Star utility back Dane Haylett-Petty is confident the Wallabies are closing the gap on the powerful All Blacks, but it remains to be seen whether that will translate into Bledisloe Cup success this year.
The Wallabies haven’t won the Bledisloe Cup since 2002 and Haylett-Petty is desperate to end that 16-year drought.
This year’s three-match series begins in Sydney on August 18, before games in NZ and Japan.
The Wallabies were blown away in last year’s Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney, trailing 54-6 at one point on the way to a 54-34 loss.
In a bid to avoid another tardy start, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has organised a trial game for Friday night in Sydney.
The Wallabies will be up against a side featuring Wallabies squad members, Super Rugby players, and also Western Force players.
Haylett-Petty, who played for the Force before they were axed from Super Rugby at the end of last season, was thrilled to hear his former side would be represented in the trial.
And he’s confident of what the Wallabies will produce against the All Blacks.
“We feel like we are getting closer each and every year, and the confidence is building,” Haylett-Petty said.
“We feel ready for this year. There’s a huge hunger.
“The Crusaders are pretty special at the moment. But the gap is definitely closing. We (Australian Super Rugby sides) won a few games against the Kiwis this year.
“And from inside the camp when you’re training together and you see some of the quality within our group, there’s a lot of belief there that we’re heading in the right direction.”
Haylett-Petty returned to his hometown of Perth on Monday to promote next year’s Bledisloe Cup clash at the 60,000-seat Optus Stadium, to be played on August 10.
It will be the first clash between the Wallabies and All Blacks to be played in Western Australia.
Some fans are still threatening to boycott the match as a protest to Rugby Australia’s decision to axe the Force.
Others will wear their blue Force jersey to the match, instead of the Wallaby gold.
The WA minister for Tourism, Paul Papalia, hopes fans won’t boycott the match.
“Yes, perhaps wear your Force jumper, that might be a way of demonstrating your concerns,” he said.
“But why would you deprive yourself of watching this event, which is the first ever Bledisloe Cup in WA? Why would you do that to yourself?
“I can’t concede that that’s a good idea.”
The Force are now playing in World Series Rugby, which was launched by billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest.
Haylett-Petty, who was left heartbroken by the Force’s Super Rugby axing, hopes to see some Force players in Wallabies colours in the near future.
Vesi Tagoiagea
Roar Rookie
they are getting closer every year for the last 16 years
adam smith
Guest
Well played Ralph??!
Jacko
Guest
Spot on Ralpf I believe the ABs need to overcome the odds and play above themselves as all good underdogs do
Julz
Guest
They gotta need a tune up game before the first match. ABs always have a tune up match before the first bledisloe.
Forward Wheel
Guest
It`s will be an exhibition match as all Cheikas pets will be put in cotton wool. Foley won`t play friday and even if he did play and the other 10 carved him up, Foley would be first picked for the Wallabies.
bluffboy
Guest
Yes Cliff it surprized me to. Fionn is normally close to the mark. I wouldn't have thought of Samu as a 7/openside. To me probably the player you need on the bench that can fit well into 4, 5, 6, and 8. I think he has had a run on the open, but only though necessity. He has been very good for impact when coming on in the second half for Sanders this season.
Ralph
Roar Guru
With that depth of confidence I immediately claim the All Blacks are underdogs.
John Wagner
Guest
Here we go again ! Please let us stop this "ultimate optimism", which, inter alia, puts pressure on our blokes, and also ensures that the ABs will not take us lightly. . Remember that they seldom lose a game in recent years (let alone a series).. Let us first win the Cup one year, without publicly talking up our chances beforehand, and THEN we can talk of our challenges for the Trophy in future years. Our immediate aim should be concentrating on regaining number 2 spot in the world. If we can do this, then the gap to the ABs will not be so great.
Gary
Guest
Hard for these guys to say absolutely nothing but I am with you and wish they would shut up and concentrate 100% on how they are going to bash the Blacks , and bash they must - for 80 odd minutes then bash them the next time and the next - then , bashing complete , they open their gob hole.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
DHP another handy provincial player a fullback trying his hand at BS . This Crusaders side would beat any side in world rugby and it will take more than forward passes and off sides at restarts to beat them . It’s relentless pressure that makes them so good and all our backs and few of our forwards can handle it . We at least have Pocock and hopefully no Hooper .
freddieeffer
Guest
“We feel like we are getting closer each and every year, and the confidence is building,” Haylett-Petty said. It's called so what...
AlBo
Guest
How about you read the article.
freddieeffer
Guest
I really annoys me when this annual pre-series/game hype from any Wallabies player or coaching staff, or pro-Wallaby commentariat in the Oz media (yes, the Fox guys) making predictions of 'what we're gunna do or achieve' in the coming Bledisloe games. Honestly, shut up! Until such times as there's a credible record of improved winning performances against the AB's, then say nothing. How many times have the fans been blatantly given false hope, only to be smacked back down to reality x 3 in the series? Ummm, most years for the last 16 straight as I recall. And even when we get the odd win off the AB's, these same people go hyperventilating as if we've just won the RWC. Is it any wonder that top level rugby has been losing relevance and support in the public domain here for many years now? This has translated into too many empty seats at RC and Test matches. Talk about the story of the boy who cried wolf. How about a dose of circumspection, modesty and realism before these guys open their mouths and start making claims. If that was done, a helluva lot more respect and credibility would be offered to our national team in my opinion; even if they end up getting their backsides handed to them (again). All I can say pre-game 1 RC's is that I hope they play smart and strong for 80 minutes. Notwithstanding, the current record books indicate that there's a high probability that this will not be enough to get them a win anyway. I wonder if the Wallabies could beat the Crusaders team playing in the SR final? I wonder how the Wallabies will go against a much improved SA side with their strong set piece? I can wonder, RC's. That's it. To say too much more makes me look like a fool. In any case that's ef... fer...
adam smith
Guest
Aren’t the Wallabies always “eyeing off a Bledisloe cup upset?” I’d be pretty disappointed if these professionals didn’t approach each game & the series, with a positive attitude towards winning. Self-belief & confidence is a must, surely?!
AndyS
Guest
A bit of a bold choice of salesman for the 2019 Bledisloe - probably the one player best characterising what they've lost....
rebel
Roar Guru
Agree with this. It would be unwise to alienate them any more. WA must be included as much as possible now the cut at Super Rugby level has been made. Can't waste the ground work done to date any further.
Cliff Bishkek
Roar Rookie
Sorry Fionn, apart from all the hula-loop over the Tahs making the semi-final. Australian franchises have not improved. Our players still continue to make the same old mistakes. The Pooper and Foley (we need him as there is no one else) do not work. Our forwards need to toughen up. I am amazed on another thread those who see no benefit in Samu??
Fionn
Guest
It would be a surprise if we win a test even, but we won one last year and I think we've improved since then. Likely that the All Blacks have improved too, but all we can do is try and hope, eh? I too think the trial is a very good idea to try and keep the guys match fit. Injuries at 13 are a real concern...
bluffboy
Guest
The only question I have, is it a Trail or is it an exhibition. If Cheika is willing to select on basis of performance, which is the point of a trial, he may have indeed turned a corner.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Props to Cheika for bringing in some Force lads for the trial. At least he has the brains to recognise that Western Australia and that state’s rugby loving billionaire are good for the long term future of the game in Australia.