The Wallabies have vowed not to change their attacking attitude in pursuit of a historic Bledisloe Cup win, despite the expected wet and blustery conditions at a venue that has haunted them for 33 years.
A forward slog in the mud should be a scenario from heaven for a forwards coach but Wallabies mentor Simon Raiwalui said there would not be drastic changes from the style of play that led to a record win forAustralia on a dry track in Perth last week.
The Wallabies expect enormous push back from the All Blacks and a sold out Eden Park crowd on Saturday night but having fought hard to get into a position to win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002, are not about to make massive changes.
"We are under no illusions that they are going to come out and they’re going to be firing," Raiwalui said.
"They’re playing at home in terms of their game plan.
"We're under no illusions about what we face. It's a great All Black team, full of quality players, and they're going to come out and they're going to be fizzing. But we're (just) worried about what we can provide.
"We’ve obviously been working on things but we are not going to change it drastically. We are going to play our game and work on those things that work for us."
Light rain fell in Auckland on Friday and more is expected on Saturday, with the Wallaroos and Black Ferns to hit the track in the second leg of the Laurie O'Reilly Memorial Trophy, in a match that could chop up the surface before kick-off in the Bledisloe.
"It will be a little bit slippery. I think its two good teams, quality players and you make do with whatever the conditions are," Raiwalui said.
"We’ve got our game plan, we’ve worked on it all week and we’ll adjust accordingly if it is very wet."
The wet conditions are likely to make discipline even more of an issue than it was last week when the All Blacks lost forward Scott Barrett to a red card just before halftime.
The Wallabies turned in one of their most disciplined performances in years - both in penalties conceded and their style of play - and for one night, at least, overcame the tendency to be their own worst enemies.
And they will need to be as strict again on Saturday while treading the fine line between energy and discipline.
"It's about enjoying the occasion. We've worked hard and we've worked on all those things all week," Raiwalui said.
"Obviously it's going to be a big occasion, a big crowd - like it was last weekend.
"It's just about going through that process and getting those things right."
The Wallabies attempt to fly under the radar heading into this game has not gone unnoticed, with New Zealand reporters quizzing Raiwalui on the decision to prepare in Melbourne and avoid doing media in Auckland.
The team is unlikely to be fazed though, with coach Michael Cheika and captain Michael Hooper having only eyes for the prize.
"These are the games you want to be a part of and it's even a level up again this week," Hooper said.
"You're going to a place where many a generation of Wallaby hasn't won and coming up against a great New Zealand side for some silverware on the line.
"It's fantastic being on the other end and certainly ups the hunger."
The Wallabies take on the All Blacks at Eden Park, Auckland, on Saturday, August 17, kicking off at 5:35pm AEST (7:35pm local) and broadcast LIVE on Network Ten, Foxtel and Kayo and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO.
