Ben Smith expects stiff challenge from Wallabies in Bledisloe Cup opener
Ben Smith has a triggered the sabbatical clause following the end of the Bledisloe Cup matches against Australia
©PA
New Zealand vice-captain Ben Smith is expecting a strong performance from their trans-Tasman rivals Australia in the Bledisloe Cup match that kicks-off on Saturday in Sydney.
It has been since 1930, these two teams have been competing for the Bledisloe Cup and it is the All Blacks, who have dominated it, having claiming the title 44 times including the last 14 occasions they have played for.
Smith, who is set to go into a sabbatical following the upcoming Rugby Championship games against Australia in Sydney and Dunedin has signed a contract with New Zealand Rugby that will see him with the All Blacks until 2020, though he can terminate the deal following the 2019 World Cup in Japan.
Australia are currently in a turmoil after ARU's decision to terminate Western Force franchise from Super Rugby that even saw the board's chief executive Bill Pulver stepping down from his role.
When asked about the upcoming contest, Smith, who has been capped 62 times for the back to back world champions said: "The Aussies have had a lot of preparation time - they have spent four or five weeks really trying to nail this first Bledisloe.
"It is going to be massive."
The 31-year-old did show some sympathy for the Force but is confident that the Australian players will be giving their best shot irrespective of the current situation.
"Yeah, you have to feel for the Force and how that has gone," Smith said.
"But that is Super Rugby and we are preparing for a test match. They will be looking to play as well as they can to make sure they are looking after was is best for them and their future."
When last time New Zealand toured Australia for the Rugby Championship, a listening device found on the team meeting hotel room of All Blacks drew a lot of attention and has even hit the court. On being questioned about it, both Smith and his team-mate Beauden Barrett opted against commenting on the issue.
"Is that on at the moment is it?" Barrett said in reference to the court case. "Look, we are focusing on our footy. So we let the court take care of that."
