Wallabies focus on belief ahead of MCG clash with All Blacks

Coach Eddie Jones swung the axe after two straight losses but there’s still belief in the Wallabies camp they can topple the All Blacks at the MCG.

Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou at training in Melbourne today.PIC: Julius Dimataga/RugbyAU Media.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has employed a “big shift” in the mindset of his new-look squad ahead of an MCG showdown with the All Blacks after a stuttering start to his second stint as coach.

Jones showed a willingness to move away from what didn’t work in opening losses to South Africa and Argentina making a host of changes including the recall of star prop Taniela Tupou, who has recovered from Achilles surgery, and potential fullback replacement Andrew Kellaway after a hamstring injury.

Tupou, who played over 40 minutes for Australia A against Tonga on July , has overcome an illness he suffered after that match and trained fully on Monday with an expectation he will be in Jones’ team for the first clash with the Kiwis at the MCG since 2007.

Co-Captain Michael Hooper remains doubtful however with medical staff being cautious with his calf injury.

Kellaway, who last week returned to the main squad after a hamstring injury, looms as a fullback replacement for Tom Wright who was axed after games against the Springboks and Argentina, and not even included in the 34-man squad.

Wright’s dumping came despite Kellaway saying the No.15 “didn’t do much wrong” and served as a reminder that in a World Cup year, and under Jones’ direction, the Wallabies was a perform-or-perish environment.

“That much has been true forever, and certainly as long as I have been involved,” Kellaway said after training on Monday.

Wallabies back Andrew Kellaway Tupou at training in Melbourne today.PIC: Julius Dimataga/RugbyAU Media.

“We’re blessed with depth in the outside backs. If you don’t take your opportunity you leave yourself up for those things you can’t control.

“I’m confident that I bring something that’s different to Wrighty brings.

“It’s not really about comparing the two of us, it’s about being realty clear what I can bring and bringing that in spades.”

Kellaway conceded the thought and prospect of World Cup selection, given Jones use of the axe so far in his short tenure, could cloud some player’s thoughts.

But he dismissed as it as performance inhibitor.

“That’s something individual. Some guys have great narrow focus, some guys get worried about that sort of stuff,” Kellaway said.

“We’ve always known that, if you don’t perform you’re out.

“Seeing a guy of Wrighty‘s class leave the group is only sort of reaffirmation of that fact, so I don’t think there’s anything new there, that’s something that’s always been true... all of us, and everyone in their own way, is so focused on what they’ve got to do come Saturday night.

Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou at training in Melbourne today.PIC: Julius Dimataga/RugbyAU Media.

“I am sure everyone has the World Cup in the back of their mind, and I think that’s a good thing, it’s important, it’s a big milestone, But Friday there’s no room for that.”

The Wallabies were smashed by South Africa in Pretoria then undone by their own ill-discipline in the narrow loss to Argentina in Sydney.

Kellaway said while there were several elements of the game style Jones and his coaching staff had focused on for improvement, he’d also worked to nail the mindset of the players, to believe in their progression and their ability to topple the All Blacks.

“We’ve needed to have a big shift,” he said.

“Eddie has been working really hard to change our perception around a couple of things, the way we see the game, the way we play the game,

“But the most important stat at the end of the day is the scoreline so we’ll work on tweaking that.”

Originally published as Wallabies focus on belief ahead of MCG clash with All Blacks