McReight’s plan for Wallabies to end Eden Park curse

Murray Wenzel | October 6, 2026

Welcoming the running rugby challenge, Fraser McReight and his upbeat Wallabies believe they can flip the script on the All Blacks and break a 40-year Eden Park hoodoo.

History tells a brutal head-to-head tale between the sides, with New Zealand on an 11-Test winning streak, holders of the Cup since 2003 and unbeaten against all-comers at their Auckland fortress in 53 Tests, since 1994.

Not since 1986 have the Wallabies won at Eden Park.

But McReight, who has embraced psycho-education sessions focused on visualisation, anxiety management and decision making with the Queensland Reds over the past two years, is leaning into it.

“You can look at it two ways; we’re trying to win and be that first side (since 1986), but they’re also defending it and that has to play on their psyche as well,” the flanker said on Tuesday.

“That’s how we’re trying to frame it; attack every moment and we’re still just trying to get better.

“You don’t think about Eden Park, trying to win the Bledisloe or break the curse, or the hoodoo or whatever people call it.

“If that takes us to the 80th minute, whether you win or lose, you have to stand by that.”  

The Wallabies have won four times and drawn once under new coach Les Kiss, including a last-start victory against two-time defending world champions South Africa.

It’s built genuine belief in their capabilities, even though Taniela Tupou (Racing 92, France) and Tom Hooper (Exeter, England) have returned to their clubs and there are issues in the midfield with Hunter Paisami suspended and Len Ikitau battling ankle soreness.

“Belief’s strong, but we have to go out there and perform. We don’t want to talk the talk, we want to walk the walk,” he said.

Former Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s arrival as All Blacks coach, three years after his shock sacking, adds another layer to the contest.

McReight was one of a host of current Wallabies who began their Test careers under the Kiwi mentor.

“He’s gonna understand the threats in our team and where we can be targeted,” McReight said.

South Africa used their set-piece dominance and contested kicking to win three consecutive Tests against the All Blacks, who McReight expects will pose different threats.

“He (Rennie) loves to counter attack, spreading the ball. And you look at their threats; he’ll want to unleash that, so its going to be a lot of running rugby,” he said.

“We like to play that way too, right? Great running rugby, we look forward to that.”