The Australians are facing a big task overcoming the All Blacks in Eden Park this weekend, with 25 years since their last victory there. Photo / Getty Images
The Australians are facing a big task overcoming the All Blacks in Eden Park this weekend, with 25 years since their last victory there. Photo / Getty Images
The last Wallaby coach to win at Eden Park says the formula for winning at the All Black fortress is simple - don't be intimidated.
Alan Jones coached the 1986 side that beat the All Blacks 22-9 at Eden Park, the last time Australia has won at the grounds.
"Weweren't ever intimidated by the opposition or the ground. Just get organised and be better than the other team," Jones said.
After losing the second test in the tour in what Jones said was a refereeing decision widely acknowledged as wrong, the team hit training from the next morning, determined to win at Eden Park.
"I won't tell you what I said we'll do to the All Blacks," he said.
But none of the lead-up was about the All Blacks' play.
"I never, ever allowed us to get too preoccupied with the other side. The game plan, I regard as crap. There are just two things you have to do. You win ball and you [don't] lose ball," Jones said.
"We were never, ever worried about what they were going to do. We'll win football and intelligently use it. They will win football and we'll intelligently defend it."
The training had been focused on skills needed in match situations, he said.
"You hope the boys are organised and know what they're doing and have got the skills.
"And one final thing, I would say to the boys before they went out, 'We're going to be OK'."
A devastating tackle by Wallaby prop Topo Rodriguez set the tone for the match, he said.
