All Blacks primed to defend historic run at Eden Park fortress

AUCKLAND: The All Blacks will not only be defending the Bledisloe Cup when they face the Wallabies on Saturday, but looking to preserve an unbeaten run at Auckland’s Eden Park.

Their unbroken run of 19 years with the Cup and 27 years without a loss at the grounds known as “the fortress” are achievements that rile Australia.

To prepare for the Bledisloe, the Wallabies won a tense 2-1 series against Six Nations runners-up France and the All Blacks easily won Tests against Tonga and Fiji last month.

New Zealand’s performance had Wallabies coach Dave Rennie planning to dominate up front and play a fast, physical and aerial game in the hope of claiming the three-Test series and ending the All Blacks’ dominance.

The All Blacks have not been beaten at Eden Park, their spiritual home, in 44 Tests dating back to 1994. Australia have not won at the ground since 1986, nor held the Bledisloe Cup, which is contested annually by the two countries, since 2002.

While the All Blacks say they are focused on the game rather than extending records, the Wallabies see an opportunity to claim a slice of history.

None of the Wallabies were born when the team last won at Eden Park in 1986. Captain Michael Hooper said that, though he has not enjoyed repeatedly losing at Eden Park, younger members of the squad have been spared the pressure that comes with playing there. “It wouldn’t be good to put what everyone else says about Eden Park on to them,” Hooper said. “If the way they feel about it is all positive then happy days. It’s great to have that sort of feeling and that sort of youthful ‘I just want to get out there and play rugby’ (sentiment).”