Bledisloe Cup

Bledisloe performance 'not acceptable': Speight

The Wallabies began training Christchurch on Monday ahead of this weekend’s second Bledisloe, Speight said players knew they were not up to scratch in that opening defeat.

“A lot of harsh truths didn’t have to be said,” he said.

“Us as individuals and us as players can be the harshest on ourselves.

“We knew that first half especially is a standard that is not acceptable and that in itself is a big reality check for us players.

“We didn’t need much of the coaches or much video for that be brought to face for us.

Hooper hangs on to Bledisloe dream

Three of the Wallabies matchday 23 - Ned Hanigan, Sean McMahon and Curtis Rona - have never played against the All Blacks and close to half the team was not a part of last year’s Sydney debacle.

Though Hooper maintained their focus was incredibly narrow heading into the Test, when asked if he let his thoughts wander to the idea of winning the trophy, he was honest.

“This group's come together this year to do something and what's wrong with a dream? What's wrong with a goal that everyone here wants to achieve?," he said.

Wallabies believe in both sides of Bledisloe coin

Kurtley Beale and Samu Kerevi add some X-Factor, while the inclusion of debutant Curtis Rona on the wing with Henry Speight brings more finishing ability, but it’s the other side of the coin that has hurt the Wallabies in the past.

The Wallabies missed 38 tackles in last year’s Bledisloe opener, conceding 42 points in the process.

Since then, defence coach Nathan Grey has become a full-time Wallabies assistant and Cheika was adamant those issues had been sorted out.

“We've been working hard on that area,” he said.

Julian Savea returns, All Blacks make three changes

Savea's recall on the left wing in place of Waisake Naholo against the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday is the only change to the starting team that demoralised the Springboks in Durban, with two further tweaks coming on the bench.

After making regular adjustments on their successful tour of Argentina and South Africa, the All Blacks have largely returned to their best line-up as they chase a world record 18th win in a row over top tier test nations.

Police haven't ruled out listening device was planted by All Blacks camp

 A listening device was discovered in the team's hotel ahead of last month's Bledisloe Cup in Sydney and the police in New South Wales are reportedly not ruling out the possibility someone in the New Zealand camp planted the device.

A police source has told the Sydney Morning Herald if it turned out to be someone within the New Zealand camp, they would "absolutely" look at criminally pursuing the matter.

Tew says he's waiting for the police to complete their investigation.

All Blacks retain Bledisloe

RNZ reports first-five Beauden Barrett also showcased his growing stature as the starting No.10 with nine points from the boot and his all-round play drove his side around the field in a match that failed to reach the same heights as last week's opener.

Wallabies first-five Bernard Foley slotted two penalties, while debutant Reece Hodge landed a monster penalty in the first half for the visitors, who rarely threatened on attack and lost their sixth successive match.

Lienert-Brown keen to make most of All Blacks debut

RNZ reports the All Blacks had lost four midfield options to injury with Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, George Moala and Charlie Ngatai unavailable, meaning one of three rookies was likely to be thrust into the run on role.

The 21-year-old has beaten out uncapped 19-year-old Reiko Ioane and Chiefs team-mate centre Seta Taminivalu for the starting midfield spot alongside Malakai Fekitoa. Two-test centre Taminivalu is on the bench, while Ioane misses the match-day 23.

Coach Steve Hansen said Lienert-Brown was deserving of his debut.

All Blacks say listening bug found in their Sydney hotel room ahead of Bledisloe Cup clash

The device was planted inside a chair and found during a routine sweep of the room in the lead up to the opening Rugby Championship clash on Saturday night.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) said in a statement that police have been called in to investigate.

"A listening device was found in a meeting room this week during a routine security check," NZR chief executive Steve Tew said.

"The hotel immediately launched an investigation, we have informed the Australian Rugby Union, and jointly we have now decided to hand over the investigation to the Australian police.

McCalman shock Bledisloe starter

Fardy has started in all but one Test since Cheika took over the national coaching job, a crucial part of the Wallabies’ run to a World Cup final, and will come off the bench for the Bledisloe clash.

The Brumbies flanker has been replaced in the side by Ben McCalman, set to start his first Test since running on at number eight in last year’s World Cup quarter-final.

Bledisloe battle between the ears

“Something we really want to build in our team is mental toughness,” he said.

“We didn't have that in the past and we've been working hard on it over the last 12-15 months, 18 months now I suppose and we want to continue to build that, so it's something that when a new player comes into the squad he really feels.”

Cheika said the hole the Wallabies found themselves in now presented them with a choice.