Wallabies careful not to give New Zealand any added motivation ahead of return Bledisloe Cup battle

The Wallabies intend to keep ‘sharpening the axe’ in their bid to beat New Zealand in Wellington.

Wallabies lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto insists New Zealand remains a “world-class outfit” in rejecting suggestions the All Blacks are vulnerable heading into Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup battle in Wellington.

The Kiwis beat Australia 31-28 in Sydney last Saturday. However, not for the first time in this year’s Rugby Championship, New Zealand faded after a strong start.

The All Blacks led 21-0 at one stage in the first-half, and 31-14 midway through the second half before the Wallabies stormed home to fall just short of securing an upset win.

It was Australia’s fourth defeat in five Rugby Championship matches this year, but New Zealand has only won two of its five games to be sitting eight points adrift of leaders South Africa.

In response to their disappointing campaign, the All Blacks have enlisted the services of New Zealand rugby legend Wayne Smith to help coach Scott Robertson ahead of this weekend’s trans-Tasman clash.

The All Blacks are also desperate to overcome a poor record in Wellington, where they have won just one of their past seven matches.

On the back of a strong second-half performance last Saturday, the Wallabies will take some confidence into this weekend’s battle.

Tuesday trot âš¡#Wallabiespic.twitter.com/Ogi793vxn1

— Wallabies (@wallabies) September 24, 2024

However, when asked if the All Blacks were “as beatable as they’ve ever been”, Salakaia-Loto did not fall into the trap of giving New Zealand any extra incentive to claim another win over Australia.

“People have been talking about stuff like that and a lot about them, but the All Blacks in New Zealand, they’re a world-class outfit,” Salakaia-Loto said on Tuesday.

“We’ve got to be good enough on the day to win, and that’s on us.

“I don’t think it has anything to do with how the All Blacks are playing or what’s going on inside their camp.

“We know that come Saturday we’re going to have a tough match against the World Cup finalists from last year.

“There’s nothing around us thinking that they’re this or that. It’s a Bledisloe Cup game here in New Zealand, a game that everyone wants to be a part of.

“These rivalry matches are right up there in terms on intensity and how hard it is, so whoever performs on the day, the best team will win.”

To win, the Wallabies will need a better start.

“We definitely can’t be giving up 28 points in the first-half – that’s for sure,” Salakaia-Loto said.

“For us, starting well is the big thing, and then just keeping that pressure on, and making sure that we’re sticking to our game plan, and being good enough to capitalise on those opportunities that we get.

“We obviously weren’t happy with the result on the weekend and we want to get a result this weekend.

“We understand there’s a process to that, and we’ve got to take it day by day, and keep sharpening the axe.”