Wallabies out to defy odds

THEY have never been bigger outsiders in a Bledisloe Cup on home soil and, according to Michael Cheika, it doesn’t take a “rocket scientist” to understand why.

Despite acknowledging the widespread belief that the All Blacks will pile on more transTasman pain tomorrow night, Cheika said the Wallabies were quietly energised by the role of unloved underdogs.

“When you believe in yourself, you relish that idea,” Cheika said. “If you don’t believe in yourself, you won’t. One thing we have been working hard on is training hard together, so we are feeling connected so we can go against the odds.

“Because it would be against the odds, obviously. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to work that out with what’s happened this year.

“Certainly the expectation is they will win. But it’s up to us to get up there and put a few obstacles in their way.”

Paying $6.25 to beat the All Blacks, the Wallabies have been bigger outsiders before. They were $9 no-hopers in Bledisloe II in Auckland last year. But it’s the biggest price on Australian soil — and it’s little wonder why.

Australian teams have not beaten a Kiwi team in 26 attempts in Super Rugby this year, and memories are still fresh from the Wallabies’ 42-8 loss in the opening Bledisloe Cup game at ANZ Stadium last year. Normally leaning towards optimism, even Australian fans are resigned to another Bledisloe loss and a record low crowd in the 50-55,000 range is forecast for ANZ Stadium.

The previous low at Olympic venue is 65,328.

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