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Beale's All Blacks focus

Beale: We mean business

09/06/2010 08:18:01 PM

Man of the moment Kurtley Beale says it's vital the Wallabies back up last Sunday's historic victory over South Africa with a rare win over Tri Nations champions New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday night.

Beale saved the day for the Wallabies in Bloemfontein, landing a booming 48m penalty goal with no time left on the clock to snatch a 41-39 victory and end Australia's 47-year drought on the highveld.

The 21-year-old could have easily milked his heroics a little longer as he was swamped by an unprecedented media pack at Sydney airport on Monday afternoon.

But with the Wallabies staring down the barrel of a record 10th-consecutive defeat at the hands of the Kiwis, the sharp-shooting fullback has already shifted his focus to the All Blacks clash.

"I think it will tell everyone what we're really made of," Beale said when asked what back-to-back Tri Nations victories would mean to the Wallabies.

"I think after the performance last week and hopefully getting the win this weekend will let everyone know that we mean business."

"Obviously there's a lot of excitement and after a win like that the boys are very excited to come up against the All Blacks on home soil. We've obviously got to recover well now and focus on the next couple of days."

"We want to continue on the performance that we did last game, obviously there were a few key areas that we have to work on, and we'll work on that and go in with an open mind."

Skipper Rocky Elsom was more cautious, insisting it will take a complete performance to spoil the All Blacks' perfect Tri Nations record this season.

"I guess we've got to look at the things that helped us get on the front foot when we played them the last couple of times and look to do that better," Elsom said.

"They're obviously a very complete side and they have very little weakness. It's the most experienced All Blacks side they've every rolled out, so there's no particular area we need to focus other than trying to beat them across the park."

While delighted with the win over the 'Boks, the skipper says it's too early to tell if it will be remembered as a turning point for his young side.

But the skipper admits the puzzle is at last starting to take shape.

"I think over the course of the season we've become more comfortable with our attack in particular," he said.

"It's a bit of an indication on both fronts that it works for us when we apply ourselves."

"Obviously we still need to do it well which is difficult in itself but I think everyone's very clear about how we need to attack and how it best serves us."

Meanwhile, relieved coach Robbie Deans dismissed suggestions the All Blacks will be weakened by the absence of injured playmaker Dan Carter, who is recovering from ankle surgery.

"No not at all," Deans said.

"Rugby's the ultimate team game and the All Blacks have shown routinely that they tend to rumble on regardless of personnel."

Hurricanes young-gun Aaron Cruden will wear the No.10 jumper in Carter's absence, while winger Joe Rokocoko, hooker Keven Mealamu and flanker Jerome Kaino are all expected to be rested for the clash.

 

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