Hostilities on hold for a beer

Folau Faingaa, Tom Robertson, Sekope Kepu, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Tom Banks.

backing up against the same team. Of expecting it to just happen again.

‘‘We know the challenge and we’ve focused on that quite heavily. It’s important we get our performance as right as we can. Steve nuts it down to your mental application. You get a win, you potentially psychologically relax.

‘‘As leaders we need to keep the guys on as much edge as we can.’’

Both teams have had key injuries. But Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett coming in for Ryan Crotty and Rieko Ioane feels more substantial than Jack Maddocks on the wing and Dane Haylett-Petty moving to fullback for Israel Folau. Michael Cheika has also switched around his props in what feels like a roll of the dice. All Blacks openside Sam Cane was inactive yesterday, but Read said it was precautionary and his No 7 would be right when it mattered.

Laumape and the youngest Barrett both have a lot to play for. So does Owen Franks in his 100th test. The Wallabies will be better. Last week they coughed up seven lineouts and fell off 40 tackles. They have a lot to improve.

But the point the All Blacks have made all week to anyone who would listen is they weren’t that flash themselves for long stretches in Sydney. They are chasing a more complete performance. Their heads appear to be just where they need to be. The Wallabies will join the All Blacks for a beer in their dressing room after the second Bledisloe Cup test in a sign the teams are willing to put sportsmanship ahead of a sometimes-bitter rivalry.

After the two coaches traded barbs on the subject of Sam Whitelock’s 100th cap celebration this week, Australian captain Michael Hooper yesterday revealed the Wallabies had accepted an invitation from the home side to join them for a post-match beer and wind-down.

It is understood All Blacks team manager Darren Shand contacted Wallabies manager Pat Molihan with the proposal. Hooper said the team would also take the opportunity to congratulate All Blacks prop Owen Franks on reaching 100 tests.

‘‘I don’t know how they’re doing it [celebrating Franks], but we’re going into the change room after the match and I’m sure everyone will pay their respects to an amazing career that he’s had so far,’’ Hooper said.

The Wallabies will no doubt also stick around to watch the onstage presentation for Franks, which will occur straight after the match.

The news is a welcome demonstration of goodwill between the teams after a week of increasing tension. While the All Blacks consider their post-match dressing room perennially open to visiting teams and Australian and New Zealand players regularly float in and out to swap jerseys or catch up with mates, it is significant that yesterday’s invitation was issued formally by All Blacks management.

The Wallabies have been criticised in sections of New Zealand media – and by Steve Hansen himself on Thursday – for failing to join en masse Whitelock’s unofficial 100th test celebration on the pitch in Sydney last week.

Hooper and four other Australians – Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Pete Samu and skills coach Mick Byrne – joined in, but other players were already in the dressing rooms or with their families in the stands.

Hooper defended the group but was keen to put the issue behind them.

‘‘I know individually a lot of players paid their respects. But that was last week, Owen Franks is tomorrow night. It’s Whitelock’s 101st tomorrow.’’