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'Why not?': Wilson's Wallabies plot 40-year first
Murray Wenzel, AAP •  October 9th, 2026 2:15 pm
The Wallabies' squad of 23 are embracing the task ahead at Eden Park | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
If they could do it at Ellis Park, "why not" Eden Park, Wallabies captain Harry Wilson argues ahead of the side's greatest depth test under new coach Les Kiss.
The visitors, faced with the task of ending one of world sport's most remarkable streaks on Saturday in Auckland, are channelling last year's upset defeat of South Africa in Johannesburg.
"Ellis Park, that gives this group confidence," Wilson said of the win last August that snapped a 62-year drought at the venue.
"Sixty-two years ... no one really gave us a shot but we went out, played a good game and got the result.
"That's showed the group what we can do on our day, and now (at Eden Park), why not?"
Australia have been at pains to recognise the might of the All Blacks, even without a host of injured stars, ahead of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup opener.
Wallabies captain Harry Wilson says the group has been talking about breaking losing records | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
It's a venue the hosts haven't lost a Test at since 1994, while Australia's last win there came in 1986.
Australia haven't won anywhere in New Zealand since 2001, have lost the past 11 Tests against their trans-Tasman rivals and haven't held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002.
"When you've been undefeated here for that long it's always going to be talked about and there's only one way to change that," Wilson said.
Les Kiss has the Wallabies believing, and winning, since taking over as coach | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
Australia are, for the first time in nine years, unbeaten in their past six Tests while the All Blacks lost the last three games in their four-Test series to the Springboks.
Flyhalf Richie Mo'unga (calf) was this week added to an injury list that includes Ruben Love and Ardie Savea.
But coach Dave Rennie has shifted Damian McKenzie into the No. 10 and selected Beauden Barrett at fullback in a sign of the options at the former Wallabies mentor's disposal.
Damian McKenzie is being called upon to play a central role for New Zealand against the Wallabies | Photo: Brett Phibbs/AAP
"I'm not giving them any more ammo," Wilson said when asked if the All Blacks were vulnerable.
"We just want to go out and play some good footy.
"We are a team that can have a really good 30 minutes against the All Blacks, but we need a really good 80 minutes."
Centre Isaac Henry is the only change to the starting side that beat South Africa in Perth, replacing the suspended Hunter Paisami.
Breaking through at New Zealand's Eden Park fortress will take a big effort from the entire squad | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
But Kiss has been forced to shuffle his bench after losing Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper to their overseas clubs.
Much will be asked of forwards Massimo De Lutiis, Nick Champion de Crespigny and backs Declan Meredith and Tate McDermott if the game's in the balance.
"It's two big outs," Wilson said of Hooper and Tupou.
"But the beauty of what Les has done, especially for, say Massimo, to give him a few Tests ... there's a lot of confidence in him.
"Now, on the big stage, we'll see how it's worked out."
Nathan Charles has joined the Wallabies in Auckland, providing plenty of inspiration to them | Photo: Andrew Cornaga/AAP
Former Wallaby Nathan Charles, recently diagnosed with motor neurone disease, met the team before Friday's captain's run.
Charles was the first cystic fibrosis sufferer to play professional contact sport.
"His glass is so half full," Wilson said.
"It's terrible what's happened to him, but he's out here living his life, he's a happy man and hopefully we can keep having him around the group for the next little while."
