Kiwis expect kickback from Aussies

COMPLACENCY is the big battle facing the world champion All Blacks as they prepare to face Australia in the second round of the Rugby Championship in Wellington tomorrow.

The Wallabies have rushed New Zealand fans’ archenemy Quade Cooper into their lineup, hoping he can induce a miracle turnaround with an inspired kicking game.

But All Blacks coach Steve Hansen called complacency the “massive concern” for his side after the comprehensive way they whipped Australia in the opening match of the series.

The Australians were outgunned across the board in Sydney, but Hansen is expecting a sterner test tomorrow.

With the Wallabies desperate to redeem themselves, Hansen has demanded the All Blacks block out memories of that thrashing and muster a similar desperation.

“You can’t fake it,” he said. “If we wait and sit back, then Australia will smack us and then we’ll be in trouble.

“It’s about mentally controlling your thought patterns . . . and getting your feet back on the ground firmly and trying to not relax subconsciously.”

Having taken a public pounding from their own supporters and the media since last week’s humiliating scoreline, coach Michael Cheika has admitted the Wallabies needed a shake-up.

He has moved Bernard Foley to inside centre to cater for Cooper at flyhalf, with Samu Kerevi replacing Tevita Kuridrani at outside centre.

Ben McCalman and Rob Simmons are gone from the pack where lock Adam Coleman gets his first start and Scott Fardy earns a recall while Will Skelton will make his return.

Utility back Reece Hodge is in line to make his debut as one of three back replacements, along with Kuridrani and Nick Phipps.

Hansen, who named his side first, had predicted a Foley-Cooper combination and switched Ben Smith back to fullback – with Israel Dagg going to do duty on the wing.

“It will allow Ben to come into the game a wee bit more if Australia are going to kick,” Hansen said. – AFP