The All Blacks insist they’re match-hardened for the arrival of the Wallabies despite a breezy start to their international season.
The battle for the Bledisloe Cup begins on Saturday night in Auckland, with the All Blacks out to seal a 19th-straight series if they claim the two opening Tests at Eden Park.
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New Zealand are yet to be challenged this year, running up a combined 219 points in two Tests against Fiji and one against Tonga: a sharp departure from Australia’s tough-as-nails series win over France.
All Blacks coach Ian Foster was a keen observer of the Wallabies’ first triumph under Dave Rennie, saying the win “got us more interested in where they’re going”.
“They’re trying to be physical. They’re trying to be confrontational. There’s certainly a desire to get involved around the ball and create a bit of a mess,” he said.
“They are a ball-in-hand team primarily (but) they look like they’re trying to do more on the counter attack.
“They want to play a skill-based game and a fast ruck-and-run game.
“They would have learned a lot from (the France series) and taken some confidence from that.”
Of chief concern is the Australian back line: a largely unknown quantity at international level.
Captain Sam Whitelock said his side noted the promotion of Jordan Petaia, at suspended Marika Koroibete’s expense, on the wing.
“They’ve got youth out there and Jordan is one of those guys,” he said.
Jordan Petaia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
“He’s played really well in Australia Super Rugby conference and took that form across to the trans-Tasman.
“You’ve got to try to cut down his time and space … that’s what we’re going to try to do. But doing it is one thing, talking about it is another.”
Like Rennie, Foster is entering his second season as an international coach.
Many Kiwi observers were underwhelmed by his 2020 season, which started with a 16-16 draw with Australia in Wellington before New Zealand retained the Bledisloe and scraped home in the Rugby Championship.
He said fans would see a “significant shift forward” from his All Blacks in 2021.
“I think there was 14 we brought in last year, new or one-Test All Blacks,” he said.
“It’s hard when you’ve got that significant percentage. It’s not easy getting that group to understand what Test matches are about really quickly.
“Already we’re noticing a real shift … even in attitudes at training. How they’re going about their work. We’re learning.”
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The exemption is that other non kiwis had to MIQ. The Wallabies, like kiwis, were able to come straight in if they came quickly enough.
Double Agent
Guest
Bookies giving away free money!!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
ABs by a few.
wigeye
Guest
Kick every penalty for 60 minutes at least thats where he's lost tests often so take all kicks loose by 9 or so still ok rebuilding
Rhys
Roar Rookie
If it’s flying at all!
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I agree, 20 plus is a smashing and would be a bit of a kick in the teeth. We have to be competitive and that comes from improving our performances. I for one don’t think we’d have won the French series under cheika for instance and to me that’s a measure of improvement. Especially considering the draws etc with Argentina last year.
moaman
Roar Guru
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/447805/wallabies-granted-miq-exemption-for-bledisloe-match#:~:text=The%20Wallabies%20will%20be%20allowed,go%20ahead%20on%207%20August.&text=New%20Zealand%20on%20Friday%20shut,to%20get%20a%20flight%20home.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
It's very well heeled and it only flies in exclusive circles.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
The Wallabies didn't get any preferential treatment over returning kiwis PK. Kiwis were also given a deadline to return without needing MIQ
Objective Observer
Roar Rookie
But surely improved performance has an effect on the score, I don’t expect a win but a loss by 20 plus points will be hard to spin as progress. We can’t accept - ‘“we were good for 60 min … “ if we get beaten by 25 points. The punters would not cop that from Cheika - so why accept it now!
Wigeye
Guest
I agree it should be neutral to keep the negative thinking/blame game out of it. Bring in neutral refs ....they can have bad days as well. As a kiwi I hope wallaby's have a blinder
Old Bugger
Guest
All the refs departed from countries that were not regarded as covid hot spots and flew into, a country that was. SA has open borders for anyone who wishes to enter is my guess.....that's their prerogative. At the time of the BIL's arrival, some members of the Boks squad, were covid infectious. NZ and now some AU states, now require MIQ, for all incoming travellers. In answer to your question - not all refs. A real bummer is that whistle-happy Williams, remained in NZ. His problem is not so much a lack of knowledge of the laws but on the contrary, he knows too much and therefore has that innate ability, to blow the whistle on anything and everything. Awarding anywhere between 20-30 penalties in a match produces a stop-start affair - actually, that would suit the WBs more than the ABs. I think I'll confirm my whinge about Williams to add a balanced argument.....LOL!!
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Well said, OB. And as Mitcher points out, not only why whinge after the event, why whinge before the event?
Geoff Parkes
Expert
There is one Australian and one NZ ref in SA at the moment, Brissie. Not sure how up to date with the various Covid situations you are but there's a very big difference between flying into South Africa at the moment than flying into New Zealand.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Nah, I wasn't watching what I was doing (pre-coffee) as it was not a reply post but a stand alone one, so a cut n paste job. Prediction for B1 TLN?
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Rennie is doing a good job but as he constantly repeats we’re climbing a mountain. I don’t think any Oz fans have serious expectations of victory.
Brissie
Guest
They have known the dates for a long time so I cant see why they didnt organise some neutral options. To late now tho.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yes, it’s the marketing pigeon.
Brissie
Guest
Arnt there a whole lot of Aus and NZ refs in SA at the moment? Surely if they can have refs from around the other side of the world then why cant Aus/NZ? Its WR laziness.
Diamond Jackie
Roar Rookie
Got it.