Codie Taylor addresses the All Blacks ‘fear’ ahead of Wallabies clash: ‘It’s going to be a hell of a Test’
All Blacks with the Bledisloe Cup in 2023 and hooker Codie Taylor.
All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor says that the Bledisloe Cup “is not ours anymore” ahead of their opening encounter with the Wallabies in Sydney.
That is the mentality the front-rower insists New Zealand will go into the game with as they look to retain the trophy for yet another season.
It has been 22 straight years since Australia last lifted the Bledisloe Cup – in 2002 – and Joe Schmidt’s men will need to win both games if they are to regain the coveted silverware.
Wallabies struggles
Despite the All Blacks’ mixed results so far under Scott Robertson, they still appear to be in a much better position than their arch-rivals, who were thrashed 67-27 by Argentina last time out in the Rugby Championship.
“We’re playing Australia, that’s all the edge you need as a Kiwi. I’ve personally got a lot of respect for a lot of the boys in that team, but it’s black versus yellow mate, it’s going to be a hell of a Test,” Taylor said.
“I suppose there’s that appropriate fear involved with holding the Bledisloe. But it’s not ours anymore, we’ve got to go out and earn the right and that’s what this week’s about.”
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The Wallabies can call upon two people who have excellent knowledge of the All Blacks set-up in Schmidt and scrum expert Mike Cron.
Schmidt was named Australia head coach earlier this year having helped New Zealand reach the Rugby World Cup final in 2023.
Cron left in 2019 but spent 15 years with the All Blacks, becoming one of most highly regarded set-piece coaches around.
‘A bit of a guru’
“He’s (Cron) done a lot for New Zealand rugby, he’s transcended the game for the All Black forward pack and what he did in the past,” Taylor said.
“I’m sure he will be instilling a lot of knowledge in their forward pack and what’s ahead this week. He’s a bit of a guru, he always has been.
“He’s worked to make sure that he’s always innovative in terms of the scrum so he will be looking at ways to target a few opportunities that he may have seen from us.
“With Schmidty, I’ve never seen someone more passionate about the game – other than maybe Scotty Hansen. His attention to detail in ensuring that you’re in the right place when you need to be is next to none.
“He will let you know about it if you’re not doing your job but, in a way, that’s for the team in how they can be better.
“It’s a good challenge. We know those coaches really well. They will be preparing to come at us and that’s what you want.”
