The Wallabies believe they can reap a major psychological Rugby World Cup advantage with a drought-busting victory at Eden Park to “create doubt” in All Black minds.
New Zealand have been unbeaten at their Auckland headquarters since 1994 and also triumphed over Australia in their last 11 Bledisloe Tests there stretching back 25 years.
But, thanks to that record, hard-nut centre Anthony Faingaa said a Wallabies upset on August 6 would help deliver far more benefits beyond putting them in the driver’s seat for Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup silverware.
“World Cup wise, that’s in the back of our minds at the moment, the Tri-Nations is our first priority and we want to get as much silverware going into the World Cup firstly, and especially to create a bit of doubt,” Faingaa said on Wednesday.
“To create doubt for the All Blacks and other teams that are watching us.
“Something you want to create is doubt in other teams and I think throughout this whole year you saw the Reds create doubt in other teams and that’s what we’ve got to try to do.”
Certainly Queensland’s 18-13 Super Rugby final triumph over the All Black-laden Crusaders created plenty of doubt in New Zealand pundits and fans this month, with questions again asked whether the hosts had peaked too early.
Many of those Crusaders players return to action in this Saturday’s Tri-Nations clash with South Africa, while a full-strength All Blacks side will be picked to face the Wallabies seven days later.
The Wallabies are likely to retain the same starting 15 which outclassed the Springboks 39-20 on the weekend, but a limping Kurtley Beale again failed to train with the team due to his ankle injuries.
While Beale expects to be fit in time, Faingaa looms as the man who would profit from the fullback’s absence, slotting into the centres with Adam Ashley-Cooper or Pat McCabe moved back to No.15.
McCabe has impressed in his two starts at inside centre to initially steal the march on Faingaa and Matt Giteau but the Reds defensive linchpin hopes his combination with Quade Cooper, a direct game and low tackling may work in his favour.
“You can’t have all flash, you have to stop them first,” he said.
“I think with all the flair we have with Kurtley Beale and James O’Connor, these guys have such gas, for myself it’s about doing that simple job.
“I don’t think anyone has secured their own spot so these mini-battles you have in training (are important).”
dwc
Guest
Tri-Nations 2010 - New Zealand 2009 - South Africa 2008 - New Zealand 2007 - New Zealand 2006 - New Zealand 2005 - New Zealand 2004 - South Africa 2003 - New Zealand 2002 - New Zealand 2001 - Australia 2000 - Australia 1999 - New Zealand 1998 - South Africa 1997 - New Zealand 1996 - New Zealand
Trevor
Guest
Blah blah blah - this grandstanding has gone on for years and years. One win or a good half and wallabies r best in world! To be honest the wallabies do look the scariest they have looked in years - but why all the talk up before they actually do the business. It's not a great trait - in nz the all blacks can never be good enough. They will smash teams by 30 points and all the media concentrates on is the mistakes - in Aussie all they concentrate on and plug to death is any upside no matter how small. Turn people and Teams into legends once they deliver! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
jeremy
Guest
I'm a late adopter of the Tour de France, only really got into a couple of years ago with some colleagues from the UK who were hardcore fans, so yes guilty on both counts of not knowing Evans. In 2010 and 2011 he came across as both humble and hopeful, very respectful of his opponents and effusive in praise of his team-mates, and this year he almost didn't dare hope to win. I greatly respect that, someone that quietly gets on and does what he needs to in order to win. Yet of course he would have that singular, all consuming drive to be the best in the world at whatever cost.
Jerry
Guest
"I have every little comment recorded here!!!!!" Well, you certainly watch sport for the right reasons.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Jeremy you are either not a fan of cycling or don't know much about Cadel Evens but he has been talking about winning the tour since after he switched to road Post 2000. Around 2002 he was asked if he would ride the tour and he replied along the lines of, yep I think I'll win it one day. That's paraphrasing by the way. Probably not the best example but I do get what your saying. I don't mind a bit of this gen y confidence, and this is the first year they have taken control of the side, however our core forwards are still dominated by the 2007 vintage, so I really don't expect a win at Eden park.
jeremy
Guest
Mate, what's your prediction for the outcome of the Bledisloe, 3N and World Cup? Would be interesting to have it on record.
jeremy
Guest
Hey Funk, I suspect that Harrison, like me, will be paraphrasing others opinions. It does ring a little true, though, doesn't it? The team is short a couple of wily old forwards (or even Gregan for that matter) who know how to manage a game.
dwc
Guest
jeremey, thats the post of the month! I was at the Wallabies vs Boks game and i just felt the Aussies were happy to play touch rugby and not do the hard yards in the forwards.....maybe that was a good game plan but it won't work against NZ, England in NZ come the big tourney
Who Needs Melon
Guest
Not that I think the Wallabies need any more media training but how about "I couldn't possibly say. The All Blacks look to be very strong again as always. All I can tell you is that we're not taking the match lightly. We're going to need to give everything we've got, play with confidence, leave nothing in the tank and put in a performance we can be proud of".
Funk
Guest
Jiggles, please hand over your passport now :)
Funk
Guest
Sorry Jeremy your 1st and most fundamental mistake in your post is that you actually listened to and believed Justin Harrison.....for a JH, a man with very limited brains to comment on other peoples intellectual ability is a little hard to swallow. You really need to check your sources, what you've done above is equal to writing your university thesis and referencing Wikipedia!
Winston
Guest
Awesome
SamSport
Roar Pro
You are 100% right. Look at the French and the South Africans - the only teams to have beaten the ABs in NZ since Henry became coach. Both those teams took that approach, and it was successful - I'll never forget Tuquiri saying the All Blacks had "lost their aura" before the Wallabies played the ABs at Eden Park in 2008. That didn't turn out to well, it started a record losing streak!
Big Willie M
Guest
Not Australia (lost 1991 and 2003 semi-finals), but they beat Sth Africa in 2003 quarter-finals
ianmac
Guest
Have NZ ever beaten Australia or South Africa in a RWC?
Who Needs Melon
Guest
I second that. Post of the week, the month, the year! The lesson: STFU please Wallaby players, former players, coaches, admin, etc. - let your rugby do the talking.
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Blind faith and optimism OJ…
Jiggles
Roar Guru
Prior to Isolation the Springboks had the better against NZ, but the NZ had a slightly better overall success rate so I think the “before the RWC” point is debatable as who is the superior team. I’m not sure the closed door policy is a good idea, meeting with fans keeps players feet on the ground I think. Otherwise all they do is spend time around other young blokes who the majority really don’t understand what life is all.
Big Willie M
Guest
2003: All Blacks thrash Wallabies 50 - 21 at Sydney (venue for RWC Semi-Finals / Final) All Blacks then beat Wallabies at Eden Park (closer game this time) to win the Bledisloe Cup back after 6 years without it RWC: Wallabies bt All Blacks in World Cup Based on the above, I'd very much doubt that what happens before the World Cup will have any influence on what happens in it. But these sort of theories do make for good reading. How about: 1999: The Springboks (who are current RWC champions) lose to one of their Tri-Nations opponents in the Semis, who then go on to win the RWC over a Nth Hemisphere opponent. So if history repeats, 2011: The Springboks (who are current RWC champions) lose to one of their Tri-Nations opponent in the Semis (scheduled to meet the All Blacks), who then go on to win the RWC over a Nth Hemisphere opponent (say, England, who beat the Wallabies in the other semi-final) Or you could go; 1999: Wallabies win RWC after being knocked out of the previous tournament in the q/finals. 2003: England win RWC after being knocked out of the previous tournament in the q/finals. 2007: Sth Africa win RWC after being knocked out of the previous tournament in the q/finals. So in 2011, you could argue that of the q/final losers in France, the Wallabies and All Blacks are the likeliest to continue this tradition. And so on - theories make good reading, so keep 'em coming . . . . .
ohtani's jacket
Guest
No loss has ever affected the Wallabies since they're so accustomed to losing. Water off a duck's back, I guess.