All Blacks, Wallabies searching for winning form in Bledisloe Cup opener

The Bledisloe Cup series between Australia and New Zealand comes around each year as a high point of the Southern Hemisphere rugby season. This year it arrives with both teams at a low ebb and as a moment of desperation more than celebration.

The Wallabies come into Saturday’s first Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney on the back of a humbling 67-27 loss to Argentina.

The All Blacks have lost three Rugby Championship tests for the first time after back-to-back losses to South Africa and both teams have a 1-3 record in the Championship of which the Bledisloe Cup is a part.

Saturday’s match and the return match in Wellington next weekend will go a long way to deciding the further direction of the season for both teams and for their coaches. After the Rugby Championship both teams head to the Northern Hemisphere for matches which could result in further losses.

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt both come from backgrounds of considerable success.

Robertson coached the Christchurch-based Crusaders to seven consecutive Super Rugby titles. Schmidt coached Leinster to Heineken Cup and Pro-12 titles and Ireland to its first Six Nations Grand Slam.

Both are unaccustomed to the problems and consequences which come with losses and both seem to be feeling their way towards a solution through selection and tactical adjustment.

Both were appointed to turn around struggling teams. Schmidt was appointed to replace Eddie Jones after the Wallabies’ disastrous World Cup performance. Robertson was appointed before the World Cup, apparently in anticipation of a poor performance by the All Blacks. Instead, the All Blacks reached the final under former head coach Ian Foster which made Robertson’s appointment seem premature.

Roberson inherited a diminished team after the retirements or departures of players such as Richie Mo’unga, Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick and he has struggled since to instill depth and confidence.

Both coaches are in need of rapid solutions to a number of problems ahead of Saturday’s test. The Wallabies’ game, especially their defensive game, collapsed in the second test against Argentina and after leading 20-3, they conceded 64 points in 49 minutes.

Schmidt hasn’t responded with sweeping changes to his lineup for Saturday’s test, rather has re-integrated several players who have been absent through injury including livewire scrumhalf Nic White.

“For me it’s all about process driven,” Schmidt said. “Can we get better at that and that? A couple of the things that we didn’t do well (against Argentina).

“Can we see marked improvement in those areas and can we retain some real positives? We were 20 points to three up after 30 minutes so the catastrophe that it was, wasn’t for 80 minutes."

Robertson also has made changes mostly dictated by injury. The return of left winger Caleb Clarke from a back injury has caused him to rearrange his back three with Will Jordan moving to the right wing and Beauden Barrett returning from the bench to fullback.

Robertson has struggled to overcome a lack of impact from the reserves bench and that problem remains on Saturday. The All Blacks haven’t scored a point in the last quarter of four Rugby Championship matches, a consequence of not being able to take chances under pressure.

“Look, we’re playing some good footy,” Robertson said. “I want to try to be a bit more optimistic here because, man, we’re one pass away many times.

“We want to build off what we’ve done but be more ruthless with our actions to finish games, give those passes, kick those goals and nail those little moments.”

Both teams have suffered from a lack of cool heads at crucial moments. Leadership and communication are critical both in closing out matches and in winning key moments and both teams have lacked that quality.

The All Blacks will retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 22nd season in a row if they win on Saturday while the Wallabies have to win to keep the series alive. The match has the potential to be a turning point for both teams.

AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby

Argentina's Los Pumas Juan Cruz Mallia scores a try against Australia during a rugby championship test match between Argentina and Australia in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)

Australia's Tate McDermott passes the ball during a rugby championship test match against Argentina in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)

All Blacks, Wallabies searching for winning form in Bledisloe Cup opener

All Blacks, Wallabies searching for winning form in Bledisloe Cup opener

New Zealand's Scott Barrett, left, tackles South Africa's Ox Nche during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)

There are few guarantees in fantasy football, but these players are as close as you’ll get to a sure thing in Week 7 of the NFL season.

Start: Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers vs Ravens

Mayfield is second in QB fantasy points on the season, yet somehow there are 13 signal-callers who are more widely owned in fantasy going into Week 7. Maybe that will change after this Sunday, when Mayfield could post elite fantasy numbers, whether the Buccaneers win or lose. Mayfield is averaging almost 24 fantasy points a game over the season, and this week he’ll face a Ravens team that is a top-five matchup for opposing QBs. The Ravens are also a bottom-five matchup for opposing RBs, so the Bucs will need to attack them through the air.

Other locks:

—Jalen Hurts vs Giants

—Andy Dalton at Commanders

—Jayden Daniels at Panthers

—Jordan Love vs Texans

Avoid: Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs at 49ers

Mahomes is relying on name recognition to stay relevant in fantasy this season, as he’s just QB24 on the season. Averaging fewer than 14 fantasy points per game in 2024, Mahomes will face a 49ers team that isn’t the juggernaut it’s been in the past but still manages to give teams fits. Minus what would have been his No. 1 WR in Rashee Rice, Mahomes will rely on a short passing game and his running backs.

Start: Chuba Hubbard, Panthers at Commanders

Hubbard is off to a strong start. He didn't score in Week 6 as he had in the three previous games, but he still topped 100 all-purpose yards against a stout Falcons defensive front. It could be much easier this week when the Panthers will go up against a Commanders team that’s a top-10 matchup for opposing running backs.

Other locks:

—Tony Pollard at Bills

—Joe Mixon at Packers

—JK Dobbins at Cardinals

—Bijan Robinson vs Seahawks

Avoid: Josh Jacobs, Packers vs Texans

Jacobs is one of the least efficient backs in the league, and what’s worse is that the rest of the Packers offense is so potent. Jordan Love and company have a strong passing game. Jacobs gets ample carries, but Emanuel Wilson is eating into his workload with close to double-digit touches in Week 6. In an unenviable matchup with Houston’s top-10 run defense in Week 7, Jacobs could underwhelm.

Start: Tank Dell, Texans at Packers

Dell is finally getting loose, now that he’s healthy and Nico Collins is out for the time being. In Week 6, Dell led the team in targets (nine), picking up 57 yards and a score against a middling Patriots secondary. His outlook is even better this week, as Dell will face Green Bay. They’re a top-10 matchup for opposing WRs, and Dell is primed to take advantage.

Other locks:

—DeVonta Smith at Giants

—Jordan Addison vs Lions

—Zay Flowers at Buccaneers

—Diontae Johnson at Commanders

Avoid: Brandon Aiyuk, Chiefs vs 49ers

Aiyuk had 147 yards in Week 5, before a quiet Week 6. He only managed two catches for 37 yards last week against Seattle, and his matchup in Week 7 is even worse, as he’ll face the Chiefs vaunted secondary. With only one game of more than 50 yards so far this season, avoid Aiyuk in this tough matchup.

Start: Evan Engram, Jaguars vs Patriots

Engram is back and playing spectacularly, catching all 10 of his team-leading targets in Week 6 for 102 yards against the Bears. No worse for wear after missing four games with a hamstring injury, Engram could continue to roll this week against the Patriots.

Other locks:

—Cade Otton vs Ravens

—Dalton Schultz at Packers

—Kyle Pitts vs Seahawks

—Trey McBride vs Chargers

Avoid: Tucker Kraft, Packers vs Texans

Kraft has rendered Luke Musgrave obsolete in the Packers offense, with big games in Weeks 4 and 5. Going over 130 total yards and catching three combined TDs, Kraft cooled off considerably in Week 6, when Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs returned to the lineup. Kraft is the fourth option at best when the Packers WRs are healthy, and he’s likely to be bottled up by Houston’s strong TE defense in Week 7.

This column was provided to The Associated Press by RosterWatch, www.rosterwatch.com.

Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell holds onto his touchdown reception in the endzone against New England Patriots cornerback Jonathan Jones (31) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) runs the ball against Atlanta Falcons safety Justin Simmons (31) in the first half of an NFL football game in Charlotte, N.C., Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Fantasy plays: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates as he leaves the field following an NFL football game against New Orleans Saints in New Orleans, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Fantasy plays: Players to start and sit for NFL Week 7