Hansen: Brisbane boosts Wallabies
All Black coach Steve Hansen says they face a tough test in Brisbane on Saturday as the Wallabies are a ‘dangerous animal’ at Suncorp Stadium.
Hansen said Australia’s stellar record at the venue coupled with his team’s 16-match unbeaten run will ensure that no intensity is lost in what is essentially a dead rubber in the three-Test Bledisloe Cup series.
"It is a Test match against Australia and, along with South Africa, they rank as our main rival and there's a heck of a lot on it because of that,” said Hansen.
"We've managed to beat them twice but last time we played them at Suncorp they beat us.
“They've got a record of 17 from 20 at Suncorp so that makes them a dangerous animal.
"They've been doing a lot of talking about what they are and what they are not going to do which I find interesting."
Hansen dismissed rumours that he may miss the Test following the passing of his father, Des, on Tuesday, saying his presence at Suncorp Stadium on match day was never in doubt.
"You'd be lying if you didn't say it has been a really tough week, but we're a tight family and the rugby family has been great. The distraction of going to training Monday, Tuesday and today has been awesome.
"I know [Des] would kick my backside if I didn't do the job right. I was always going to Brisbane – he would roll over and shoot me if I didn't."
Hansen said the Wallabies will be as strong as ever despite a spate of injuries and off-field drama.
"We know they have had hardships and had quite a few injuries, but they have got one or two back and they've got probably the biggest forward pack they've ever put on the park starting on Saturday.
"So we know it will be physical and we know they'll be in the game for long periods. We have to manage that and make sure when we get opportunities we take them."
He added that it was an easy decision to make minimal alterations to the team following their 32-16 win over the Springboks in Soweto.
"We've got the team ticking along nicely and clearly we were always going to make a change at hooker [for Keven Mealamu's 100th Test]. Charlie [Faumuina] has gone well off the bench and we wanted to see him start."
