Former All Black captain Stu Wilson is adamant that the Wallabies can pose a question to the All Blacks when they meet at Eden Park on Saturday night, however admitted that they’ll have to be at their best to do so.
Speaking to Radio Live on Tuesday morning, Wilson said that whilst the All Blacks were by far and away the better team, there was always the possibility that things might not follow the script when it came to the Wallabies.
"There’s always an edge when we play those horrible Wallabies," Wilson said.
"The thought and the prospect of getting 18 wins [on the trot] and being the first tier one rugby nation in the world to achieve that record will be in the back of their minds, along with the thought that ‘oh dear it’s our Wallaby cousins’".
It certainly wouldn’t be the first time that the Wallabies stopped the All Blacks’ record dead in their tracks. And Wilson cited that the Wallabies have managed to stop the All Blacks winning perfect seasons, three times in the last six years.
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"They’ve been party poopers before."
The first time was in Hong Kong in 2010 when James O’Connor scored in the corner and kicked the corresponding conversion for the win which kept the All Blacks at 15 wins on the trot.
The second was at 16 victories in 2012 after the draw in Brisbane and the third was at 17 victories in 2014 when both sides drew in a tough encounter in Sydney.
Wilson said that while Australia could challenge the All Blacks to make it 18 consecutive victories on Saturday night, if the home team brought anything near the best rugby they can produce, it wouldn’t be much of a competition.
"No it doesn’t really matter what Australia brings. They’re a better side since we faced them last time after winning a couple of games against Argentina and the Springboks...
"But the All Blacks last loss at Eden Park was 22 years ago, and it’s been 30 years since Australia last won at Eden Park. They’re on a hiding to nothing."
When it came who Wilson was particularly impressed by during the Rugby Championship, he singled out the newest member of the All Blacks back line, Anton Lienert Brown.
"He’s is only 21; he’s just a young boy. He’s taken his opportunities brilliantly. He’s looked really comfortable either at inside or outside centre. That’s the beauty of him; he can play anywhere in the centres."
But Wilson also suggested that he continue to work on his game now that he’s arrived at the top.
"The thing is with a newby, the opposition tend to look at him and suddenly the space and time gets cut down a little bit. The tricks he brings can sometimes dry up.
"As long as he’s aware that he needs to keep improving and doesn’t slip back into a bit of complacency.
"He’s a wonderful talent bearing in mind he wasn’t even on the scene at the beginning of this year. And through injuries and a bit of luck, he’s now probably going to start this Saturday at Eden Park."
Newshub.
