Sport

Aussies expect All Black attack

06:00 am on 29 July 2008

Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock is predicting the All Blacks will try and bash his side in Auckland on Saturday in a bid to end their losing streak.

Mortlock has declared himself fit to play on the weekend after missing the victory over New Zealand in Sydney with a head knock.

New Zealand haven't lost at Eden Park since 1994 and the last time the Wallabies won there was in 1986.

Mortlock's anticipating a fiery response from New Zealand on Saturday night after back to back Tri-Nations losses to South Africa and Australia, which have ratcheted the pressure up on the All Blacks and their coach Graham Henry.

Compatriot Robbie Deans has started his tenure with five straight victories at home but acknowledges his charges face their toughest test yet on Saturday.

Mortlock says the fact that the Wallabies beat New Zealand will make them come "bull at a gate, probably wanting to bash us" and says it will be an "extremely, unbelievably tough game".

The Wallabies haven't beaten New Zealand away for seven years but Mortlock insists overcoming the fatigue factor will be just as important.