The swamp that became an All Black fortress: Why is it so bloody hard to win at Eden Park?

A cricket lover, Walton’s favourite memory of the ground is Grant Elliott hitting a six off the second-last ball to win the 2015 World Cup semi-final, ahead of the 2011 World Cup final win over France, 8-7. He recalls hundreds of spectators not even able to physically watch in the last minutes of that game.

Walton has seen 80 years worth of games, but he can’t quite put his finger on why the All Blacks are so strong at Eden Park.

“Talking to All Blacks over the years, they feel a real connection with the crowd in the modern era,” he said. “It’s a bit like Suncorp Stadium, because spectators are close to the playing surface. It’s a bit airy-fairy to talk about atmosphere, but there is a significant atmosphere.”

The records indicate the Wallabies haven’t even had many close defeats, beyond a 6-3 loss in 1991. Mostly, however, they have actually been competitive but for a 10-minute lapse that concedes a try or two, which turns into 30 points as the Wallabies chase and get loose.

After a few years under Joe Schmidt, however, this Wallabies team is better at staying in the game. And new coach Les Kiss has even had a win at Eden Park; as a defence coach for Ireland at the 2011 World Cup – against the Wallabies.

(The Wallabies later beat Wales in the bronze medal game at Eden Park, too).

Kirwan says the pressure of playing at Eden Park is essentially all psychological – for both the visitors, and hosts.

“It’s largely between the ears [for visitors],” he said. “But the positive for us is the big pressure on us as well. This is not just another Bledisloe Cup.

“There’s the added pressure for you to prepare properly. As an All Black, you don’t want to be the first one to lose there.”

Kirwan recalls scoring one of the most famous tries seen in New Zealand, when he ran 80 metres and through half the Italian side, to score in the very first World Cup match in 1987.

“It’s been etched in history a bit, and I held my breath for 90 yards. I scored the try and I was actually dizzy,” Kirwan says.

“But I always remember when I was running back, I was thinking: ‘Wow, I really love this place’.”