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All Blacks expect resurgent Wallabies

By Laine Clark 09/09/2008 07:33:41 AM Comments (0)

After firing blanks in South Africa, the Wallabies have been tipped to come out with all guns blazing in Saturday night's Tri-Nations decider at Brisbane by a wary New Zealand.

The Wallabies have had plenty of time to wallow in their misery after a record 53-8 thrashing at Ellis Park on August 30.

New Zealand believe the eight-tries-to-one shellacking will be just what the Wallabies needed as they vie for their first Tri-Nations title in seven years.

"It was absolutely out of the blue. The week before they were so dominant and so successful - but from our point of view, that (Wallabies loss) makes them pretty dangerous," NZ flyhalf Stephen Donald said in Brisbane.

"No-one likes losing and they have had two weeks (sic) to sit on that hiding they got at Ellis Park.

"It's a daunting proposition for us knowing they are going to come out after it has been lingering on their shoulders for the last couple of weeks."

Asked if the Wallabies could be mentally fragile after the loss, Donald said: "I don't think so, it might add an edge to them.

"I guess it has been one of the most even Tri-Nations for quite some time and if you are a little off you can get belted in this competition.

"We are expecting the Wallabies to be as good as they really are.

"We know what they are going to bring - it's just a matter of us meeting that."

New Zealand are speaking from experience.

The All Blacks were dusted 34-19 by Australia at Sydney on July 26 - only to turn the tables on the Wallabies to the tune of 39-10 at Auckland a week later.

"They spanked us in Sydney and that hurt us. We had a few boys who were hurting in the shed after the game - by Auckland we were firing," NZ back Richard Kahui said.

"They have come off a loss against us and obviously the game at Johannesburg - they are going to come out firing.

"It's not a game where you can take a backward step. We are going to have to fight fire with fire."

With just five Tests under his belt, Kahui, 23, is part of the All Blacks' new breed.

But he still feels the same old pressure facing any New Zealand rugby team.

Quite simply, losing at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night is not an option for the rugby-mad Kiwis.

"Everything is on the line this week. The Tri Nations, the Bledisloe Cup and a bit of international pride as well - we don't want to go home empty-handed," said Kahui who scored two of New Zealand's 15 tries in their 101-14 romp over Samoa last week.

"Everyone talks about the disappointment of last year (2007 World Cup) but for ... us new boys we haven't had anything bigger than this.

"These are the sort of games that you live for.

"We will put our bodies on the line. We are not coming here thinking we are just going to pick up the trophies and leave."

The All Blacks will name a near full-strength side on Tuesday, with fringe winger Anthony Tuitavake (facial fracture) the only player unavailable.

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