Test rugby is not immune to the level of boredom that seems to reign in society, as everything from the pandemic to the plethora of entertainment options to the general horrendousness of social media leads to the feeling that there is nothing left to really get excited about. become.
Too much rugby, some say. The game has become too predictable, according to others. What is the point of matches between World Cups anyway?
Even the week of testing in Dunedin, once labeled “Rugby City”, isn’t what it used to be.
The days of Tent City, All Blacks-crazed businesses and a week of electric build-up are long gone. Ireland didn’t arrive until Wednesday night – visiting teams once spent the whole week in Dunedin – and the All Blacks have maintained a very strict schedule that did not include public practice.
Despite all that, don’t try to tell me that the next few days won’t be very fun.
Touring fans will flock to sample the hospitality of this city, before some 30,000 people cram into New Zealand’s best stadium to watch a heavyweight fight between two rugby powers.
Remember, this is still a relatively rare opportunity to have international rugby on our doorstep, especially with the ever-popular men in green.
This is only the 14th Test between the All Blacks and Ireland in New Zealand, and only the third in Dunedin.
The All Blacks’ profit margins in their two previous tests against the Irish in Dunedin? Three points and nine points.
It now resembles rugby in a parallel dimension, but Ireland had played against teams like South Canterbury and Poverty Bay in 1992 before taking a shocking 12-0 lead at Carisbrook, only for the All Blacks to regroup and take 24-21 to win.
Ten years later, conditions were relentlessly freezing as the All Blacks took home a 15-6 win.
What chance tomorrow night, the eighth All Blacks test played at Forsyth Barr Stadium, will be an arm wrestling on that scale?
And what is the real meaning of this test?
There is, of course, some pressure for the Irish to recover from the 42-19 loss in the first Test at Eden Park and recapture some of that oomph that has sparked fear in the hearts of All Blacks fans in recent times.
They are valuable, these tourists, full of fervor and power, and it would not be disloyal to express any hope that they will be on full blast tonight and the All Blacks fighting an all-powerful battle.
And the home team?
Please more of the same.
It’s going to be over the top, but we have a beautiful stadium with a roof and a lightning fast surface, and southern fans would be very happy to see some dazzling.
There are still some questions floating about the All Blacks, especially around rosters in some positions just a year or so until the World Cup.
But they can be pushed aside tonight. Fingers crossed for a shed storming test.