Dan Carter
Richie McCaw (R) and Dan Carter of New Zealand's All Blacks pose after playing their last game in Christchurch, beating Argentina in their Rugby Championship match at AMI Stadium in Christchurch, July 17, 2015. REUTERS/Anthony Phelps

New Zealand rugby veteran Dan Carter claimed that winning the Bledisloe Cup would be “huge” for the All Blacks despite having held the title for more than a decade. However, the Kiwi star understands New Zealand has to bring their “A game” to retain the trophy against an “in-form” Wallabies on Saturday night’s Rugby Championship decider and Bledisloe Cup opener.

Carter, who was part of New Zealand’s 2011 Rugby World Cup winning team, confessed that winning the cup means a lot to New Zealand as well as to the All Blacks. However, the veteran admitted the road to holding the Bledisloe trophy will not be easy, especially with Australia coming off from impressive wins against South Africa and Argentina. Carter also added that playing at ANZ Stadium in Sydney will boost Wallabies’ confidence.

"[Wallabies] They've put a lot of work into their physicality. Over the years they've always been extremely dangerous with ball in hand, and that added physicality they've brought has been notable, and probably gives them a bit more of an all-round game now,” Carter said, according to Sydney Morning Herald.

Australia last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2003 after the Wallabies’ won eight of 11 Tests against New Zealand. The All Blacks won it back in Carter’s first year in Test rugby in 2003, and New Zealand has been holding the trophy ever since.

The 33-year-old Carter will be playing his 105th Test with the All Blacks on Saturday, but it will be his last game with New Zealand. The athlete is reportedly signed to play Racing Metro after the World Cup.

Meanwhile, Wallabies may have regained Michael Hooper’s service after being cleared to play for the Rugby Championship decider but Australia will be without premier lineout jumper Rob Simmons. According to ABC.net.au, Simmons will miss the Bledisloe Cup series after undergoing wrist surgery but is expected to play next month in Wallabies’ USA tour.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika was disappointed that the 52-Test veteran will be out against the All Blacks. Simmons’ injury will give James Horwill a return at Wallabies’ starting lineup, with no other player to be called into the squad.

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