Wallabies have chance to break 22-year-old Eden Park hoodoo against ‘beatable’ New Zealand side, but players don’t take ‘second tier’ All Blacks for granted

Even after dropping a massive 12 players for Saturday’s second leg of the Bledisloe Cup in Dunedin, the All Blacks remain staunch favorites to topple the Wallabies who have yet to ‘kick in’ the door that has been opened for them.

New Zealand was about as unwelcoming as an itinerant Wallabies squad could expect this week, training in rain and sleet for the first Test in Dunedin since 2017.

Players wore track pants and beanies and superstar center Samu Kerevi said the Wallabies with Pacific Island heritage felt the pinch.

“Some guys from Fiji have never experienced this kind of cold,” Kerevi said as his team wrapped up preparations.

“Dunedin put it on… no matter how nice the weather is, I’d like to go back to Brissy (Brisbane) after this game.”

But the cold in New Zealand will be offset by the ‘trial by fire’ that awaits the Wallabies, winless in three Rugby Championship starts and thrashed 38-7 by the All Blacks in the MCG last week, on Sunday.

This is the last chance for Eddie Jones and the Wallabies to put on a strong result ahead of the Rugby World Cup

That’s how Kerevi views any clash with the Kiwis, regardless of who’s playing.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster opted for the massive changes to his squad with the World Cup less than 40 days away. Only three players – Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan – remain in the starting 15 from last week’s game in Melbourne.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has stuck with most of his squad, including rookie five-eighth Carter Gordon.

It’s hardly changed expectations though, as the Kiwis are still $1.05 favorites at online bookies Betr to win again.

Nor do the Wallabies feel they have been given an easier task.

“Every All Blacks side that comes forward is their best side… it’s a world class team,” said Kerevi.

“We didn’t think of it as a B-team or anything like that.

“We see another great team that has come in. Another great combination of 12 and 13.

“Anyone who says D-Mac (Damian McKenzie) isn’t a world-class 10 or that their striker isn’t a world-class striker — you need to come out and play them.

“They have depth for days.

‘It’s not a door that’s been opened. We have to kick that door down every time we play them.”

Wallabies players put to the test in their captaincy run ahead of the second Bledisloe Cup test match against New Zealand

Kerevi was adamant though a test against the All Blacks was the perfect proving ground for the Wallabies who have themselves undergone a ‘refit’ from three successive defeats under coach Eddie Jones.

“This trial by fire is what the team will ultimately be made of,” he said.

“So, stay with us or not, but we’ll stay with ourselves.”

The Wallabies have not played in Dunedin since 2017 when Australia led 29-28 with three minutes remaining for Beauden Barrett, who will not play for the All Blacks on Sunday, to score late as the Kiwis secured a 35-29 victory booked.

None of the Wallabies from that matchday 23 will appear in a gold jersey on Saturday.