24 Jul 2008

Eales says pressure on Henry more than Deans ahead of Bledisloe Cup test

6:50 pm on 24 July 2008

The Wallabies great John Eales believes last year's Rugby World Cup flop will still be playing on the minds of the All Blacks, and putting immense pressure on coach Graham Henry ahead of tomorrow's tri nations and Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney.

The test build up has centred on the battle of coaches Heny and Robbie Deans and Eales says the fact Henry retained the job ahead of Deans puts more on him than Deans.

The All Blacks remain favourites for the clash, having won six of their past seven Tests against Australia as well as holding the Tri-Nations title for the past three years and the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.

But Australia's unbeaten record under Deans, their upset of the Springboks, and a depleted All Blacks' loss to the same opponent two weeks ago in Dunedin has confidence sky high in the Wallabies camp.