Script flipped on All Blacks as Wallabies sniff rare win at Wellington's Sky Stadium
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WELLINGTON: Whenever the Wallabies visit Auckland, they are bombarded with questions about their inability to win at Eden Park.
So it made for a refreshing change on Tuesday when Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Dylan Pietsch were instead peppered with inquiries about New Zealand's struggles to triumph in Wellington.
Remarkably for a team with such a dominant home record, the All Blacks have failed to win any of their last five Test matches at Sky Stadium - colloquially referred to as the 'Cake Tin' by locals.
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A Bledisloe Cup match in 2016 in Wellington. Getty
South Africa started the rot in 2018 with a 36-34 win less than a year after being embarrassed 57-0 in North Harbour.
The All Blacks were then held to back-to-back 16-16 draws by the Springboks (2019) and Wallabies (2020) - the latter when Reece Hodge's 60m penalty attempt was cruelly turned away by the post.
Ireland then outplayed the Kiwis 32-22 in 2022 before Argentina did the same with a deserved 38-30 victory this season.
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Reece Hodge of Australia attempts a penalty during the 2020 Bledisloe Cup match. Getty
Truth is, these All Blacks are incredibly vulnerable wherever they now play and the Wallabies proved that again by giving them an almighty scare with a 31-28 loss in Sydney last weekend.
Australia, however, sits last in the Rugby Championship and is not in a position to be talking trash to their trans-Tasman rivals ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rematch.
"Oh, I don't read too much into that," Salakaia-Loto said in regards to New Zealand's capital punishment.
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"Any team enjoys playing at home and it's the All Blacks in New Zealand. So it's always going to be a tough match... it's always tough playing away from home and you know, our record probably speaks for itself, hasn't been great over here (in New Zealand).
"But that doesn't mean it can't change. We understand that the All Blacks at home are confident and they feed off the energy that the fans give. I don't know if you want to read too much into that.
"The field is still the same size - 15 guys on 15 guys, 80 minutes...
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto of the Wallabies is tackled by TJ Perenara of the All Blacks. Getty
"History shows that whenever it's been a tight contest in the first game, the second game always hasn't gone our way.
"So we know that we've got to be better and we understand that, we acknowledge that it's not going to be easy. Sold out crowd here in Wellington at Sky Stadium so I think it'll be a close game."
Salakaia-Loto was impressive in his return from injury via the bench at Accor Stadium, steamrolling Damian McKenzie in one memorable run that had shades of Jonah Lomu on Mike Catt.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto runs over Damian McKenzie. Getty
The 28-year-old, Auckland-born lock feels he is now a more complete player after rubbing shoulders with England great Courtney Lawes at Northampton.
And a win in Wellington was achievable, Salakaia-Loto believed, while responding to a question about New Zealand's fall from grace.
"I think the pressure (on the All Blacks) has probably come from you guys (media) if anything," he said.
"Every team goes through spells like that and whether it's in Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Christchurch where we play, playing against the All Blacks, they're world class and it's going to be a tough game.
"So there's always pressure from within to perform well and to win at home, especially. So there's no doubt that that angle from them. But look, I don't read too much into that."
Both countries will reveal their game two lineups on Thursday.
Dylan Pietsch of the Wallabies looks on. Getty
Pietsch has zoomed into the frame to start on the wing after impressing off the bench in Sydney.
Veteran Marika Koroibete tried hard as always but made multiple mistakes which hurt Australia.
"I'd always like to start but we've got a world class winger on the edge there," Pietsch said.
Marika Koroibete of Australia is embraced by Rob Leota. Getty
"And you've got to respect what he's done in the past and what he does in the effort area, is what he does every week.
"So, mate, I'm more than happy to start but I understand that Marika is there and he's one of the best.
"There's a reason for that."
