All Blacks turn Eden Park pressure into fuel

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie says the team wants to use the pressure of defending their historic Eden Park record as motivation rather than let it weigh them down. New Zealand holds a world-record 53-match unbeaten streak at the Auckland venue, having not suffered a defeat there since 1994. Rennie stated that the squad has openly discussed the streak to avoid lingering doubts on game day.

The fixture comes as Rennie faces scrutiny following a 3-1 series loss to the Springboks in Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series, which concluded with a 43-28 defeat in Baltimore. Rennie acknowledged the tour's physical and emotional toll, emphasizing that the All Blacks must learn from South Africa's clinical play and perform better.