Exciting challenge for Barett
RUGBY
SYDNEY: Not securing the Bledisloe Cup before leaving New Zealand rankles with the All Blacks, fullback Beauden Barrett said yesterday, but it does offer the twice World Player of the Year the opportunity of breaking new ground in Australia.
The 29yearold has won the World Cup, six Rugby Championships and seven Bledisloe Cups over his 84test career but has never secured the trophy that symbolises transtasman supremacy on Australian soil.
Barrett missed the first of this year’s four Bledisloe Cup tests — a 1616 draw in Wellington — but returned with a sparkling display in Auckland as the All Blacks took a 10 series lead with a 277 victory 10 days ago.
The All Blacks play two more tests against the Wallabies in Sydney on Saturday and Brisbane the following week as part of the Rugby Championship.
‘‘Yes, of course it bothers us,’’ Barrett said of failing to sweep the home tests.
‘‘But we can’t be too arrogant and assume we’re going to win every game at home. We do respect Australia and we are up for the challenge that is presented this weekend.
‘‘We haven’t won the Bledisloe Cup on their soil for a long time and we’ve got the opportunity to do that ... we’re pretty excited about that challenge.’’
The All
Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 17th straight season last year despite a 4726 thrashing at the hands of the Wallabies in the series opener in Perth after Barrett’s brother, Scott, was sent off.
‘‘It’s important to remember how you felt in the changing rooms or in the game during those moments and use that as fuel,’’ Barrett said.
‘‘That one just really showed their strengths when everything goes to plan and we don’t front up physically and emotionally.’’
Meanwhile, lock Lukhan SalakaiaLoto says Australia will be ready for more niggle from the All Blacks in the third test aftera firedup All Blacks got in their faces at Eden Park.
Hooker Dane Coles doing his best to ruffle the Wallabies’ feathers on his recall to the starting side.
Coles instigated an early confrontation with Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou at Eden Park and ran out of his way to give SalakaiaLoto a pat on the back after Aaron Smith scored the All Blacks’ first try.
SalakaiaLoto said he liked the niggle and that the Wallabies were well prepared for whatever came their way in Sydney.
‘‘Wherever you play and whoever you play, you’re always going to have players or come across packs who try to get under your skin,’’ he said.
‘‘For us, we’ve faced that all year, especially when we play those derbies in Super Rugby.
‘‘It’s good. It’s a fun part of the game and it’s a part of the game I reckon should be encouraged because you get a few laughs and a few smiles out of it.’’
SalakaiaLoto said he was not too close with any of the All Blacks but had shared a beer with Coles after the game.
‘‘I just remember Dane Coles running about 50m after they scored to pat me on the back. I found that pretty funny. — Reuters