How a month away has recharged All Blacks for Bledisloe Cup

All Blacks v Wallabies – Eden Park, 7.05pm, Saturday

The All Blacks have clear plans where they must improve to avoid a fourth straight defeat when they take on another big rival this weekend. Again, it is just going to come down to execution.

After more than a month in South Africa and the US, Dave Rennie’s side return to action with their last home test of the season against the Wallabies on Saturday as they look to continue their 52-test unbeaten run at Eden Park.

Lock Tupou Vaa’i said after some time away from the test environment they’ve got key areas they know they must improve if they want to hold onto the Bledisloe Cup.

“It was awesome to be back home and spend some time with loved ones and it’s been awesome to be back in Auckland, Eden Park this weekend, which is a place that we love to play,” Vaa’i told media today.

“Key focus this week is probably just around our set piece. That was a main thing that came out of the RGR [Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry] and something that us forwards are working really hard on to perfect come weekend.”

“I guess the big three were the set piece, winning the air and just being clinical, especially when we get down there in the 22 and pretty much score points, those are probably the big three.

“Another point that kind of hurt us in that RGR, was just those dumb penalties that we’ve given away. I can remember, I gave a stupid one there from memory. I guess as soon as we can get that out of our game, then we can obviously apply pressure.

The versatile Vaa’i played in every minute of the four tests against South Africa, starting two tests at lock and two on the side of the scrum. He said the break from the game was much needed.

“Every rugby player needs it. You can’t be full on rugby, rugby, rugby. And we’ve seen it with the first day we’ve come in, like the boys are energised, they look like they enjoyed their break weeks. Some boys have gone back to play NPC and it’s been awesome just to go back and reconnect with loved ones that didn’t make the trip over.”

“I obviously can adjust pretty good whether it’s six or four or five on my back. I guess it’s just more trying to continue to play my game, especially doesn’t matter what number’s on my back, just continue to play my game. That’s probably the only thing that I can think of.

He’ll have support in both lock and the loose forwards with veterans Scott Barrett and Shannon Frizell back to the squad in much-needed returns with the likes of Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson and Patrick Tuipulotu out of at least the next two tests.

Vaa’i has played the Wallabies on nine occasions, having tasted defeat just once back in 2020. But the All Blacks are coming off three straight defeats to the Springboks and are facing an Australian side who just beat the World No 1 side.

“I wouldn’t say we’re desperate, but I think we know what’s on the line. Bledisloe Cup, a trophy that means so much to both nations. We’re the people that have got it at the moment, but we’re still going to go out there and try and win it again.”

Listen to Elliott Smith’s live commentary on Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio, or join the Alternative Commentary Collective on iHeartRadio and Radio Hauraki.