Wallabies focus on next week after All Blacks triumph

SYDNEY: Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said Australia were firmly focused on winning back the Bledisloe Cup for the first time in more than a decade after beating the All Blacks in Sydney.

The 27-19 win at ANZ Stadium on Saturday, which enabled Australia to clinch the Rugby Championship, was the first Wallabies triumph over New Zealand since 2011.

Cheika said he was proud of the team’s efforts but was aware of the tough game ahead at Eden Park in Auckland next weekend, which could see Australia win back the Bledisloe Cup they last held in 2002.

The most recent Wallabies win at Eden Park against the All Blacks was back in 1986 and they have lost 15 Tests there since.

“I don’t want to be a sad sack, but you take a moment to congratulate your players, and enjoy that game and then you start thinking about the next game and what I have to do to be ready,” Cheika told reporters late Saturday.

“The reality is that we’ve only won one game against New Zealand in a long time and me more than anyone knows that stands for a little bit.

“Consistency is key and we have to go out there and prepare each day to be competitive again with the number one team in the world on their own patch. That’s our target.”

Cheika said he was happy with the performance of Brumbies scrum-half Nic White, who was the unlikely hero Saturday after scoring a try and kicking a longrange penalty goal along with a conversion in the final minutes.

“He put his hand up to take a long-range penalty, he had good distribution, good service and also scored a try,” Cheika said.

“And that’s what I want, I want guys to put their hands up and say ‘I want to be part of this’. That’ll help the competition for places in the scrum.”

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said his team had been stung and were looking to bounce back at Eden Park.

“I know the boys are hurting and if that’s going to bring the best out of them, then next week will,” McCaw said.

“Just because you play there (Eden Park), doesn’t mean it’s going to happen automatically.”

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said he was looking forward to the August 15 clash after the defeat.

“We just got beaten by a better side on the night. We have to face up to that reality. It’s an inconvenient fact,” Hansen said.

“But we’ve been here before, we’ve lost games before and doesn’t mean to say we’ve become a bad side.” - AFP