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August 17, 2013

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All Blacks set to lock horns with Wallabies

Ewen McKenzie will make his debut as Australia’s coach today with a team he promises will be more attack-oriented than the one guided by predecessor Robbie Deans.

The Rugby Championship opener doubles as a Bledisloe Cup match against world champion New Zealand, which has held the venerable trans-Tasman trophy since 2003.

“We’re certainly not going to deny the players the opportunity to have a go,” McKenzie said. “... If they can create an opportunity, then go for it.”

There’s also been some pre-match entertainment, with McKenzie and his All Blacks counterpart Steve Hansen disagreeing about which coach was feeling more pressure heading into the opener.

“Australia haven’t had a great run against us for a while,” Hansen said.

McKenzie said Hansen may be feeling some stress.

“When you coach the All Blacks, there’s a lot of pressure,” McKenzie said. “When the All Blacks lose... it’s attached to the national economy. The dollar might go up and down.”


 

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