SYDNEY — Tom Wright says Australia have faced the music after their 50-19 thrashing by the All Blacks at the weekend and are chomping at the bit for revenge when the sides meet again at Accor Stadium on Saturday. The Wallabies full-back admitted New Zealand were "there for the taking" up until half-time before the hosts "applied a lot more pressure" in the second half to secure the comprehensive victory.
Wright pinpointed the kicking battle as decisive and said it has dominated Australia's internal review. "The execution around the kicking game for both teams [was] obviously a massive talking point, and has been internally in our review, how we can apply pressure to them. Similarly, the way that they were doing to us and getting the ball back," Wright said. He added: "Jordie's [Barrett] the best part of six foot five/six. He was quite prominent in the air, won a couple of back, tapped a couple back, and then on the inverse we weren't able to get our game going and even up the statistics that way."
Australia must shore up their aerial game to avoid a repeat, but Wright remains confident they can turn the tide in Sydney. He highlighted Max Jorgensen as "arguably one of the best at chasing" and pointed to Joseph Sua'ali'i's aerial skills the week prior, stressing execution and getting back to the threats that have served them well this year. "It's a moment-by-moment game. You can look at the big flashy stuff, but it really is just the nuts and bolts of the little moments in front of your nose," he said. Assistant coach Tom Donnelly added an injury update, telling the press: "Len Ikitau's [got a] concussion, so he's shot home. Jordan Petaia as well. The rest, there are a few bumps and bruises, but nothing major."
The fixture is significant for the visitors, who currently sit sixth in the world rankings after a resurgence in form over the past couple of seasons. A win against New Zealand would likely move Australia above England in the rankings and build valuable momentum ahead of the 2027 World Cup on home soil.