Robbie Deans sets sights on Wallabies first win over All Blacks at Eden Park in 25 years
New Zealand born Wallabies head coach, Robbie Deans, has expressed his desire to register his side’s first win over the All Blacks at Eden Park in the last 25 years. New Zealand will host the Wallabies in their second encounter of the 2011 Tri Nations tournament
at Eden Park, Auckland on August 6.
Deans expressed his confidence that following the players’ impressive performance and their recent form in the 2011 Super Rugby season puts them in the right set of mind for the crucial game against the All Blacks on their home turf.
Deans said, “'It's a key game for us now, we haven't had a lot of success at Eden Park, but now [we] have a great opportunity to really target that game, and make the most of it.”
Wallabies last defeated the All Blacks in the 1986 Bledisloe Cup encounter. Deans has already helped the Wallabies end their 10-game losing streak against the All Blacks, in their last international encounter in Hong Kong, on November 2010.
Following Saturday’s match against the Springboks, Wallabies will now attended a 10 day training camp before they depart for New Zealand. Deans said, “It's great we have a week to regroup, so that we can really focus on this match.” Deans added that the
team is confident and motivated to better their record at Eden Park. Wallabies have won just four of the 22 games they have played at Eden Park in Auckland.
Deans added that Saturday’s 19-point margin victory over the Springboks will play its part in their upcoming challenge. He has expressed his delight at the side’s performance at the scrums and breakdowns.
Deans said, “We were more effective in the collisions and, as a result of that, were able to get into the game ourselves,'' he said. ''We also denied South Africa that ability, because the boys defended well and took a lot of pressure.”
Wallabies' young international utility back, James O’Connor, has termed the August 6 match against the All Blacks as a special game. He said, “It's going to be an awesome: Eden Park, where the World Cup's going to be played, so looking forward to it. The
All Blacks are still setting the benchmarks in Test rugby, so it's going to be a special game.”
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