Kefu returns for Wallabies

Kiwis retain line-up

New Zealand name their team on Tuesday, with injury worries over centre Tana Umaga, full-back Leon MacDonald and number eight Taine Randell.

The absence of any of those players from either line-up could be seized upon by either coach to claim a further call on the prized underdog status.

Home advantage ?

The venue might also be considered an advantage for the home side, with up to a dozen of the likely All Blacks line-up playing their Super 12 rugby at the Jade Stadium.

Then again, Australia won in Christchurch on their last visit in 1998, and were also victorious on New Zealand's South Island last year, winning in Dunedin for the first time.

Whatever the outcome of the pre-match sparring this week, both teams will struggle to shake off the favourites tag when South Africa come calling over the following fortnight.

But then they could always argue the Springboks are an unknown quantity, with a new coach, a raft of new players...


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