After Australia denied New Zealand a world record 18th win in a row last weekend, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw admits his side will have the bit between their teeth when the rivals lock horns again in tomorrow’s Rugby Championship Test at Eden Park.
The Wallabies, beaten by the British & Irish Lions in last year’s three-Test series, held New Zealand – hosts of the 2017 Lions tour – to a 12-12 draw last Saturday to deny them the chance to eclipse the 17-match winning run that South Africa had previously put together.
And 128-cap veteran McCaw admits he cannot wait to get back out on the pitch and begin building towards another record run.
"After the game probably both teams felt like that [they had lost] and certainly when you review the game on Monday it was a similar sort of situation,” he said.
“That puts guys on the front of their seats and we want to make sure we come out and perform better this week. It's all words so far, it’s about putting it into action tomorrow.
“There’s always pressure. When you pull on the All Black jersey there is always the pressure on you to perform, but making that a weight on your shoulders isn’t going to help.”
Australia have named an unchanged side from last weekend’s draw, while the All Blacks have made three changes to their line-up.
Injured centre Ma’a Nonu has been replaced by Ryan Crotty, set to make his first Test start, and will be partnered by Conrad Smith, who was absent last week to attend the birth of his son.
Liam Messam also comes in for the injured Jerome Kaino.
