Wallabies opt for brawn over brains against All Blacks
Star Wallaby wing Marika Koroibete has called on his team to bring the “brutality” in an attempt to continue the All Blacks’ downward spiral.
New Zealand has lost their air of invincibility over the past year, with the All Blacks at one point slipping to fifth in world rankings after losing five matches in six.
Argentina, Ireland, France, and South Africa have tasted victory in the past year against the All Blacks, who are currently ranked fourth.
Ireland in particular has crushed New Zealand’s fearsome reputation, winning three of their past four contests.
The Wallabies have the chance to join in on the act when they host the All Blacks in Thursday’s Bledisloe Cup opener in Melbourne.
“It’s just more brutality,” Koroibete said when asked about the key to beating New Zealand.
“Just contest on the ruck. Everyone across the park needs to bring that physicality, dominate the tackle and test their ruck.
“Just bring aggression on Thursday. That’s what they don’t want. That’s what the South Africans and Argentineans did to them when they won. That’s what we need to bring.”
The All Blacks regained some of their aura earlier this month when they crushed Argentina 53-3 in Hamilton.
It came just a week after New Zealand had suffered a shock 25-18 loss to Los Pumas in Christchurch.
The Wallabies have also been inconsistent during the current Rugby Championship – with all four teams holding 2-2 records.
Australia split their series against South Africa and Argentina, but are licking their wounds following a 24-8 loss to the Springboks in Sydney a week ago.
Kurtley Beale has been added to the Wallabies’ squad and has a chance to play against the All Blacks on Thursday.
The match will mark Koroibete’s 50th Test for the Wallabies.
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Koroibete played for West Tigers and Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League, as well as featuring in Fiji’s Rugby League side.
But his switch to Rugby Union has proved a huge success, with the 30-year-old now considered one of the best players in the world.
Koroibete’s crunching try-saving tackle on South Africa’s Makazole Mapimpi two weeks ago is set to be replayed for years and even decades to come.
The powerful wing paid tribute to the various coaches who had given him a licence to roam on the field.
“It took me a couple of years to learn the game and to make the transition,” he said.
“I’ve just been learning from different coaches.
“Learning from some of the players as well around me, how they play the game in the same position as well. They help me develop as a player.”
