Schmidt refuses to talk about bringing Bledisloe back

Too savvy to poke the bear, Joe Schmidt is refusing to think about bringing the Bledisloe Cup back to Australia as he braces for a fierce backlash from his former All Blacks.

Schmidt admits it will be "a bit awkward" coaching against many players he knows better than the Wallabies for the first time in charge of Australia in Saturday's trans-Tasman series opener in Sydney.

But New Zealand's 2023 World Cup assistant is promising to put friendship and patriotism to the side when the Wallabies strive to keep their 2024 Bledisloe hopes alive with victory at Accor Stadium.

"You have a loyalty to the group of men you're working with at the current time," Schmidt said after naming his side on Thursday.

Knowing he needs all the experience he can muster to keep the All Blacks at bay, Schmidt selected veteran prop James Slipper to become Australia's most-capped Wallaby of all time when he runs out for his 140th Test.

After making his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will surpass George Gregan’s record after being named as the replacement loosehead prop for the must-win showdown.

James Slipper.
James Slipper (second left) is put through his paces ahead of playing his 140th Test for Australia.

Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the back row and centres respectively after recovering from injury, while Nic White has replaced halfback Jake Gordon in the only other change to the starting side that surrendered 67-27 last up against Argentina in Santa Fe.

The Wallabies need to beat the All Blacks in Sydney for the first time since 2015 to keep the series alive heading to Wellington for Bledisloe II on Saturday week, and thus stay in the hunt to wrestle back the coveted silverware that's been locked up in New Zealand for 22 years.

Schmidt insisted he was too pragmatic to entertain the thought of busting the most infamous drought in Australian sport.

"Because for me it's all about process driven," he said.

"Can we get better at that and that? A couple of the things that we didn't do well in Santa Fe.

"Can we see marked improvement in those areas and can we retain some real positives?

"We were 20 points to three up after 30 minutes so the catastrophe that it was, wasn't for 80 minutes.

"What can we take out of that game and keep building? What do we really need to build our way back and do?

"The Bledisloe is a massive trophy. It's something that I know the All Blacks treasure and the Wallabies would like to treasure.

"They haven't seen it for quite some time and so it would be great if they could at least get a hand on it and keep it live to Wellington.

"But I think what we've been working on is really just trying to do elements of the game better rather than talking about anything that's outcome focused or result focused."

Noah Lolesio.
Noah Lolesio is involved in a strength drill during a Wallabies training session in Sydney.

Knowing the All Blacks as he does, Schmidt conceded the Wallabies would need to play almost perfect rugby to bring down their arch rivals.

"I understand the firepower that we're up against on Saturday," he said.

"And I understand that having been associated with them and watching that World Cup final and playing 55 minutes with 14 players and losing by a point, where you have a couple of tries in the second half and one that didn't count.

"That's how narrow the margins were. That's how good they are. That in itself should keep our Wallaby boys on edge, I've no doubt."

WALLABIES: Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt), Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright. Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store