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QUICK TAP: ALL BLACKS AND AUSTRALIA ENDORSE PLACE OF HAKA

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Foster said there was always some nervousness surrounding starting the Championship, and in Sydney, it was an exciting occasion.

“We have a lot of respect for the Wallabies, we know how much this trophy means to both countries and it’s game one. It is the same feeling we have every year we come over here,” he said.

While the All Blacks had finished their June series against France well it seemed in the distant pass and now they were into the Championship and Bledisloe Cup, both of which were special to the All Blacks.

Foster said Australia’s series with Ireland had been a good one, so tight it could have gone either way. The Wallabies looked to have taken some steps forward in what they were trying to do and they would be looking to keep growing just as the All Blacks were.

One of the areas being assessed to determine the All Blacks’ side for the weekend was on the midfield where there was depth available. There had been a lot of discussion about that.

“The key is to get the group working, to make sure that what we do the mid-fielders are working with each other so that whoever goes out on that park does the job we need to do because we can only put two in those two jerseys.

“We’re going to spend a bit of time looking at the strengths and weaknesses that we’ve got and play it from there,” he said.