All Blacks look to whitewash wounded Wallabies in Japan

TOKYO: New Zealand will be aiming to inflict a Bledisloe Cup whitewash on struggling Australia and lay down a marker for next year’s World Cup when the fierce trans-Tasman rivals face off in Japan at the weekend.

Hooker Codie Taylor warned Monday that the world champion All Blacks had their sights set on completing a series sweep after taking an unassailable 2-0 lead with victories in Sydney and Auckland.

New Zealand slipped up last year after beating the Wallabies in the first two Bledisloe Tests. “Our challenge is to win all three,” Taylor told reporters before Saturday’s clash in Yokohama.

The front-row forward cautioned against underestimating Australia, who lost six of eight games this season before an astonishing 45-34 comeback win over Argentina in Salta this month eased the pressure on coach Michael Cheika.

“It’s the Wallabies -- they may have lost some games in the Rugby Championship but when they play us they back themselves to beat us.”

New Zealand will be chasing a World Cup hat-trick in 2019. “We’re aware of the fact that the World Cup is in Japan next year,” Taylor said.

“It’s a great chance to experience the culture and having the Test in a different country adds a little element of excitement.”

New Zealand face the 2019 World Cup hosts Japan in Tokyo on November 3 before flying to Europe to complete their five-match tour against England, Ireland and Italy.

“You feel like a king when you walk around,” said Taylor, describing the All Blacks fever triggered by their arrival in Japan.

“The food is amazing -- hopefully we don’t blow out in the next week or two.

“But since last night the boys have switched into normal Test mode to face an Aussie team that will be up for the challenge,” Taylor added. - AFP