The All Blacks have been impressed by the Wallabies under new coach Dave Rennie and they’re expecting another tough encounter on Saturday night in Sydney.
The All Blacks will be on guard for a Chiefs-style ambush when they take on the Wallabies in Saturday night’s clash in Sydney.
New Zealand lead the four-match Bledisloe Cup series 1-0 after a win and a draw on home soil and they can wrap up the trophy with a victory in either Sydney or Brisbane.
All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree has been impressed by what the Wallabies have produced under new coach Dave Rennie – and he’s not surprised.
Rennie transformed the Chiefs into one of Super Rugby’s most consistent sides during his six-year stint as coach, leading the NZ franchise to the title in 2012 and 2013.
Plumtree feels the Wallabies are starting to show similar traits to what Rennie instilled at the Chiefs.
“There were parts of their game that we saw (were similar to) the way the Chiefs played over the years under Dave,” Plumtree said.
“I think their set piece has got better. They had a real crack at us at scrum time. Their line out is functioning well. They’re aggressive defensively.
“They use the ball with width and they’ve stretched us on many occasions out wide and we’ve had to scramble pretty hard in defence.”
The Wallabies haven’t beaten the All Blacks in NZ since posting a 23-15 win in Dunedin in 2001.
But they have beaten NZ in two of the past three matches in Australia, including a 47-26 walloping in Perth last year.
“They’re playing at home now so it’s a whole different kettle of fish,” Plumtree said.
“As an All Blacks side playing in Australia, we’ve already come out and said we understand what our record is like in Australia.
“It’s always been a tough place for a NZ side to win and the weekend isn’t going to be any different.”
Plumtree said All Blacks defence coach Scott McLeod has since rejoined the side in Australia after staying at home initially due to illness.
“He had a bit of a cold and he did the right thing by contacting the doc and he didn’t travel with the team,” Plumtree said.
“But now he’s good to go.”
John
Agree with you, the anticipation of a good match is back. The next couple of years should be interesting. Want Samu in the side and think Petaia would be great at fullbsck.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Isn’t it actually spelled Geez? :happy: :happy: only joking.. On South African pages any discussion will have probably 70% participants not having English as a home language yet it’s quite common for them to be criticized for grammar or spelling errors.. Language snobbery methinks..
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
Shut up and drink your covfefe
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
This narrative is ill-informed Obes. You know there is a defense coach right - Matt Taylor. You're right that they fell off tackles and therefore lost line-speed in defense at Eden Park but part of that was the pressure from the All Black ball runners who were much better and more physical than Dundin. Give the new coaches a chance, by which I mean a season, at least.
Obes
Guest
He is a diabolical coach. He selects the players who miss the tackles.Needs to go ASAP.He cannot coach at test level.It`s above his pay grade.
Phantom
Roar Rookie
They are never dismissive.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Great comment you bar sterward :laughing:
stillmissit
Roar Guru
ScottyP: Wayne Smith is to rugby what Brian Eno was to rock bands.
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
When they are dismissive of Australia they are arrogant, when they talk up Australia it's mind games... Aussies are such a fickle bunch.
soapit
Roar Guru
yeah odd comment, deans had 5 and a half seasons didnt he?
Brian
Guest
"Rightness" just doesn't seem...right. Wouldn't the sentence work better with "correctness"
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
No no no...! If the AB's are talking you up then they are probably talking you down...what? ... Y'all wanna be best buddies on the field?... Just asking?
robert
Guest
Hoskins is starting laumape is on the bench
Rugger
Guest
SBW may have been a fantastic squad member and standard setter in training but gee it’s hard to say he was a superstar among his AB peers beyond celebrity. He pretty much gave away a series win against the BI Lions, was yellow carded in a World Cup semifinal and was benched in the two World Cup winning teams behind Nonu. Great Leaguey, very good at Union
Loosey
Roar Rookie
I just youse a speel chocker.
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
I agree. I won't write him off and neither will I appoint him as the 2nd coming just yet. He should only be judged in a couple of years. As good as he was at the Chiefs early on, many forget that he did have Wayne Smith with him. Time will tell.
Gavin
Guest
Isn’t it refreshing to see the difference in the Wallabies and the general public regarding the rugby. Gone is the siege mentality of Chieka and the underperforming so called superstars. I feel that the ABs will retain the Bledisloe this year but look forward to next year for a win.
Gavin
Guest
Obes Rennie isn’t the player on the field missing the tackles. Missed tackles isn’t the coaches fault.
Brian
Roar Rookie
Yep, when Cooper was wanting to shove Richie about, Deans should have made him pull his head in instead of letting him say "bring it on" and the "Brand" should have been stomped on from day1.
GoldenEye
Roar Rookie
Dean's biggest issue was not sorting out the Three Amigos