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All Blacks focused for Bledisloe back-up

All Blacks skipper Kieran Read claims complacency won't be a problem in the second Bledisloe Cup Test match.

All Blacks skipper Kieran Read claims complacency won't be a problem in the second Bledisloe Cup Test match. Photo: AAP

Kieran Read says the All Blacks are determined to lift to another level in Saturday night’s second Bledisloe Cup Test in Wellington.

After last week’s 42-8 annihilation in Sydney, New Zealand will hold the cup for a 14th consecutive year if they can beat the embattled Australians at a sold-out Westpac Stadium.

However Read was emphatic that complacency would not be an issue.

“We’re a pretty proud bunch and the Bledisloe Cup means a lot to us,” he said.

“There’s certainly aspects of our game that could be better, which we’ve focused on, and certainly the Bledisloe Cup is a massive driver for us.”

The All Blacks are braced for a fierce response from the Wallabies and a new tactical battle after the selection of Quade Cooper at five-eighth and Bernard Foley at inside centre, pointing to a greater emphasis on kicking and territory.

Read said his teammates know they have to “start all over again” and push any thoughts from last weekend out of their mind, particularly with windy and rainy conditions forecast.

“You’ve just got to adapt at whatever’s thrown at you,” Read said.

“You’re not going to start the game and expect things to be like it was last week.

“If we do that, we’re in a bit of trouble.

“We’ve got to win battles first in Test matches, especially up front, before you can start thinking about scoring tries or getting points.”

Read said the selection of Cooper, a controversial figure in New Zealand who is likely to be jeered heavily in Wellington, was a “non-issue” for the team.

“We’re here to play footy against whoever it is,” he said.

“Past New Zealanders created a bit of a stir but a lot of our guys probably weren’t involved in those moments.

“It’s just another name on the team sheet for them.”

The All Blacks have made four changes to their squad, headed by the inclusion of 21-year-old debutant Anton Lienert-Brown, who Read said had slotted in seamlessly with the team’s patterns at inside centre.

– AAP

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