Olympic gold gives inspiration to ABs

By: Guy Heveldt | Rugby News | Tuesday August 14 2012 7:23

Olympic gold is giving inspiration to the All Blacks to get their defence of the Bledisloe Cup off on the right foot.

The All Blacks take on the Wallabies in the first match of the new Rugby Championship on Saturday, just days after New Zealand's Olympians collected 13 medals in London.

Hooker Andrew Hore says they've drawn motivation from the last fortnight.

"Pretty special seeing the rowers, and others, do well and win gold. The training those lads do, sneak down into the wet and cold by themselves and get into it, so it's pretty special what goes on."

Hore says they've drummed the importance of the Bledisloe Cup into the squad.

"Obviously it's a pretty special cup, and it's something we've had for a while and took a long time for some of the boys to get a drink out of it so hopefully we can keep doing that."

Hore is up against fellow All Blacks veteran Keven Mealamu for the starting hooker spot against the Wallabies.

He says their competition is healthy inside the squad.

"Same old really, he's a champion. If you want to play in front or behind someone you couldn't get a better guy than Kevvie, it's something we've been doing for a few years now."

The All Blacks side will be named on Thursday.

The Wallabies side is named today with Berrick Barnes set to get the nod at first five ahead of Quade Cooper in a lineup expected to contain eight Waratahs players.

Photo: Getty Images

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All Blacks | Olypmics |