All Blacks: Rookies given the Bledisloe message

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Senior All Blacks have held a meeting with the squad's newcomers to ensure they recognise the importance of the looming challenge against Australia.

Coaches were invited but the gathering on Sunday was organised and led by the old hands, including captain Richie McCaw and veteran hooker Keven Mealamu, who spelled out exactly what was expected of the squad ahead of Saturday's Rugby Championship opener against the Wallabies in Sydney.

The match is a groundbreaking one, given it is the first of the inaugural championship, with Argentina joining the old firm of New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, but retaining the Bledisloe Cup was number one on the agenda.

"We set the scene last night," said utility back Tamati Ellison, who with two test caps - against Italy and Ireland - qualifies as a newcomer.

"It was awesome, I think everyone got some good words from the older boys, the leaders, and I think everyone is really keen to get out there and do what we can.

"It's respect more than anything," Ellison said of the theme of the evening. "Respect for the jersey, the Australians, the Bledisloe Cup.

"We know the history but I guess until you get out on the field, that's when you really taste it. I haven't yet, but it would be an honour to get out there."

Ellison, likely to be on the reserves bench at ANZ Stadium as Sonny Bill Williams is now officially in the fold, wasn't the only one to appreciate the briefing.

It is the first Bledisloe Cup test for assistant coaches Ian Foster and Aussie McLean too, with Foster expecting an increase in intensity this week compared with his first assignment against Ireland in June.

Asked about the importance of the Bledisloe Cup, which the All Blacks have held since 2003, Foster said: "Certainly when you're on the outside and watching you do [recognise it]. And when you're on the inside sitting next to and hearing guys that have been there and done that and know how tough these games are, it's a really good indicator for all of us of the challenge ahead."

In keeping with the heightened expectations, the Chiefs players within the squad quickly made their presence felt in training yesterday after sitting out contact work over the previous two days because of their heavy schedule this season.

With Williams finally in camp following his clearance from new club Panasonic, the Chiefs took a defence session at Trusts Stadium in west Auckland which went down well with the others, according to Ellison.

"Everyone had a lot of respect for Liam [Messam] and the boys who were running that ... it's awesome to have them back, they're really confident and ready to contribute," he said.

For Foster the message remains a simple one: "It's exactly the same challenge as what we had in June, which is to make sure we don't go in too complex," he said. "We don't try to overtrain, don't try to put too much information in, we go over there with a very simple game. Clearly when you're playing Aussie you need a few more options up your sleeve [but] it's about getting balance, not putting too much in the players' heads."

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