All Blacks under pressure as Wallabies eye Eden Park shock

The All Blacks return to Eden Park under serious pressure, and Keo believes the Wallabies may have a real chance to make history.

New Zealand have not lost to Australia at Eden Park since 1986, but after a bruising series against the Springboks, the All Blacks are facing major scrutiny. Dave Rennie’s side have lost three in a row, and the reaction in New Zealand has been fierce.

Zels, however, is not buying the panic.

He remains a big Rennie supporter and believes the All Blacks still have too much talent for the Wallabies. Even with Richie Mo’unga ruled out with a calf injury, Zels likes the look of Damian McKenzie at flyhalf and Beauden Barrett at fullback.

His view is simple: New Zealand are still favourites, especially at Eden Park.

Keo sees it differently. He believes the brutal series against the Springboks may have taken plenty out of the All Blacks, just as it took a physical toll on South Africa. He also points to Australia’s cohesion as a major factor. While New Zealand and South Africa have rotated and managed players, the Wallabies have had a more settled 23 and 26 over recent Tests.

Keo likes what Les Kiss is building with the Wallabies. He described them as understated, raw, real and more physical than many give them credit for. He also believes they are better coached than people think.

The bigger issue may be the pressure now surrounding New Zealand rugby. Keo spoke about the criticism of the All Blacks’ handling, tackling, scrummaging and preparation, and asked how they respond if the crisis narrative grows even louder.

Zels believes that very pressure could make them dangerous. He said the New Zealand public holds the All Blacks to the toughest standard in world rugby: they are expected to win every time they play. There is no soft landing for experimentation or depth-building.

That “backs against the wall” mentality, Zels argued, could fuel the All Blacks in the same way it often fuels the Springboks.

He also made the point that New Zealand have just played the best team in the world, and beat them once on the Highveld. After scrumming against the likes of Wilco Louw and the Bok pack, he expects the All Blacks forwards to feel far more comfortable against Australia.

The key battles will come at the breakdown and in the outside channels. Anton Segner and Fraser McReight were highlighted in the loose-forward contest, while Keo is excited by the speed battle between Leroy Carter and Max Jorgensen, and the heavyweight backline duel between Will Jordan and Joseph Suaalii.

Zels predicted an All Blacks win, 30-22.

Keo went bold, tipping the Wallabies to score 31 and break the Eden Park spell by a single point.

The All Blacks are unbeaten at Eden Park in 53 Tests dating back to a defeat against France in 1994.

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