Wallabies focus on return NZ tie
Print Edition
WALLABIES coach Michael Cheika said Australia was firmly focused on winning back the Bledisloe Cup for the first time in more than a decade after beating the All Blacks in Sydney.
The 27-19 win at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, which enabled Australia to clinch the Rugby Championship, was the first Wallabies triumph over New Zealand since 2011.
Cheika said he was proud of the team’s efforts but was aware of the tough game ahead at Eden Park in Auckland this weekend, which could see Australia win back the Bledisloe Cup it last held in 2002.
The most recent Wallabies win at Eden Park against the Kiwis was back in 1986 and they have lost 15 tests there since.
“I don’t want to be a sad sack, but you take a moment to congratulate your players, and enjoy that game and then you start thinking about the next game and what I have to do to be ready,” Cheika told reporters late on Saturday.
“The reality is that we’ve only won one game against New Zealand in a long time and me more than anyone knows that stands for a little bit.
“Consistency is key and we have to go out there and prepare each day to be competitive again with the No. 1 team in the world on their own patch. That’s our target.”
Cheika said he was happy with the performance of Brumbies scrum-half Nic White, who was the unlikely hero on Saturday after scoring a try and kicking a long-range penalty goal along with a conversion in the final minutes. “He put his hand up to take a long-range penalty, he had good distribution, good service and also scored a try,” Cheika said.
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said his team had been stung and was looking to bounce back at Eden Park.
“I know the boys are hurting and if that’s going to bring the best out of them, then next week will,” McCaw said.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said he was looking forward to the August 15 clash after the defeat.
“We just got beaten by a better side on the night. We have to face up to that reality. It’s an inconvenient fact,” he said.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
