Wallabies star fires Bledisloe Cup warning shot to All Blacks
Wallabies halfback Nic White has issued a warning to the All Blacks a week out from their opening Bledisloe Cup clash of the year at Eden Park next Saturday.
The Wallabies arrived in Auckland ahead of the fixture on Friday, and White says there’s a different feel within the Australian camp following their series triumph over France earlier this month.
In defeating France, the Wallabies, featuring numerous youthful or inexperienced players, clinched their first series win on home soil since they toppled Les Bleus in 2014.
White, who sat out the series due to a knee injury, said that experience has been crucial for the squad’s confidence and experience, which he believes has put his side in good stead ahead of the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series.
“It was tough. A couple close games. I’m not sure how guys do it, especially coaches,” White said of watching the series victory from the sidelines.
“Heat-in-mouth stuff there, but, like I said, coming off the back of a good series win, great confidence, guys getting a lot of game time, experience, and that’s going to be valuable going over to New Zealand.
“We’re going to the cauldron of Eden Park and it’s going to be a step-up again, so, like I said, it’s coming off some good experience there and it feels like this time’s a little bit different.”
Compare Australia’s lead-up to this year’s Bledisloe Cup series to last year, and it’s understandable to see why White and his Wallabies teammates appear more confident.
With COVID-19 ravaging the international rugby landscape, Australia’s first four tests of the year were against the All Blacks.
Although they managed a draw and a tough win – albeit against an undermanned All Blacks side – in the first and last games of that four-match stretch, Dave Rennie’s men were well-beaten in the middle two matches as their Bledisloe Cup drought extended.
However, with the French series victory now under their belt, White believes the Wallabies are in a better position than they were a year ago to win their first Bledisloe Cup series since 2002.
“That French team is a bloody good team, and that last game especially, going a man down, it’s a lot of pressure there to win a series on home soil,” he said.
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“Guys, I thought, showed a lot of ticker there, and I think it’s only going to hold us in good stead. Sometimes we get the ABs first game of the test season, it was good to have someone else to warm into these games.
“As I said, we’re going to be in a place to come over here and give it a good shake.”
Whether White will be available for the first test next week remains to be seen, although he has recovered enough to return to training.
“I’m still kind of rehab running at the moment, but I’m hoping to get over in New Zealand now with a fair bit of time up my sleeve and should be able to train with the team.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments