Wallabies captain Harry Wilson expects the All Blacks to unleash a high-speed attacking game under Dave Rennie when the teams meet in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland on Saturday.
Rennie will face Australia for the first time since being sacked as Wallabies coach in 2023, when Australian Rugby brought back Eddie Jones to take charge.
Six players in the Wallabies’ starting XV made their Test debuts under Rennie, including Wilson, who said Australia know what to expect from their former coach.
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The Wallabies stunned the Springboks 42-38 in Perth last month, but Wilson expects a different challenge against an All Blacks side that prefers to move the ball and build long phases.
“With South Africa we know it’s a lot of set-piece high balls, and they don’t play as much footy as New Zealand,” Wilson said.
“Whereas I guess this week we know there’s probably going to be a lot of long phases and the ball going side to side, and we’ve prepared for that.”
Wilson says he’ll always remain grateful to Rennie for the opportunity he received.
“Dave gave me my Test debut and played a few Tests under him and I’ll always be really appreciative of that and his love of counter-attack and using the ball,” he said.
“He was a very loved member of the Wallabies, and it’s going to be different going up against him, that’s for sure.”
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The All Blacks will be looking to respond after losing their recent series against the Springboks 3-1, but return to Eden Park with an imposing record against Australia.
New Zealand have not lost to the Wallabies at the Auckland venue in 40 years, while their last defeat there against any opponent came in 1994.
Wilson believes Australia are better equipped than they were for last year’s 33-24 defeat at Eden Park, with the team also making progress under new coach Les Kiss.
He pointed to their win over the Boks as evidence of their growing resilience, particularly their desperate defence in the closing stages when they were down to 11 players.
“I think we learnt a lot in that game and especially that last 10-12 minutes,” Wilson said. “The care the boys showed to really make South Africa fight for every single try was something I was really proud of, and it’s given us a lot of confidence. We’re a team who’s hungry and just wants to be better, and it’s a great opportunity for us tomorrow night.”
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post Wilson expects All Blacks to turn on the pace appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson expects the All Blacks to unleash a high-speed attacking game under Dave Rennie when the teams meet in the first Bledisloe Cup Test in Auckland on Saturday.
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