All Blacks heavy favourites but Wallabies coach comes out swinging

All Blacks player Dolton Papali’i and Wallabies player Rob Valetini have words during the Bledisloe Cup and 2022 Rugby Championship match at Eden Park.
Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.photosport.nz

The All Blacks are expected to lock away two trophies for another year on Saturday night, but the Wallabies coach Eddie Jones is adamant his side have more than a punchers chance at the MCG.

The test doubles as the Bledisloe Cup opener and their final Rugby Championship match.

The All Blacks have two wins from two so far in 2023, while the Wallabies have had a shaky start, hammered by the Springboks before being pipped by Argentina in their last outing in Sydney.

But that hasn’t stopped Jones from firing a broadside at the unbeaten All Blacks, telling the visitors they should “look out” ahead of Saturday’s test.

Eddie Jones.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Jones believes the All Blacks are taking a different approach to this year’s World Cup than they have in the past and he thinks that could play into the Wallabies hands.

“In a World Cup year they tend to have a measured build-up but it looks like they’re all guns firing at the moment.

“Our aim is to put them under pressure early in the game and see how they cope with pressure on them, because they haven’t had it as yet.”

And Jones doesn’t care his side have been all but written off by the bookies.

“We’re massive underdogs and that creates an opportunity for us.

“We know that if we can put pressure on a team that’s considered red hot favourites, then sometimes that pressure can turn into increased pressure on them and stress within their team and that’s our aim.”

The Wallabies captain Michael Hooper is also bullish about their chances, telling podcast The Good, The Bad and the Rugby, that Australia are “up for it”.

Michael Hooper.
Photo: Dan Peled / www.photosport.nz

“We know we need to improve, but in test match rugby it is little margins that make a big difference. We make some small adjustments, start putting more meat on the bone, then it’s going to get better and get better quick.

“The challenge for us is to maintain that belief and confidence and Eddie (Jones) is a pro at driving that belief.”

22-year-old first-five Carter Gordon is set to make his first Wallabies start and while the rookie playmaker will no doubt be targeted, Jones is doing his best to put the pressure back on the All Blacks.

“There’s nothing better than winning against New Zealand, because you can feel the country sinking. It’s not just rugby that sinks, the country sinks. The whole economy goes down. The Prime Minister’s there with his fingers crossed hoping the All Blacks win, because he knows the economy is going to drop if they lose.”

The All Blacks coach Ian Foster insists he’s focused on preparing his team rather than responding to barbs from his opposite.

“Well you might want to mention that to Hipkins (Prime Minister Chris Hipkins) and Luxon (National Party leader Christopher Luxon) and they can deal with that comment. I just want to deal with the game.”

Ian Foster.
Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Though Foster said enjoys coming up against Wallabies coach Jones.

“I love it. He is who he is and he prepares his team his way and we prepare our team our way.”

Foster will be without skipper Sam Cane for tomorrow’s test due to injury, with Ardie Savea taking over the captaincy and Dalton Papali’i coming in at openside flanker – the only change to the starting XV from the one that beat the Springboks two weeks ago.

The coach appears close to settling on his first choice team.

“It’s a reward for a group that made some good strides forward at Mt Smart (win over South Africa). We’re pretty keen to keep those combinations going but also we were able to put some change through the bench and look at some different ways we can impact our performance through that group.”

The All Blacks can defend their Rugby Championship title and retain the Bledisloe Cup with victory over the Wallabies at the MCG, where more than 80,000 people are expected to try and cheer the hosts home.