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SYDNEY - The trans-Tasman psychological warfare has stepped up a notch entering the final fortnight of the Tri-Nations rugby tournament.
It started with Wallabies first five-eighth Stephen Larkham, who said he was confident they had already inflicted some mental scars on the All Blacks in World Cup year
ahead of their return test in Auckland on July 21.
And former Wallabies coach Eddie Jones, who masterminded their semifinal upset of the All Blacks at the 2003 World Cup, chimed in by accusing coach Graham Henry's squad of being smug and complacent.
The All Blacks' 20-year World Cup drought is the favourite rugby topic of conversation here since the Wallabies' 20-15 win in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Melbourne on June 30.
After the Wallabies shot to the top of the Tri-Nations points table with a scrappy 25-17 win over the Springboks here last Saturday, Larkham fired a few warning shots as they switched focus to Eden Park for the final World Cup shakedown for both sides.
"The loss over here has probably damaged their psyche a little bit already, particularly in a World Cup year," Larkham told Australian reporters after his 100th test, and farewell match on home soil.
"They probably have some doubts in World Cup year anyway, with the way the past three World Cups have gone.
"I think we've probably put a bit of doubt in their minds and that would hurt them even more."
The All Blacks assembled in Christchurch today for their first training session ahead of Saturday's Tri-Nations test against the Springboks at Jade Stadium, a match with some of the gloss removed due to South African coach Jake White's decision to rest his 20 top players.
Larkham said toppling the All Blacks in New Zealand would be a huge blow just two months out from the World Cup.
Their last win over the All Blacks away from home was six years ago, 23-15 in Dunedin.
"Beating New Zealand in Australia is one thing, but beating New Zealand over there, in Auckland of all places where we have terrible record, is going to be a massive game for us and a totally different game for us.
"We are going to be overseas for the World Cup and it would be a great boost for us knowing we can beat the best side in the world away from home."
Jones couldn't resist making a few digs at the All Blacks, particularly after they exposed Luke McAlister out of position at centre in Melbourne.
"They're undoubtedly complacent in what they're doing and being a bit smug," Jones told The Australian newspaper.
"How could they pick a guy who's not a No 13 against one of the best centres going around (Stirling Mortlock) and think that they could get away with it?
"Why wouldn't they have moved Mils Muliaina back to centre and bring in Nick Evans at fullback?"
Wallabies lock Nathan Sharpe said the match in Auckland would be a test of the All Blacks' status as dominant World Cup favourites.
"Obviously two losses in a row would be a huge setback to them going into a World Cup, especially after the dominance they've had over the past couple of years," Sharpe said.
- NZPA