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The Wallabies’ honest admission before Bledisloe Cup Test in New Zealand
By AAP
After a miserable run lasting decades, both the Wallabies skipper and coach are happy to admit playing the All Blacks is intimidating.
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But both mentor Joe Schmidt and captain Harry Wilson are choosing to focus on the opportunity on offer when Australia run out at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
On Saturday night, another chance arrives to beat the All Blacks on their home turf for the first time since 2001, and in doing so give long-suffering Wallabies fans a reason to smile.
Some in the Wallabies squad hadn’t even been born when they last saluted in New Zealand.
Substitute Josh Flook wasn’t even a month old.
It’s therefore understandable Schmidt – the New Zealander who will coach against his country on Kiwi soil for the first time on Saturday – would admit trepidation from some of his team when facing the All Blacks.
“Some of ours are only dipping their toe in for the first time really at this level which has been pretty daunting for them to be honest,” he said.
“It was particularly daunting at 21-0 down last weekend.”
The Wallabies recovered after that disastrous start to run the ill-disciplined All Blacks close, losing 31-28 in Sydney’s Bledisloe Cup opener.
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That defeat meant Australia cannot claim back the trophy, last in their possession in 2002.
Wilson, who will run out for his 19th Test and fourth as skipper, said this weekend’s assignment was tougher than last week’s match at Homebush.
“It’s probably more daunting than playing in Australia,” he said, before flipping the challenge into a positive.
“It’s really exciting for us, we haven’t won over here in 20 years, and we really want to be the team to do that.”
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In the Wallabies’ favour is the All Blacks miserable record in Wellington, where New Zealand have had no wins in their last five Tests.
Schmidt’s side has eschewed the harbourside stadium in favour of training at the picturesque Rugby League Park in suburban Newtown, a grassroots ground surrounded by the lush green of Wellington’s town belt.
Kickers will do a reconnaissance trip to Sky Stadium to familiarise themselves with conditions, though the infamous Wellington winds are not forecast to roar.
On Australia’s last visit in 2020, a mighty gale was blowing, sending Reece Hodge’s late kick onto a post as the Wallabies settled for a 16-16 draw.
Wilson, who debuted in that match, might also draw strength from his Reds’ improved showings in New Zealand, winning matches each of the last two seasons.
“You take any win as a bit of confidence,” Wilson said.
“But for us it’s about this group tomorrow night be able to get a win over here. We’ve had a really good week’s prep and we’re excited about the opportunity.”
Dylan Pietsch will be chomping at the bit at Sky Stadium, given a first run-on start for the Wallabies at the same venue he made his Sevens debut back in 2017.
He replaces Marika Koroibete who has a wrist injury and was spotted at training with a heavily strapped right hand on Friday.
The second change is at halfback where Jake Gordon comes in, with Tate McDermott remaining on the bench and Nic White missing out.
The All Blacks have also made a key change to their back line, giving Beauden Barrett a chance at 10, ending a run of eight-straight chances for Damian McKenzie.
Both the Wallabies and All Blacks have named unchanged forward packs.
