Wallabies play pressure card
The Wallabies have cunningly claimed that the All Blacks’ Bledisloe Cup dominance in recent times could be their undoing this season.
The world champions have held the famous big cup since 2003 and boast a record of 21 wins and just six defeats against their trans-Tasman rivals in the last nine years.
Their current reign is the second-longest in Bledisloe Cup history behind only the 28-year reign of their predecessors (from 1951 to 1978).
New Zealand will thus be favourites to retain the Cup, and win the newly unveiled Rugby Championship trophy, but according to Wallaby hooker Saia Faingaa, the pressure that comes with such weighty expectations could trip up the All Blacks.
"They've got more pressure than us," he said. "They have to retain it. We haven't won it in a decade."
While the All Blacks will pay little attention to Faingaa’s claim, they can’t ignore the fact that two of the three Bledisloe Cup matches will be played on Australian soil, which more than any attempted mind game, will hamper the All Blacks’ chances of retaining the silverware.
Saia’s twin brother Anthony is one of the leading contenders to fill the inside centre berth and oppose either Sonny Bill Williams or Ma'a Nonu in the injury-enforced absence of Pat McCabe.
He said the race for the number 12 jersey will make for healthy competition within the squad.
"Obviously it's disappointing for Patty (McCabe being injured), but at the same time it's a great opportunity for the backs to step up and take ownership of that centre partnership," he said.
"No-one's really got a lockdown on their position at the moment, so for us it's a great opportunity.
"That's going to create a great culture and attitude. It creates a healthy challenge and always keeps you on your toes, and that's something that drives high standards."
