Wallabies look to insider knowledge for Eden Park clash
SPOTLIGHT: With Kiwis dominating their coaching contingent, the Wallabies are hoping some additional All Black insight can help them finally crack a historic win at Eden Park to keep alive their pursuit of the Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship title.
The Australians haven’t won at the Auckland graveyard since 1986, but likely won’t have a better chance than on Saturday with the All Blacks in faltering form.
The Wallabies camp has confirmed giant lock Will Skelton will return from French rugby for the second Test in Perth, but the Australians need a first-up victory to keep alive their dream of reclaiming the trans-Tasman trophy, which New Zealand have held since 2003.
Wallaby head coach Joe Schmidt has recruited another Kiwi in former All Black lock Tom Donnelly as the forwards coach in their five-man team, while Australia’s current scrum guru Mike Cron held that role with New Zealand from 2004 to 2019.
Donnelly, who replaced Leicester-bound Brit Geoff Parling, said he already felt settled behind “enemy lines”.
“I suppose when you’re in professional sports, whatever team you’re involved with, you get emotionally invested in it pretty quickly,” Donnelly said from the Wallabies base in Auckland on Tuesday.
“I’m just trying to do a really good job here with the Wallabies and really enjoying it.
“It’s no real different to any other game for me, preparing to beat an opposition.
“Nothing changed, I just go about my work and make sure that we prepare these boys as best we can so we turn up on Saturday and give a performance that we’re really proud of.”
Donnelly lined up for the last of his 15 Tests in 2010 while he played in nearly 100 Super Rugby matches between 2004 and 2014 for the Highlanders, Crusaders and Blues.
He said he would do what he could to help the Wallabies.
“It’s a long time since I was involved with the All Blacks, so my memory’s not that great, but I can certainly add my little bit of two cents here and there where I see fit,” the 43-year-old said.
“Possibly, there’s certain areas that we can give advice on or encourage, but ultimately Eden Park’s a field with four lines and a couple of goalposts.”
While it could be too late for the Wallabies in terms of their Bledisloe ambitions, Donnelly said Skelton would be a welcome addition as they look to win their first Rugby Championship title since 2015.
With two rounds to play, the Wallabies lead on 11 points, ahead of South Africa and New Zealand (10 each) and Argentina (9).
“He’s a massive leader within our squad, so his ability to connect and encourage and work with our guys and make sure we’re all working together is massive for the group.
“Secondly, he’s a huge human, so it makes it a little bit easier for him to dominate collisions, which is pretty handy when you’re trying to win games of football.”
Set to play in his first Bledisloe Cup match, 21-year-old wing Max Jorgensen said Australia expected a fired-up All Blacks after their historic 10-43 loss to South Africa last round.
“Coming off the back of that pretty bad loss … they’ll come out firing,” Jorgensen said.
“It’s always been a massive rivalry. I always dreamt of playing in the Bledisloe Cup, and if given the chance, it would be awesome.”
