Wallabies vow to improve on last week's errors in second Bledisloe Cup Test in Dunedin

  • 25/08/2017

Captain Michael Hooper is confident the Wallabies have learnt from last week's mistakes which saw them get thumped 54-34 in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney.

The All Blacks ran in eight tries, to post their highest-ever total against Australia.

There will be extra pressure on the two-time World Cup winners as a loss in Dunedin will ensure the Bledisloe Cup stays in New Zealand for the 15th straight year.

Hooper said that the coaching staff have outlined exactly what went wrong in Sydney, and he is confident the team can test the home-side if they stick to the game plan.

"The coaches have given us a really strong plan around where we went wrong and how it went wrong in the game," said Hooper.

"They gave us a really clear and smooth plan that we have to come out and do against these guys because we know that they will be putting up another good performance.

"They will also be disappointed with the second half of the game and we stick to our things and complete them this time."

Meanwhile, Hooper is backing rookie lock, Izack Rodda, to make his mark off the bench on Saturday night. 

Izack Rodda.
Izack Rodda. Photo credit: Getty Images

The 21-year-old replaces Adam Coleman who was forced to withdraw due to a shoulder injury.

Hooper admitted it was a "huge blow" for the Wallabies to lose Coleman, but he said he can't wait to see how Rodda matches-up against the best in the world.

"You're never ready," Hooper told reporters.   

"You're in the best possible position you can be in and you've just got to get out there and do what you do.   

"I've been really impressed with Rodds throughout the year. He's just got to get in the jersey and do his thing.

"He was walking around in Reds gear and Cheika had him come in and do a bit of training with the guys.

"He ripped in straight away and it goes back to that question of being ready.

"It's about taking your opportunity and Rodds in the wrong gear that day was taking his opportunity and putting us through our paces and that's what you want from a guy like him."   

The last time the Wallabies won a Test against the All Blacks in New Zealand was in 2001, also in Dunedin.

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