Unhappy coach Steve Hansen says the All Blacks have to improve “just about everything” to deny the Wallabies a drought-breaking success at Eden Park.
With fine Auckland weather set to allow both teams to play to their strengths on Saturday night, Hansen stressed New Zealand need to lift 10 or 12 notches from the 12-12 draw in Bledisloe I.
But he hinted Australia may not be able to get much more out of themselves after blowing a golden opportunity at ANZ Stadium.
“I know we can. I don’t know how much they’ve got left to lift,” Hansen said on Thursday.
The All Blacks, who also struggled to overcome England in their June series, have reacted to the Sydney stalemate like a loss and Hansen admitted criticism of his team’s poor display was wholly warranted.
“Our skills and our game structures were basically non-existent to where we want them to be,” he said. “We just didn’t play well enough.
“We have to be honest about that, and if we want to retain the Bledisloe Cup we have to go up 10 or 12 notches and get on with it.”
The feeling in Australia that last Saturday was a massive missed opportunity, for a Wallabies side that enjoyed 65 per cent of possession, is also held on the other side of the Tasman.
“It was a golden chance,” said New Zealand’s most capped second-rower Ian Jones. “We really, really dodged a bullet.
“We gave them 18 penalties and we gave them so many chances and had no No.10 (Beauden Barrett) for the last 10 minutes but they just couldn’t take it.
“And you know what? It’s not going to help them when they come to Eden Park.”
While the Wallabies haven’t won in Auckland since 1986, the hosts have also stuck trouble with enforcers Ma’a Nonu (shoulder) and Jerome Kaino (elbow) ruled out.
Flanker Liam Messam has been recalled to play his first game in five weeks while Ryan Crotty, in his run-on debut, and Conrad Smith will form a new midfield combination.
Hansen blamed poor execution, a wonky set-piece platform and refereeing decisions for the All Blacks’ error-ridden Sydney display.
He revealed South African whistle-blower Jaco Peyper apologised for three short-arm scrum penalties against the Kiwi pack for pre-engagements as well as the first-half yellow card to prop Wyatt Crockett.
“He had a bad day at the office and he put his hand up,” Hansen said.
“But I have to emphasise it wasn’t just his problem, we had a hell of a bad day ourselves.”
stillmatic1
Guest
when have we seen a true 80minute performance though Riccardo? I would suggest probably never. we might have been in control of a game for 80 minutes after a great start, but each test match has lulls in play by either side, it is inevitable. frankly it is hoping for too much to put in such a performance against any top nation, they are up against professional players and the other side always gets a roll on at some point in the match. this doesn't have much to do with fitness IMO. the 80 minute performance is what they obviously strive for, but as Richie told a commentator a while back when asked why such slow starts, the response was "because it is a TEST match". and as a former player and now coach of rugby and basketball, I expect to see "holding patterns" throughout the game, where there is still a semblance of control on the game (ie: not letting it slip away). we must remember that even at ellis park last year, we weren't always in control, but it seems so when we were able to land the knockout punch. I feel that this is why we remain so good, the ability to hold on and strike when under severe pressure. totally different than playing a complete 80minute performance. oj certainly has a point, but again, the opposition ought to be getting closer, otherwise why bother playing? in saying this, the abs have been able to handle the other top 3 teams and have the ability to strike whilst under pressure. we saw it time and time again, when it mattered last week and in all the close games. is it ideal. no, and I would like to see us keep it tighter at times, but with the lottery of the ref becoming more and more an issue, I can see why they would want to play with a bit more width more often. at the end of the day, despite our failings, when we hold the ball, no one can go with us, and I am happy with that.
atlas
Guest
and Ihaia West (22) - ruined a perfectly good game tonight! Kicked a drop goal at 'the death' 81st minute giving Hawke's Bay a 29-26 win over Taranaki. In some cases I would be quite satisfied with a draw!
atlas
Guest
last Saturday's NZ Herald suggesting he was on Gordon Tietjen's list for Sevens next year and beyond; following his older brother 22yrs Marty (Hurricanes/Taranaki/Sevens) in a rugby career Just one more - I tried/failed to find the cut-off date for qualifying for under 20s JWC, wondering if DMck could play again (20 in April 2015) - is it under 20 at 1 Januury each year, or an actual under-20 for the tournament. Anyone?
Bring back Buck
Guest
I'd take Sopoaga - best goalkicker in the country (Carter included) and physically stronger than other 1st 5 options (& plays well with Aaron Smith)
Louie
Guest
Days of relying on Wallabies fitness to flag in the 10mins before 1/2 time and 20mins at the end. The ABs have long been the fittest team and in addition to great players and high individual skills , the couldn't be headed once that had a lead. Most teams have closed ( note I said closed not surpassed) both the fitness and skill gap. ABs still have some great players they are ageing and that is manifesting as inconsistency. Wallabies won't win on Saturday, but they could. We will win at Suncorp. The ABs form will continue to drop as their stars age and the world catches up in the skill dept. Tough days ahead for the Kiwis. ABs will not win the WC, I also bravely predict they will drop more games in the RC.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
He signed 3 years with the Chiefs
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Carter. Cruden and Barret will be one and two McKenzie will be number 3. You can just see from watching him play he makes the right decisions he has that Dan carter about him, i know it's waaaay to early to talk like that but i'm taking a punt this kid will be the next great NZ 10.
Chivas
Guest
Over who Kuri? Cruden, Barrett, Dagg, Smith... At 19. I am picking he has longer to wait. That said, couldn't be happier he finds himself in cow country.
atlas
Guest
noooo; I'm hoping for Counties-Manukau to hold on to the Ranfurly Shield a bit longer. Hope they get a good crowd - 10-12,000 I saw an estimate, not bad considering there's a test across town starting 3hrs later If they win, gives Hawke's Bay a shot at it, but unfortunately (imo) the following challenge is v Canterbury, and back to Christchurch it would go
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Watching Waikato play for the second time this season. Damian Mckenzie is going to be a superstar. Remember that kids name, he will be in the Chiefs starting side by season end and an All Black post world cup.
Bring back Buck
Guest
I expect we should win by about 10, but am more excited about the Ranfurly Shield. Tbh, i'd prefer Otago to win and the ABs lose (sorry for the lack of pwtriotism)
willy
Guest
All the same, for Peyper to admit he got a yellow card wrong, and 3 free kicks says a lot. Add that to what he did not admit, and you have a club second 15 referee, certainly no more.
dr katz
Guest
how dare grumpy cat blame the ref - thats the job of us aussies (we have it copyrighted you know). Better send the copyright fee to the ARU at St Leonards before its lawyers at 20 paces! ;-)
markie362
Guest
Richie would have made the same call
Tissot Time
Guest
Yes the exuberence of youth and decision making a discussion for the generations. Risk reward always debatable in hindsight. Would the "winningest" captain in Test rugby have made the same decision in the same position?
Riccardo
Guest
Gidday Still, OJ wrote a piece yesterday talking about that part of their gameplan, that opposiiton teams are able to combat it and the fact that the All Black game-plan hasn't shifted enough. He has a point. I agree that this Test is likely to see more accuracy and physicality, both glaring ommisions last weekend except when we defended our line. The All blacks will lift, hopefully earlier than the 2nd half. "why expend all your energy in the first 20 minutes?" Sorry but I disagree. The All Blacks should be fit and that's an 80minute proposition. And a fast and accurate start will go some way to putting the pressure back on the Wallabies, which is something we can struggle with. I appreciate that the 10 minutes either side of half time and maybe the final stages of the 2nd can be somewhat lucrative for the All Blacks but it would be a mistake to understimate these Wallabies and not be engaged from the get-go. We have not seen a complete peformance since Ellis Park. Even the third Test against the English had moments of apathy considering how well they played at times. We need an emphatic 80minute response at Eden Park...
Canetragic
Guest
I agree. The Wallabies were on a roll, the try was on, ABs were a player down - go for it. He would have been a hero if it was scored. We all like to see tries scored, and there has been much comment on the lack of them last weekend, but some of us criticise Hooper for having a go?
Canetragic
Guest
They do Harry and all power to them. Nice turn of phrase that "like the dickens" :)
Karl K
Guest
Everyone is saying that it was bad captaincy from Hooper. Why? It was three minutes before half time, the wallabies had the abs under the pump. They also only had 14 men on the field. Let's say he had taken the kick for goal earlier. What is there to say that the abs couldn't have raced through at the ensueing kickoff, caught the ball and scored against the wallabies? Hindsight is a wonderful thing fellas. Was not the Captains fault that his kicker missed an easy shot at goal.
Chuck
Guest
M.S Every team has abad day at the office, yes the wallabies should of put the A.Bs away that was bad captaincy by Hooper when opportunity were on offer he turned it down few weaknesses you say A.Bs have that' say a lot from The wallabies point of view ,Graham Henery priority was all ways defence Patterns ,slow back row under the condition They were playing under and the rub of the green by the ref weren't doing any favours ?,they made three changes Injury replacements this is the best. Team that Steve Hansen can put on the park past are for the history books, The wallabies will tell you that! . ,!!!