Wallabies intent on not wasting another opportunity to beat New Zealand

The Wallabies will need a better start as well as a more clinical performance if they are to beat New Zealand on Saturday.

Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson is dejected after his side’s narrow loss to New Zealand. Picture: Saeed Khan / AFP

The Wallabies are adamant they have learnt from their “passive” start and blown opportunities in last week’s narrow loss to the All Blacks and don’t want similar regrets following Saturday’s return Bledisloe Cup bout in Wellington.

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson said his team was shattered immediately after last Saturday’s 31-28 loss in Sydney, knowing that a rare and genuine chance to beat New Zealand had been spurned.

“We were quite gutted in the sheds,” Wilson said on Friday.

“We really thought we let a few opportunities slip. You don’t get too many opportunities against the All Blacks, and you’ve really got to take your opportunities when you get them.

“You don’t want to be sitting in the sheds (again) like last week feeling gutted. You want to be in there having a beer feeling nice and happy.”

Harry Wilson is becoming more confident in his role as Wallabies captain. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Wilson said a better start was essential for Australia this weekend after the All Blacks stormed to a 21-0 lead last Saturday.

“We took a lot of confidence from the second half of our last game and we really want to build on that … (but) we’ve got to start better,” the No.8 said.

“We can’t be giving a 21-0 lead against New Zealand, especially in New Zealand.

“In our last game we were quite passive early. We let New Zealand run on top of us. We’ve got to show some improvement there, which really is trying to win the physicality and contact.

“If we can bring a bit more line speed it will probably help, but for us, we’ve got to win the one-on-one battles and the contact.

“You know your work’s going to be cut out, especially over here. That’s what really excites you as a footballer.”

Wilson will captain the Wallabies for a fourth successive Test and believes he’s growing into the role.

“The more time I’ve spent in the role, the more comfortable I’ve felt in it,” he said.

“It did come as a surprise in the first place, and from then I’ve built a little built of confidence with it, but … I’ve had such good leaders around me, that my job hasn’t changed too much.

“James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa and Nic White, how much they’ve been helping me has been awesome.

“They’re really my mentors, and I lean on them, and there’s a few past Wallabies who are always just a call away if I need anymore help.

“I feel quite privileged to be in this position, and I know there are a lot of people who really care for me and are helping me in this position.”

The All Blacks are chasing their first win in Wellington since 2018.

New Zealand coach Scott Robertson said it was a record his side was “not proud of”.

“It’s something we’ve addressed, (and) something we are aware of,” Robertson said.

“Our main focus this week is a good performance and something the crowd, and New Zealanders, can be proud of.”