The Japan Times - Red-hot All Blacks 'beatable', says Wallabies star Kerevi

The All Blacks crushed the Wallabies 38-7 in Melbourne last week to retain the Bledisloe Cup and will again start as firm favourites for the second Test, where they can extend a remarkable home record against Australia.

The Wallabies last beat the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in 2001 -- in Dunedin during Eddie Jones' first stint as head coach -- but have failed to taste success in the 28 Tests since, a period marked by numerous heavy defeats.

While the All Blacks have defended their Rugby Championship crown in resounding fashion, Jones' second tenure in charge of Australia began disastrously, losing all three Tests to South Africa, Argentina and New Zealand, conceding 16 tries in the process.

Injuries are also hampering the Wallabies, and scrum-half Tate McDermott has been promoted to the captaincy for the first time, but Kerevi is quashing the suggestion a respectable performance is the best the visitors can hope for this week.

"We believe they're beatable. They're a class side and a great team but we believe in our game plan, we believe in the squad and the talent that we have," said the Japan-based midfield back, who contended his side had the measure of the All Blacks for large patches of play last week.

"We did really well on those first 20 minutes, the first 30 minutes and even in the second half, coming out of the blocks.

"We need to lengthen that out to 80-minute performance. We'll just have to play our best game and not let too much pressure off.

"We understand it's unacceptable to get those results...we've been hard on each other."

While Jones has made three starting changes, all to his forward pack, All Blacks counterpart Ian Foster has introduced 12 changes, prompting some commentators to label it a second-string New Zealand side.

Kerevi rejected that notion, believing the home side will be highly motivated to perform ahead of the Monday announcement of their World Cup squad.

He said players like uncapped winger Shaun Stevenson and flyhalf Damian McKenzie would have a point to prove, with the Waikato Chiefs pair having been among the most exciting players in Super Rugby Pacific this season but failing to make Foster's first-choice lineup.

"I think they've got great depth, so for players like that to get the opportunity, here in New Zealand, that's a big lift for them," Kerevi said.

"I think, personally, any All Black side you face, it's going to be a great team.

"You try to find as many weaknesses they have and try to head in that direction."

K.Nakajima--JT