Rugby: Aussies' hoodoo mission No 2

Adam Ashley-Cooper. Photo / Getty Images

One hoodoo down, one to go tomorrow.

That's Wallabies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper's refreshingly straightforward thinking as the Wallabies aim to avert a record-breaking 10th straight loss to the All Blacks.

Tomorrow's final 2010 Tri-Nations test at ANZ Stadium in Sydney may be a dead rubber - but there's huge pride at stake as New Zealand try to complete a series sweep and the Wallabies try to stop the awful rot against their arch-rivals.

"They've travelled too far for it to be a dead rubber and any test match against the Kiwis is too special to be labelled a dead rubber," said Ashley-Cooper.

Buoyed by their heart-stopping breakthrough victory over the Springboks in Bloemfontein last Saturday - their first at altitude there in 47 years - he said the Wallabies were up for shedding another burdensome fact.

"That was a hoodoo that was broken after 47 years, so if we can do that I think a nine or 10-game losing streak is possible," he said. "We feel the gap is closing between us and the Kiwis but we've still got a long way to go."

After playing successive tests in South Africa and enduring the long-haul flight to get home on Monday, Ashley-Cooper shrugged off suggestions that the Wallabies' schedule may put them at a disadvantage against the well-rested All Blacks.

"You don't worry about it," he said. "The more you worry about it the more you create doubt. You've just got to take what you're given."

The All Blacks will, at least, be without injured playmaker Dan Carter, with youngster Aaron Cruden stepping in at five-eighth.

"Cruden is very talented and has played with the majority of that backline," said Ashley-Cooper. "They might lose a little bit with Carter's direction but Cruden is more than talented enough to fill those boots."

While the Wallabies' young backline sparkled in Bloemfontein, Ashley-Cooper talked up their All Blacks rivals who have cut up all opponents up this season.

"It's easily the best competing backline in world rugby at the moment," he said.

"They're just very talented - I mean just so dynamic, threatening from all over the backline and attack, strong in defence."

- AAP