Legendary All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson has expressed his concerns about the Wallabies' prowess under the high ball, highlighting this as a key area that the All Blacks should be wary of in their upcoming encounters. This comes after the Wallabies showcased formidable skills in this aspect during their recent victory over the Springboks.
Wilson pointed out that the Wallabies' confidence has been buoyed by their performance against South Africa, particularly in the aerial game, an area where the Springboks have traditionally excelled. He specifically praised Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i and Max Jorgensen for their outstanding displays, noting that Sua’ali’i, in his debut on the wing, delivered a remarkable performance.
The All Blacks stalwart remarked on Sky Sport NZ's Breakdown about the psychological edge the Wallabies are gaining.
"We have finished playing South Africa, and I think Rassie is helping the opposition now. So he doesn’t play his strongest squad at all, and they lose to Australia, and the one thing about Australians is that it doesn’t take long for them to get confidence. And their new coaching staff has obviously got them believing in the way that they’re going to play. You bank some good wins, and they’ll be a different team. This is Australia we’re talking about here."
Although Wilson remains skeptical about Australia’s chances to secure back-to-back victories necessary for Bledisloe Cup triumph, he underscores the strategic importance of their aerial capabilities. He believes that the Wallabies’ recent success in this domain poses a significant challenge to Dave Rennie’s squad when they meet at Eden Park.
This concern is further compounded by the Wallabies' potential midfield vulnerabilities due to the absence of Hunter Paisami and the uncertain fitness of Len Ikitau. Wilson voiced his concerns over the possible reshuffling this might necessitate, potentially moving Sua’ali’i back to the centres. "The only issues I have in terms of the midfield with the suspension and whether Len Ikitau is going to be available; I don’t think he will be," Wilson stated. "That hurts them. If they lose their midfield, where does Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i play? I liked him on the wing."
As the teams prepare for their clash at Eden Park, the Wallabies will need to overcome not just their opponents but also the historical weight of not having won the Bledisloe Cup for over two decades. This high-stakes game promises to test their resolve and newly found confidence under the high ball, an area where they will seek to challenge the All Blacks and replicate the tactical pressure the Springboks have successfully employed in the past.
