WALLABIES coach Robbie Deans has downplayed history as a factor in his team's Tri-Nations rugby Test against New Zealand today.
Australia have not beaten New Zealand at Auckland's Eden Park since 1986, and while Deans' acknowledged the All Blacks' formidable record on their main home ground, he dismissed the influence of past events on today's outcome.
Deans' Wallabies w
ill be chasing their second win over New Zealand on successive weekends and a third straight Tri-Nations victory which will give them control of the southern hemisphere series.
To achieve that win, the Wallabies will have to overcome a poor record away from home, including a losing streak of 14 straight Tests in New Zealand or South Africa.
Since 2001, Australia have won only two of 24 away tests against rugby's major powers and haven't won in New Zealand since a victory in Dunedin seven years ago.
Deans said he is not concerned about those factors as he prepares to lead his team into their first test match on his native soil. He expects a hostile reception in Auckland but feels the confidence his players gained from last week's 34-19 win in Sydney – Australia's biggest win over New Zealand in a decade – will help them through a difficult trial.
"I'm not concerned about what's been before," he said. "We've got a group of blokes there that are very excited about what's ahead of them and looking to make the most of it.
"To win a Tri-Nations match, it doesn't matter where it is. It's significant and we've got one coming up and we're looking forward to it."
The Wallabies will enter the match in a much stronger and more stable state than New Zealand. While injury has ruled flanker Rocky Elsom out of the line-up that started in Sydney, he is ably replaced by veteran Phil Waugh and the return of captain Stirling Mortlock gives Australia additional leadership.
New Zealand, in contrast, were unable to confirm a team for the match until yesterday morning when they received final fitness reports on a group of injured players.
Jimmy Cowan will start at scrum-half despite a broken nose and knee ligament damage, while Sydney try-scorer Andrew Hore will play at hooker after recovering from a hip injury. Captain Richie McCaw has been rushed back into the team to address its weakness at the breakdown, but he aggravated an ankle strain in training during the week.
Full-back Leon MacDonald was selected but later withdrew with concussion, and centre Richard Kahui was included on the wing ahead of two specialist wingers.
New Zealand (v Australia in Wellington today, 8.35amBST, Live on Sky Sports 2): Muliaina, Kahui, Smith, Nonu, Sivivatu, Carter, Cowan; Woodcock, Hore, Somerville, Thorn, Williams, Kaino, McCaw (captain), So'oialo. Subs: Mealumu, Afoa, Boric, Thomson, Weepu, Donald, Tuitavake.
Australia: Ashley-Cooper, Hynes, Mortlock (captain), Barnes, Tuqiri, Giteau, Burgess; Robinson, Moore, Baxter, Horwill, Sharpe, Waugh, Smith, Palu. Subs: Polota-Nau, Dunning, Vickerman, McMeniman, Cordingley, Cross, Mitchell.
The full article contains 506 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
