Steve Hansen

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has admitted that they are wary of a backlash from the troubled Wallabies who have lost their last two matches.

The Wallabies situation has been compounded by an off-field scandal involving star backliner Kurtley Beale and a text message scandal that saw a Wallaby back room staffer resign.

There has also been speculation in the media that Australian coach Ewen McKenzie could be replaced if the Wallabies suffer a thumping at the hands of the All Blacks.

The All Blacks want to get back on track after they lost their first Test in 23 matches when they were edged by South Africa’s Springboks two weeks ago.

Hansen’s All Blacks have now lost just two matches since their won the Rugby World Cup in 2011 so the pressure on Australia to win is much greater than the New Zealanders.

“When a team is under siege as they are at the moment then one of two things can happen,” Hansen said.

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“Either they unite and come out and play really well or they crumble to the pressure of it. I don’t see them crumbling. They’re too good of a team. ”

“Our job is to go out and put as much pressure as we can on the park and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

Hansen has a reputation for goading the Wallabies ahead of Test matches between the teams but this week he has avoided the verbal attacks and instead expressed hope that they will resolve their issues as he says that southern hemisphere rugby need them “firing on all cylinders”.

“All we know is they’re copping it and that will make them stronger,” Hansen said.

“The Wallabies have certainly got their backs to the wall and they’ve got nowhere to go but come out and show their fans and themselves that they are good rugby players, and I don’t think that’s in question. “I see them being a very dangerous beast this week.”

The Wallabies drew 12-all in the opening Rugby Championship match but were then hammered 51-20 by the All Blacks in the second Test and that result ensures that the Bledisloe Cup will remain in New Zealand for a 12th straight year.

The All Blacks have not won on their last two Tests in Brisbane and Hansen added that he was also wary of returning playmaker Quade Cooper who can turn a match.

“Funnily enough I think he’s similar to Kurtley. Coming off the bench we’ll be really energetic. When he’s on he’s a super player. He’s magical,” he said.

“It’s a long time since he’s played test footy so he may be a little rusty but what he will bring is a lot of enthusiasm to the group because he’s excited about being back. I should imagine at the moment that’s a real positive for the group.”