Wallabies out for revenge after All Blacks 'disrespect'
OPINION
They say don't get angry, get even.
Why not get angry AND get even?
The Australians have every right to feel aggrieved over their treatment at the hands of the New Zealand Rugby Union as we get around to playing the third Bledisloe Cup fixture at Perth's Optus Stadium on Sunday.
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That's, of course, assuming it's okay with the All Blacks.
The NZRU's abrupt decision to refuse to send their players to Perth last weekend due to 'player welfare' concerns over WA's Covid restrictions was a big 'up yours' to Australian rugby.
It was as disrespectful as it was rude and angry Wallabies coach Dave Rennie was right to call it out for what it was.
They will deny it, but the Kiwis see us as second class citizens when it comes to rugby.
"They (Australia) may well use it as motivation, but we are not buying into that as players. We have our own drivers, and focuses leading into this weekend," All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett said of the NZRU snub.
"So if they want to lean on that, that is completely up to them."
Yes we bloody well do, Beauden!
Kieren Read's dig at the Wallabies
And while we're at it, we'll also lean on former New Zealand captain Kieran Read's condensing remarks that Australian teams need to lift their game if the new-look Super Rugby competition is to succeed next year.
Missed those comments?
Read told Sky Sport: "I think if you look across the board at the competition next year, you're going to probably look at a 90 per cent, 80 per cent win rate for New Zealand teams.
"That's not great for the competition, and it's not going to be great for the guys playing the games.
"So, we do need Australia to step up and hopefully improve their performances."
Thanks for the heads up tip, cuz, but we'll sort our own backyard out, thanks all the same.
The Bledisloe Cup is in New Zealand hands again after comfortable wins in the first Two Tests.
They have Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock sitting this one out, but the Australians know better than to expect a drop in intensity.
As Read helpfully pointed out, depth isn’t the problem for New Zealand that it is for the Wallabies.
Rennie has recalled centre Samu Kerevi for his first appearance in gold for two years and made a number of other changes following the last-up flogging in Auckland.
It looks a stronger line-up with hopefully an attitude to match.
Don't forgive, don't forget.
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