All Blacks primed for ‘hell’ of a Wallabies clash

SYDNEY – All Blacks coach Scott Robertson is expecting “a hell” of a Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia on Sept 21, predicting a tight game despite the Wallabies being mercilessly exposed by Argentina in their previous match.

New Zealand head into the clash in Sydney as favourites, having owned the trophy since 2003 and losing just one of their last 12 Tests against Australia.

However, they are on the back foot and Robertson is under scrutiny after consecutive Rugby Championship losses to South Africa.

“We want to build off what we’ve done but be more ruthless with our actions to finish games, give those passes, kick those goals and nail those little moments. The players and coaches have owned where we can be better,” he said.

Robertson has rejigged his back three after the 18-12 defeat in Cape Town a fortnight ago, with veteran fullback Beauden Barrett and left-wing Caleb Clarke returning to the starting side, and Will Jordan on the other edge.

The visitors are also boosted by loosehead prop Ethan de Groot recovering from a neck injury.

Robertson, 50, is expecting fellow New Zealander Joe Schmidt, the Wallabies coach, to spring some surprises.

“We’ve put a lot of preparation in, as much as the Aussies would, and that gives you the sort of underlying confidence going into it, but there’s always a little bit of trepidation,” he added.

“It’s the appropriate fear that comes with any sport, especially contact sport. It’s going to be a hell of a Bledisloe Cup.”

As well as the annual trophy fought over by the two rivals, the game is also part of the Rugby Championship, which South Africa are close to winning.

Australia are desperate for a win after their stunning capitulation on Sept 7 in Argentina, where they led 20-3 before collapsing to a 67-27 defeat, their largest in history.

Schmidt has made five changes to the starting side, with misfiring halves pair Jake Gordon and Ben Donaldson dropped and replaced by veteran Nic White and Noah Lolesio.

Centre Hunter Paisami and fullback Tom Wright return from injury, while flanker Fraser McReight is back after recovering from a broken finger.

“The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year. We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina, and we’re keen to turn that around,” said Schmidt.

The 59-year-old knows the All Blacks well having joined Ian Foster’s coaching staff for the 2023 World Cup campaign, and he spoke at length about the quality of their players after naming his Wallabies side.

“I know their strengths and I know their weaknesses, they probably have a lot less of those than they do strengths. They were a great group. But I really enjoy these guys I’m working with now,” he said.

Assistant coach Geoff Parling, meanwhile, said that the review process from the heavy Santa Fe defeat had been effective in pinpointing where they went wrong.

“As long as we learn, reflect, we push on, we know what the fixes are,” he said.

“I think any team that’s trying to be good has those up-and-down moments.” AFP, REUTERS