Wallabies legend Tim Horan has lit the Bledisloe Cup fuse for Saturday night's showdown in Sydney, declaring the All Blacks are in danger of losing their aura once and for all.
After the All Blacks' embarrassing exit at the World Cup last year, Horan said the All Blacks brand would never recover its former glory.
And now, after Graham Henry's side lost to South Africa last week, Horan said the All Blacks are one loss away from hitting rock bottom in the credibility stakes.
"They are at the stage where they're at the tipping point of losing their aura," Horan said.
"That aura of the All Blacks has been there ever since the team started."
Horan's words are sure to hit home among All Blacks fans who have seen their team fall from their top spot on the IRB world rankings and bow out early from another World Cup.
The Wallabies have won the World Cup twice with Horan in the No 12 jersey in 1991 under Nick Farr-Jones, when he was the official player of the tournament and again in 1999, with John Eales as captain.
The Queensland Reds stalwart, who played 80 tests for the Wallabies, says it's been a constant surprise to him why the All Blacks have failed to deliver on the sport's biggest stage.
"My pick for the last World Cup was for the All Blacks to win the final by 20 points, that's how superior I thought they were," Horan said.
"I don't think you can pick one isolated reason the All Blacks don't perform at World Cup. It just doesn't happen.
"Having the World Cup at home is obviously going to help them in a few years' time. But the World Cup is so far off and these days you can easily play 50 test matches in the four years between World Cups."
Horan says the first Bledisloe Cup game of the year, in Sydney next weekend, will be massive for both countries for very different reasons.
He believes Robbie Deans needs the win to keep happy a rugby public desperate for success, while Henry's men must win to keep alive hopes of winning the Tri Nations.
"It's important for us (Australia) because it's our home ground," he said.
"You only get three home games and to have any chance of winning the Tri-nations you have to win them.
"With Robbie Deans being part of the Australian set up now, it's going to take him time to settle in.
"As much as the Australian public aren't very patient sports people, they're going to have to be a bit more so with Robbie.
'The Wallabies' first three matches weren't fantastic, struggling test matches.
"I just hope there's not too much fool's gold there at the moment.
"New Zealand now has to win two games away to have any chance of retaining the Tri-nations.
"They'd think they'll have a fair chance of beating the Wallabies in Auckland, but to win the competition they'll need to win at least one of the two games in Australia."
Saturday's Bledisloe Cup test is likely to match up Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes and Stirling Mortlock in the Australian midfield against Dan Carter, Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith.
Horan said the All Blacks have often targeted an attack up the middle as a real strength of theirs but says they may come up short trying to do that against the Wallabies.
"The Australian strength is in the backline, especially the midfield with Matt, Berrick and Stirling," said Horan.
"It will be a good clash because that's where the All Blacks have always tried to get across the advantage line and set a platform.
"Berrick is predominantly a 10, but has adapted really well this year to 12.
"He's actually better suited to that position because he's got a very good kicking, passing and running game.
"He's also probably the best defensive player in the Wallabies team."
