Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has brushed aside fears his side suffer a mental block against the All Blacks, as they bid to end a 10-Test losing streak to New Zealand in Hong Kong.
Deans insisted his young side were “competitive” with the All Blacks despite New Zealand’s recent mastery over them, including three dramatic wins this year to secure the Bledisloe Cup.
“We haven’t got the measure of them but we are competitive,” Deans told reporters in Hong Kong via a telephone conference.
The former New Zealand international turned Wallabies coach said suggestions his team must vault a psychological hurdle to beat the All Blacks on October 30 were off the mark, attributing the poor run to inexperience and injuries.
“The reason is, when you look at our group, we haven’t had a lot of continuity, we haven’t had the same people,” he said.
“The All Blacks and the Springboks have had unprecedented continuity. They are two sides that may go down in history as the greatest sides yet.”
The All Blacks secured a historic six-game clean sweep of the Tri-Nations championship for their 10th southern hemisphere crown and are ranked No.1 in the world.
But Australia almost broke their dominance in Sydney last month, going down 23-22 in a last-gasp defeat.
Deans conceded the result was tough on his side and has spent the last two training camps ahead of the Hong Kong Test – the fourth and final of the Bledisloe series – urging them to close games out once they are in winning positions.
“The All Blacks are a side that plays 80 minutes, a side that plays with a lot of width and skill,” he said.
“We’ve got to go toe-to-toe with them for the 80 minutes, you’ve got to make the most the possession you have.
“It’s never fun losing. Every game is demanding in international rugby, the ones you lose are just as demanding as the ones you win.
“The boys put a lot into it (Sydney Test) and came second but there’s no point sulking about it we’ve got to own the reality that we came second.”
Australia desperately want to turn the form book on their bitter rivals and take a strong run of results into next year’s World Cup, Deans said.
“The public want the same things as we do… we’re close but we don’t have anything to show for it,” he said.
“It’s the nature of the All Blacks, you get given nothing by them, you have to earn everything.”
Critics of the Hong Kong Test, with about 18,000 tickets unsold two weeks ahead of the game, say it is a dead rubber after the All Blacks’ Bledisloe win.
Mike
Guest
Taine Randall just said that casue he wants the ABs to lose - like the 5 times in a row when he was a useless captain
dunc
Guest
As an All Black fan, yes, the Wallabies tour has more intrigue about it for sure. Who will step up, stand out, for the Wallabies, who will stake a claim for the RWC. But don't forget, we will have Sonny Bill Williams stepping on to the international stage, and he could make headlines!
Ben S
Roar Guru
I suppose that depends on what you're looking for, Katipo. The Wallabies tour might include Tests that should in theory be tight. In contrast NZ should blow everyone away, which might get boring, but if they play excellent rugby then that's good enough for me, even as a losing fan.
Nat
Guest
He could do worse than taking some of thoe exciting 7s players. Interestingly, the only 7s player who I remember falling off tackles and lacking (relative) fitness was Lachie Turner who he probably WILL take.
Katipo
Guest
Ben S, I digress. You are right. Wales and England will be interesting tests too. The Wallaby tour is a more engaging prospect the All Black's Grand Slam tour.
Ben S
Roar Guru
You don't think it's an interesting proposition that Australia face Wales and England, two sides they have both lost to in the past two seasons, and two sides that also have a young core of players?
Ben S
Roar Guru
I don't think that England necessarily out-muscled Australia, they simply played more intelligent 7s. Despite having two men sin binned they stuck to a routine from the kick-offs which went perfectly and allowed them to build a score. Perhaps that has something to do with the fact that the Australia side contained so many Super players, whereas the England side contained only 7s players, and no Aviva Premiership players.
Monty
Guest
Katipo, As a Wallabies supporter I can tell you that for me this is anything but a dead rubber. And if the Wallabies win I will be on cloud nine and let all and sundry know. Monty
jameswm
Guest
they need to tackle better - our 7s team. And not panic and make mistaks under pressure. NZ - and England for that matter - outmuscled us.
Katipo
Guest
This is a nothing article. I think the rugby unions press officers have kpi's to meet so send meaningless press releases to the media.The reality is the Hong Kong test is a dead rubber. Why they didn't agree to make it a one-off winner takes the Bledisloe I'll never know? AB's will just consolidate some depth during their NH tour. Apart from the Wallabies there isn't a real test ahead of them. They'll walk in a grand slam. If they need a challenge how about grand slam the six nations in one tour? They could squeeze in Italy and Scotland as mid-week tests and thump them with the dirt trackers. The next real action for the All Blacks begins with Tri-nations in 2011. Aussies have an tough test in prospect against France, looking forward to that more than the HK test, and a couple of interesting mid-week match-ups, otherwise league's 4-nations could be a more interesting football watching proposition at this point... JON and Steve Tew need to own the reality of that!
dunc
Guest
Maybe Robbie should get some of the Aussie players from their Commonwealth Games team. They took NZ on in the final and led 17 to 7 at one point. The squad showed alot of guts, pride and team work. Maybe RD should focus on developing those elements, then he could really own the reality....haw haw...
Ben S
Roar Guru
Yeah, very good, Hawko. ;-)
ohtani's jacket
Guest
People said the same thing in 2008 and 2009 but it doesn't appear to make much difference.
jameswm
Guest
Yeah you've lost me now... I hate how we get these inane articles because there's nothing else to write about. I wish the players would just go away and train and say no to the press when it asks the inane questions.
Rangi
Guest
Jameswm.....I think back in 2008 he badly wanted to beat the ABs but by Christchurch 2010 he couldn't give a rat's arse because, and I quote, " I was employed to win the World Cup " and the implication being that nothing that happens along the way matters that much. Now he is desperate, it's all a bit confusing really. Maybe someone didn't like the line he used in Christchurch. Although, maybe owning the reality means sometimes you have to change your story to fit the reality. Oh boy I need a rest because all this psychobabble is doing my head in.
Harry
Guest
Far better than the zero games of hard rugby that every Australian player has had in the last 5 weeks.
Taniwha
Guest
I think the game in Hong Kong will be interesting. I think the Wallabies in particular are really targeting this game to break their duck. From all reports they have been having pretty intensive camps while large part of the AB camp has largely been idle (though probably on individual training programs). Added the fact that it doesn't sound like Carter will be ready, make's thing a little more interesting..
Jerry
Guest
They'll take most of them. I'd be surprised if they left anyone at home to be honest, but even if they rest those guys you mention they'll still be taking Weepu, Nonu, Smith, Mils, Read, Jane and Whitelock who've all barely played. Along with the likes of Franks, Cowan, Vito, Woodcock, Mealamu etc who will have played one or two matches max.
Darwin Stubbie
Guest
sure for every McCaw, Carter etc ... I'm sure I could roll out dubious selections - an injured Ben Blair over Cullen or then picking Ben Atiga, or going into a world cup with a flakey goalkicker in Spencer (and making bold predictions along the lines of "goalkicking won't win this w/cup" - that was one gem amongst many) .. the list goes on ... most of those names you mentioned would have come through anyway under any coaching regime - because as you allude to they've got the talent At present Wallaby supporters seem to be going down the lines of painting Deans as a highly priced youth talent spotter - is that good business by the ARU - I'd say he hasn't really returned on the investment yet .... but I'm certainly glad there's the distance of the Tasman between him and the NZ team
Armchair-critic
Roar Pro
I'm pretty sure McCaw, Carter, Mealamu, Muliaina, Thorn, Nonu, Rococoko, Flynn, So'oialo, Braid, Ali Williams to name a few, all debuted in 2002/03 to a fair amount of criticism. (for replacing experienced, 'over the hill' players) A lot of these players have gone on to become one of the greatest in their positions in ABs history. So if this is indeed a similar trend to what is currently happening in Australia then i see that as a GOOD thing.