Wallabies scrum-half Will Genia has rated the Bledisloe Cup as an even greater prize than the World Cup, describing it as rugby’s ‘pinnacle’.
The Wallabies face the All Blacks on Saturday in Sydney in the opening match of a trans-Tasman series, which doubles as the opening match of the Rugby Championship.
The Wallabies have endured 16 long years without tasting Bledisloe series success and Genia, who has been a part of seven of those, is desperate to achieve what he believes is rugby’s greatest challenge.
“To me, I’d have to say it’s the pinnacle,” Genia told the Guardian.
“The World Cup is obviously up there, but how often do you get to play the best team in the world three times and have to win two out of three to win a trophy?
“I’ve been trying for a while now so I’m really looking forward to another crack.
“I haven’t won a World Cup so I’m not going to say it’s harder.
“But for me it’s the number one priority… it would make it incredibly special if we’re fortunate enough to do it.”
Michael Cheika’s men will take confidence from the fact that they won the last Bledisloe encounter between the sides, although it was a dead rubber, and Genia said they wanted to replicate that form.
“It’s just being relentless in the pressure you apply on them, with and without the ball, and bringing that physicality as well,” he said.
“That was a big trademark of our game when we played them last time in Brisbane (a 23-18 win).”