Wallabies’ belief growing as Bledisloe looms

Mon, Oct 16, 2017, 2:30 AM
Beth Newman
by Beth Newman
Despite Saturday's final Bledisloe at Brisbane being a dead rubber, Simmons insists there's still plenty to play for against the All Blacks.

Back on home soil for the first time in a month, the Wallabies banked a frenetic draw against the Springboks and a comfortable win over the Pumas overseas, but Foley said they weren’t satisfied.

Though they came second in the Rugby Championship, and have added more confidence after positive performances on the road,  the All Blacks are a whole other prospect.

“I think just amongst the squad there’s a lot more belief but we haven’t really achieved what we wanted to achieve,” he said.   

“Two good wins and two draws. It’s not like we’re playing the house down, in terms of getting the result that we want but I think there has been that development and that progress amongst the squad which has been pleasing.

"(The All Blacks are) the number one side and they’re world class for a reason.”   

Bernard Foley says the Wallabies have plenty of work to do this week. Photo: Getty ImagesFoley said the Wallabies wouldn’t be dwelling anymore on the heartbreaking loss they suffered in Dunedin, where a missed kick-off led to a try in the final two minutes. 

“I suppose we analysed that game as soon as it happened in the lead up to the next game and we made changes from that,” he said. 

“We realized how the little details, or (that) there’s a lot of small moments in the game and you have to be able to win every moment, especially against a side like the All Blacks if you give them a little slip up.    

“For us that was something we analysed and dealt with and we won’t be looking back on that.”   


The Wallabies will be based on the Gold Coast until Friday morning, before heading to Brisbane, a pattern they’ve become accustomed to this season, spending the first part of match weeks away from the game day setup.

“Guys get consistent with it and get used to it. That’s allowed us to prepare the best we can.”   

It’s all familiar territory for lock Rob Simmons, who grew up on the Gold Coast and has played all of his Super Rugby with the Queensland Reds.

Saturday will be his last outing at Suncorp for a while, but the soon-to-be Waratahs second rower said there was always a sense of confidence playing in Brisbane.   

Australia has won 21 of its 30 outings at the ground, though two of their eight losses have come in the past three years, against England (2016) and New Zealand (2014)   

“As a group of Wallabies we’ve always enjoyed playing in Brisbane, we’ve always enjoyed it, it’s a really good stadium to play at, it’s a bit of a home ground for us,” he said.   

Australia takes on New Zealand on Saturday October 21, kicking off at 7pm AEST, 8pm AEDT LIVE on FOX SPORTS, Network Ten, Win and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.  Buy tickets here.  

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