Wallabies banking on youth to tackle rugby's toughest test
Did you know it takes 42 cans of beer to fill the Bledisloe Cup?
Neither did Australian centre Brett Papworth until the Wallabies did the equivalent of landing a man on the moon by beating the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1986 to clinch the three-Test series.
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The Australians celebrated by draining the Cup of every one of those 42 DB Export Lagers as a toga party raged back at the team hotel.
"There were a lot of sore heads on the flight home the next day but it was worth the headache," Papworth said.
"You don't beat the All Blacks at home very often and you certainly don't beat them at Eden Park all that often.
"The fact we haven’t won there since that day is remarkable, but it shows you just how tough it is."
The hangovers have long lifted but still we hark back to that September day 35 years ago, clinging to the somewhat misguided belief that the drought has to end soon.
The Wallabies have made 20 journeys to Eden Park since that memorable day in September 1986 for zero return.
The fact the first two Tests of this year's Bledisloe Cup series have been slated for that unfriendly slice of turf in Auckland makes the Wallabies' task near impossible, if history is any guide.
Think of a place you hate visiting, where you're well out of your comfort zone, and go there twice in seven days.
But this Australian team is talking it up as something to savour after coming off an uplifting series win over France.
"It is a normal field believe it or not. We can’t wait. We have two cracks at it this time," skipper Michael Hooper said.
Wallabies banking on youth to end Eden Park hoodoo
Okay, we'll have to take his word on that.
On paper this first Test looks something of a mismatch.
Marika Koroibete, Pone Fa’amausili and Isi Naisarani weren't considered for selection after deciding to sneak a few roadies back to their rooms.
Others have been left on the bench as coach Dave Rennie opts for a starting XV big on youth and light on experience.
The backline is full of talent but, save for fullback Tom Banks, every player is in single figures when it comes to Test appearances.
Three members of the forward pack – Darcy Swain, Rob Valetini and Harry Wilson – are also yet to crack 10 caps.
Rennie is literally putting the green into the green and gold.
The All Blacks can't even find a spot in their run-on side for Beauden Barrett or his two brothers.
Let that sink in for a moment.
Rennie is desperate to end the "two steps forward, three steps back" pattern of recent Australian teams, and he's showed a real gambler's instinct with some of his selections.
"We've got to give performances to make believers of (fans) and there's no better place than Eden Park," he said.
Beat the All Blacks in Auckland and Wallabies fans will make the 42-can mark look like a quiet Sunday session.
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