Wallabies Expect Fast-Paced All Blacks in Bledisloe Opener
Australia are chasing their first Bledisloe Cup since 2002 and their first Eden Park win since 1986, with injuries testing New Zealand's depth.
- Australian captain Harry Wilson and the Wallabies face the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test, with Wallabies-turned-All Blacks coach Dave Rennie making his first appearance against his former team since Australian Rugby showed him the door in 2023.
- The Wallabies face a 40-year drought at Eden Park, having not defeated the All Blacks at the venue since 1986, part of a broader Bledisloe Cup drought since 2002 that predates four current players' births.
- Australia enters on a six-match unbeaten streak—their first in nine years—after defeating South Africa 42-38 last month, while the All Blacks have lost three consecutive Tests amid injuries including flyhalf Richie Mo'unga; Wilson cited last August's 62-year drought-breaking victory at Ellis Park, asking 'why not' Eden Park.
- Wallabies openside flanker Fraser McReight stressed 'Belief is strong, but belief won't just cut it' earlier this week, while coach Les Kiss told reporters 'It isn't front and centre for us,' emphasizing execution over historical narratives as captain Wilson declared 'We want to walk the walk and be able to deliver.'
- Former Wallaby Nathan Charles, recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease, visited the squad before Friday's captain's run at Eden Park; the 37-year-old who defied cystic fibrosis to play professional contact sport inspired the team as Wilson reflected 'His glass is so half full. It's terrible what's happened to him, but he's a happy man.
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Wallabies expect fast-paced All Blacks in Bledisloe opener
The match in Auckland on Saturday will be Rennie's first coaching against his former team since being abruptly shown the door by Australian Rugby in 2023, to make way for Eddie Jones' return as head coach. Wilson is one of six players in this week's starting side who made their Wallabies debut during New Zealander Rennie's three-year reign. He said the visitors are familiar with the Rennie coaching template and will need to adapt to a faster sty…
The Wallabies haven't beaten New Zealanders since 2020 and haven't won in Eden Park since 1986, where the hosts haven't lost since 1994.It seems impossible, but Les Kiss's team has some cards to play L'articolo Bledisloe Cup: Australia can break the curse and beat the All Blacks? sembra essere il primo su On Rugby.
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