Focus intense: Hooper

AUCKLAND: Island time has served its purpose.

Now the pentup Wallabies have hit the Auckland mainland and can throw everything at a second Bledisloe Cup test in which they concede nobody gives them a chance.

Captain Michael Hooper said the team’s four days on

Waiheke Island was among the most intense periods of his life spent focusing on a single game of rugby.

The All Blacks sense blood at their Eden Park fortress tonight and a 15th successful defence of the silverware.

But Hooper said his team would not give ground as easily as it did in the second half of last week’s 3813 meltdown in Sydney.

Not long after their the side’s ferry docked on Thursday, Hooper spoke of the value of stepping out of the rat race this week and breaking down, with detail, how the world champion can be toppled.

First came the recriminations over the loss — the 41 missed tackles, shambolic setpiece work and conceding five tries in the second half.

Then came the game plan — how to end a barren 32year drought at Eden Park and send this year’s series to a decider in Yokohama in late October.

‘‘It has been on my mind all week,’’ Hooper said.

‘‘Being a nice place, it’s just been rugby. It’s been good to actually push the other stuff away.

‘‘I’ve really enjoyed the week, really enjoyed just being focused.’’

The team could not avoid the news filtering through that coach Michael Cheika’s job is coming under serious question for the first time in his tenure.

Hooper said there was no sign the passionate coach was feeling the pressure.

‘‘The guy just wants to win. That’s what he’s shown this week, an absolute thirst to get this team to reach its potential.

‘‘That’s what Cheiks is about and that’s what he’s exuded this week.’’

Cheika said he had ignored the noise too, instead fabricating a game plan built on greater solidity up front through the injection of Brumbies props Scott Sio and Allan Alaalatoa.

Out wide he believes Dane HaylettPetty’s shift to fullback and the first start for young winger Jack Maddocks can adequately cover the absence of the injured Israel Folau.

It will not change how his team attack.

Instead he wants them to focus their energies on ‘‘closing the door’’ defensively when the All Blacks win possession from their favourite source, a turnover.

There will be no problem having the players mentally primed.

‘‘We don’t need to overdo it, saying psychological scars and all that business,’’ Cheika said.

‘‘I don’t think anyone’s expecting us to do it so I don’t think anyone should feel any pressure.

‘‘The only people that think we can do it is us and we’ll have to show it on Saturday, won’t we?’’