Wallabies working hard to avoid bad start against All Blacks: Foley

Bernard Foley admits the Wallabies “missed the jump” in their previous two Bledisloe Cup openers and insists there won’t be a repeat of the slow starts that have plagued Australia.

In 2016, the Wallabies failed to get out of first gear at ANZ Stadium against the All Blacks, trailing 32-3 at the break before succumbing 42-8.

No more false starts: Bernard Foley says the first 10 minutes will be crucial for the Wallabies.

No more false starts: Bernard Foley says the first 10 minutes will be crucial for the Wallabies.

A year later, they were even worse, entering the sheds down 40-6 after one of the most embarrassing halves of rugby seen in recent years.

The 72-9 scoreline across the two opening halves does not make for pretty reading but there is quiet confidence in the Wallabies camp that there won’t be a repeat of such thumpings.

An trial match at Leichardt Oval and the fact the Waratahs made the Super Rugby semi-finals are two reasons Foley believes this Saturday will be different to previous years.

“The last couple of years I've thought we prepared really well but we were lacking game time,” Foley said. “That's why we probably missed the jump the last two years, which has probably been the difference in the Bledisloe campaigns.

“We've definitely tried to make a change and be better and be different because it hasn't worked in the last couple of years.

“For us, it is [about] starting with intensity and even building that and maintaining it for the 80 minutes. The more assured we are, then we can attack that first period, that first 10 minutes, full of confidence and with everyone not doubting and playing with no fear there.”

Along with Israel Folau and Kurtley Beale, Foley looms as one of the most crucial figures in a Wallabies side that genuinely believe they can beat the world’s No.1 team.

A 23-18 victory in the third and final Bledisloe match last year in Brisbane was not only validation that the Wallabies were on the right track but broke down mental barriers associated with beating the men in black.

“Hopefully we’re well equipped and know what’s coming,” Foley said. “Amongst our squad the confidence is there but we definitely haven’t achieved what we want to achieve and I don’t think we ever will. As a squad, we’ll keep pushing each other and hopefully get that potential and reach that potential.”

While the Wallabies were unable to come away with a series win against Ireland, there was enough evidence to suggest they are on a better trajectory than in 2017.

A loss to Scotland and a narrow win over a no-name Italy team hardly filled people with confidence heading into the Bledisloe opener last year.

The 54-34 defeat to New Zealand doesn’t sound as bad on paper given the Wallabies scored four second-half tries when victory was out of their reach.

Foley said the Ireland series, which Australia lost 2-1, provided excellent development for the squad.

“There was a lot of learnings to come out of that series and I suppose in maturity in terms of where we have to be to be amongst the top sides in the world,” Foley said.

Clean set of heels: Bernard Foley outsprints Ryan Crotty at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin in the 2017 series.

Clean set of heels: Bernard Foley outsprints Ryan Crotty at Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin in the 2017 series.

“We definitely addressed that series and where we can be better and where we have to be assured and that was in those big moments in Test matches. As a squad, we’ve probably developed and progressed from that and hopefully we can see the results of that come Saturday night.”

Australia may have chalked up just as many points as Ireland in the three-Test series but Foley managed to sneak in the adage that rugby matches were won predominantly on defence.

“It's not how many points you can score, it's how much you restrict them to,” Foley said. “That's something we learnt throughout the June series.

"I always back our attack when our defence is solid, when we're able to halt momentum. I have no dilemmas in the quality of our attacking plays. It's more in our defence and our mindset there.”

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