The Wallabies' fitness has been called into question after struggling to keep pace with the All Blacks in their 38-13 loss in Sydney last week.
Former All Black Jeff Wilson believes the reason for the Wallabies' dramatic drop-off after leading 6-0 until the 39th minute comes down to either a lack of fitness or over-training.
"Either they've trained too hard and they've gone into the game fatigued and the legs have gone early, or they're not in the right nick," Wilson told the Sky Sports Breakdown show.
"They've had plenty of time to prepare, they've had the benefit of time.
The All Blacks have had one week, essentially, on the back of a Super Rugby campaign."
Australia's fitness was brought to the spotlight last year when coach Michael Cheika asked his players to run up hills with their mouth taped shut, explaining that they needed to be fitter.
Wilson said the Wallabies – who haven't won at Eden Park in 32 years – will struggle to break their hoodoo, especially without their star fullback Israel Folau who has been ruled out with injury.
"The cracks in their game (are evident) particularly when your set piece falters," he said.
"I just think they've got a long, long way to go if they are going to be competitive against this All Black team, given the fact their biggest attacking weapon, Israel Folau, is not available."
by NZHeraldThis isn't going to help Cheika, as they had a very intensive preparation to the first test. What were they doing? And to think, many All Blacks played in the Super rugby final. This is very un-Aussie like. For years they were the benchmark for professionalism.
