Wallabies wary for All Blacks backlash
SPOTLIGHT: Australia are bracing themselves for a fired-up All Blacks side following their winless tour of South Africa to target them in Sydney.
Despite being on the same Rugby Championship win-loss record as the All Blacks – Australia fullback Tom Wright doesn’t feel that can take their Kiwi foes lightly.
Both teams only have one win in the Rugby Championship, having suffered three losses in the process with Australia splitting results in Argentina and New Zealand losing both Tests against the Springboks.
The Rugby Championship clash at Stadium Australia doubles as a Bledisloe Cup fixture, with the Wallabies last claiming the trophy back in 2002, with the final Test taking place in Wellington on September 28.
“They just came up against the guys who won the World Cup so I don’t know if weakened is a fair assessment of where they’re at,” said Wright, when asked if New Zealand had lost their aura.
“I still look at them the same way, they’re one of the top two nations in the world.
“Any time you lose, you go back-to-back [losses], as we faced a couple of weeks ago [against South Africa], you certainly have your tail up and you’re keen to rip in.
“They were a whisker away in both games that they lost … we’re expecting them to be up for it for sure.”
Wright missed out with an ankle injury for Australia’s second-half implosion against the Pumas, which resulted in a record 67-27 scoreline.
Wright states that the Wallabies want to make amends for their capitulation in Santa Fe.
“No-one hurts more than the playing group and the staff … we know that the 40 minutes [second half against the Pumas] was really disappointing and we’re focused on making amends,” said the Brumbies custodian.
The Wallabies will be boosted with the return of star loose forward Fraser McReight who underwent a successful hand surgery – revealing that he played three Tests with a fractured hand.
“I thought it was hopefully ligament [damage] and then went for scans that showed it was broken, saw a specialist and then got the advice to get [the surgery] done,” McReight said.
The Reds star feels that it’s not all doom and gloom in the two-match-series the Wallabies played against the Pumas.
“We played three great halves and had that one slip up so you can’t really focus on that,” the 25-year-old said.
“I’m sure there’s lessons to be learnt but Argentina’s a tough place so we’ve had a week off with family and friends and we’re rejuvenated.
“There’s that buzz of playing the All Blacks so there’s not going to be a worry about the team not getting up for it.”
McReight rates the All Blacks loose trio as one of the best in the world and is looking forward to challenging himself against them.
“They’ve got a fair few players there that have been around a while like Sam Cane, closing in on 100 Tests as well as Ardie [Savea] and others. They’ve very dynamic and powerful.
“They’re a great back row so I’m sure it’s going to be a great challenge in the next two games.”
