Scott Robertson talks Wallabies threat ahead of Eden Park Test

Every Test as the All Blacks coach has pressure on it, but after a record loss at the hands of the Springboks two weeks ago in Wellington, you get the feeling this Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies is a crucial one.

Not only do the All Blacks need a win to keep their Rugby Championship hopes alive, a loss would end a 31-year long unbeaten run at Eden Park.

The All Blacks currently sit third on the 2025 Rugby Championship ladder, tied on points with second-placed Springboks, and one point behind the leaders, the Wallabies.

Speaking to media on Monday afternoon ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup Test of 2025, All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson says his team will need to use the second half against the Springboks as motivation.

“Yeah, look, it’s stung. You know, it was really clear, we discussed and reviewed and been honest as we possibly can, you want to be using that as fuel,” Robertson said.

“Those moments, to fill your disciplines and yeah, and your love for the game and your performance. So we’ll use it.”

When asked about the possible threat the Wallabies will bring, Robertson explains that they’re really clear about the game plan and their strengths.

“Yeah the Wallabies are persistent, they’ve got a really clear brand, their DNA. They know how they’re going to play and they stay in the game for the whole match, they’ve got a great balanced squad and well coached.”

The All Blacks have struggled to find consistency at the scrum and lineout in recent weeks, something that Robertson says are to do with little moments.

“There’s a little bit of technical stuff around the scrum, but also making sure we get that combination and get the power back, you know, obviously, scrums are like that.

“It’s not a big swing, It’s obviously little detailed things that you need to get right. Couple of props are a little bit more match fit now, scrum fit as well, which is huge for us.

“We know we’ve got a really good scrum, and obviously the mess with the line out as well. The combination of the two, getting those right in their pressure moments.”

Despite playing some good rugby in the Rugby Championship so far, Robertson admits that the focus is on combining those moments into points, and scoreboard pressure.

Rugby Championship

P

W

L

D

PF

PA

PD

BP T

BP-7

BP

Total

1

Australia

4

2

2

0

11

2

South Africa

4

2

2

0

10

3

New Zealand

4

2

2

0

10

4

Argentina

4

2

2

0

9

“Well, the ultimate sporting team has to be consistent, and that’s what you look for. We played some great rugby in the majority of the games, but not enough and how can we win those little key moments?

“So that’s where your focus goes to and as I said before, you don’t want to be stung to use that as fuel again, and that’s obviously what we need to do.

“You know, we’ve got a balanced team, and over the last 18 months, a lot of guys that have come in and learning test footy, trying to build combinations, and when you’re under pressure, perform, so it’s a balancing act, and that’s what we gotta get right.”