It doesn’t happen too often when the New Zealand All Blacks hit a purple patch, but after losing two games in a row to the Springboks and the Wallabys, an unusual amount of pressure has been gathering on Graham Henry and his men in black. Another loss to the Wallabys at Eden Park on Saturday would have put the Australians in charge of the 2008 Tri-Nations, and would have heaped even more pressure on All Blacks coach Graham Henry. It also would have been a bad way to finish things up at Eden Park, the Mecca of Kiwi Rugby. Eden Park is about to go over a major reconstruction and face lift in preparation for the 2011 Rugby World Cup, which will be coming back to New Zealand for the first time since 1987. (The first and only Rugby World Cup title ever won by the All Blacks)

The All Blacks won going away, getting some serious payback against the Wallabys by winning 39-10. The management and fans at French club Perpignan must be salivating like Pavlov’s dog after watching Dan Carter’s performance for the All Blacks. McCaw was all over the field hitting everything in yellow with the ball, and just creating havoc at the breakdown. Loose-Head prop Woodcock did all of us props proud by scoring not one, but two tries. The Wallabys were just left for dead in the second half.

This win by the All Blacks but them one point ahead of the Wallabys. The Tri Nations takes a break next weekend and will be back and running on August 16th, with the All Blacks visiting the Springboks. Australia has two more games in South Africa, and New Zealand goes to Australia for what can be the decisive match in the 2008 Tri Nations.

Like the plague victim in Monty Python’s Holy Grail, the All Blacks are “not dead yet.” The Wallabys and ‘Boks are both very much in the mix, as well.