Wallabies lock Adam Coleman says belief won’t be a problem for Australia in this weekend’s Bledisloe Cup.
After close to a month of gruelling training, the opening trans-Tasman encounter is just five days away and Coleman said their faith was unwavering.
“I think the boys believe now more than ever that coming this weekend we can beat the All Blacks,” he said.
“The growth the team has experienced over the last four weeks, not only physically but mentally that mental resilience, that hard training we've been doing, especially with the younger guys, experience that for their first time, I think it's paid dividends.
“This week is going to be a really good week and build into Saturday.”
Coleman did not play in the opening Bledisloe last year, but just 12 months on, he looms as the only guaranteed pick in the second row, with Rory Arnold, Kane Douglas, Rob Simmons and rookie Izack Rodda battling it out for the other spots.
Rodda has impressed since being called into camp for the first time, his hulking frame hard to miss.
“I think it's unreal for young Izack Rodda to be in camp and potentially playing against the All Blacks this weekend,” Coleman said.
“It's a massive achievement for him and his family and then you've got Rory Arnold and Kane Douglas and Simmo back in the mix.
“There's definitely a variety of locks there and once again, the All Blacks locks are some of the best in the world and what an opportunity to play against them.”
Coleman’s Force teammate Dane Haylett-Petty had a brutal introduction to New Zealand in Sydney last year, but he said he didn’t expect a repeat of that on Saturday.
“I think this time last year was the first time a lot of us had played the All Blacks and they're the best team in the world and they're the benchmark,” he said.
“We definitely felt like last year with each performance we improved and we're looking to improve again on those performances and the lessons learned.”
Haylett-Petty is still working his way back from a torn bicep, but the 28-year-old is optimistic he’ll be fit to play on Saturday.
“I've got a tear in my bicep and we'll see where it is today after the weekend, it's getting better every single day,” he said.
“I did it at training a couple of weeks ago but it's getting better every day so hopefully be available for this weekend.”
The Wallabies face the All Blacks on Saturday, kicking off at 8pm AEST LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Network Ten and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
