Coach Eddie Jones is looking for greater consistency from his Wallabies if they are to frustrate New Zealand's attempt to regain the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney early tomorrow morning Irish time.
Wallabies seek greater consistency
Coach Eddie Jones is looking for greater consistency from his Wallabies if they are to frustrate New Zealand's attempt to regain the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney early tomorrow morning Irish time.
The All Blacks have one hand on the Cup after their gritty 12-6 victory over Australia in Christchurch three weeks ago, but they need to avoid defeat here this weekend if they are to reclaim it after a five-year break.
The world champion Wallabies have broken the Kiwis' hearts with great escapes on the bell in recent series, but the New Zealanders believe they have got their act together this time.
"When we've attacked well this year, we've defended poorly and when we've defended well, we've attacked poorly and it goes more to the consistency of our game," Jones said today.
He said New Zealand, helped by the powerful presence of players from Super 12 champions Canterbury Crusaders, showed greater consistency in their try-less match at freezing Christchurch last month.
"The more they play the more to me they look like the Crusaders," he said.
"Defensively, they're consistent, they've got a good set pattern ... they're consistent in the way they play the ball, they play a lot of territory and when the opportunities avail themselves they'll use the ball.
"We've got to match them in that consistency in the basic skills."
Even though rugby-mad New Zealand are willing their All Blacks to give the Aussies their comeuppance, new coach John Mitchell says his side remains focused.
"You've got to be very careful as a team, and a coach," Mitchell said.
"You can be too preoccupied with silverware. All we focus on is our preparation. Nothing's changed this week from any other week. The little things do matter."
Since Australia's 3-0 sweep of the 1998 series to claim the Bledisloe Cup after a run of seven losses over three years, the All Blacks have been frustrated in their attempts to clobber the Wallabies.
The series have been cut back to two matches to slot into the Tri-Nations schedule with South Africa, and the Wallabies have twice shared the Bledisloe Cup series and won both of last year's Tests, some with last-gasp efforts.
New Zealand have nine points in the Tri-Nations, Australia six and South Africa one. The All Blacks and Wallabies still have to play in South Africa.
Australia: Chris Latham, Ben Tune, Matthew Burke, Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (captain), Toutai Kefu, George Smith, Owen Finegan, Justin Harrison, Nathan Sharpe, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.
Reserves: Brendan Cannon, Ben Darwin, Matt Cockbain, David Lyons, Chris Whitaker, Elton Flatley, Mat Rogers, David Croft.
New Zealand:- Christian Cullen, Doug Howlett, Tana Umaga, Aaron Mauger, Caleb Ralph, Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall, Scott Robertson, Richard McCaw, Reuben Thorne (captain), Chris Jack, Simon Maling, Greg Somerville, Mark Hammett or Tom Willis, Dave Hewett.
Reserves: Willis or Andrew Hore, Joe McDonnell, Marty Holah, Sam Broomhall, Byron Kelleher, Daryl Gibson, Leon MacDonald.
Referee: Andre Watson (Rsa).