All Blacks prepare for attacking onslaught

Wayne Smith. Photo / Getty Images

SYDNEY - Nine in a row and counting? All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith is taking nothing for granted ahead of Saturday's meeting with the Wallabies.

The unbeaten run since Brisbane 2008, meant more rather than less work to keep it going, Smith said, adding that he had never felt at ease meeting the Wallabies.

This week the All Blacks would generate momentum with self-appraisal of their own standards, while the Wallabies would be buoyed after the win against the Springboks in Bloemfontein.

"We have a great spirit, strong leadership and we have had a couple of weeks to refreshen," said Smith.

"So expectations are we will go out to give our heart and soul which should be pretty intense."

The All Blacks had their game plan and needed to do more work on defensive strategies to prepare for the novel attacking onslaught from Quade Cooper and co.

In the first part of this year, the All Blacks responded to widespread uncertainty and critiques. Now they had to keep the heat on themselves.

"We just expect every player will have gone through that process internally and will be totally determined to do well again in the jersey," Smith added.

"So the number of wins we have had is irrelevant to us."

That number stands at 14 since their defeat against the Springboks in Hamilton last season. The sequence should have been stopped in Soweto but the Boks lost a late lead, then a draw as the All Blacks stormed home.

The Wallabies performed a similar escape last week, their attack was growing with the Will Genia-Cooper attacking alliance and others were also blossoming.

"They have got a pattern they seem to becoming used to and they provide threats right across the track," Smith observed.

"You can't win at altitude against a desperate Boks team without having grown yourself and I think that will make a difference to them."

The All Blacks will have new five-eighths Aaron Cruden running the backline but his strength, accrued during his fight to beat testicular cancer, gave the team confidence.

Cruden is small but used to the demands he will face on defence.

As an assistant and then coach of the All Blacks from 1998-2001, Smith had one victory and three defeats in Sydney with the last before his exit. He returned three years later in an unbroken coaching group with Henry and Hansen.

Smith always felt the All Blacks could win anywhere and they had to have that attitude if they were going to win tournaments.

"It is a green rectangle, same rules, same shaped ball and we never talk about playing in Aussie or South Africa. It is just playing the game for the All Blacks and doing the best we can," he said.

"We have got an away record of 60 per cent in the Tri-Nations so I think the approach has been successful.

Cruden was composed. "It is a defining moment for him to run a team, he is in charge, players like him and he is tough."

All Blacks XV:
15. Mils Muliaina, 14. Cory Jane, 13. Conrad Smith, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 11. Israel Dagg, 10. Aaron Cruden, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Kieran Read, 7. Richie McCaw (capt) , 6. Victor Vito, 5. Tom Donnelly, 4. Brad Thorn, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Keven Mealamu, 1. Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan, Colin Slade, Rene Ranger.


* Injured Australian left wing Drew Mitchell is likely to be the only casualty from last week's playing XV with Lachie Turner primed to take the place of his injured colleague when the teams are named today.

The other alteration will be in the reserves where hooker Saia Faingaa is serving a two-week ban for a dangerous tackle and his place will go to Huia Edmonds.