TOKYO - The All Blacks and the Wallabies began gearing up for their Bledisloe Cup clash here on Saturday by tackling sushi and preparing to dodge an approaching typhoon.

TOKYO - The All Blacks and the Wallabies began gearing up for their Bledisloe Cup clash here on Saturday by tackling sushi and preparing to dodge an approaching typhoon.

A heavy storm is set to pass over the Pacific Coast of Japan today and some players are worried, but they are excited by being in a new country.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans made a point of telling his men to explore local culture.

"I am excited. I hear there will be a mini-typhoon (today), so that should be interesting," said Australian vice-captain Berrick Barnes.

"I suppose there's that balance between getting out and seeing the sights and enjoying yourselves and remaining focused on football ahead."

The New Zealanders are also set to explore the Japanese capital before shifting to high gear for the match, said fullback Mils Muliaina.

"That's one of the things that the boys have talked about since we came. We have a sushi place here, teriyaki chicken and things like that," he said, after surveying the team's hotel.

New Zealand are determined to continue their successful run against Australia, and Barnes stressed his team must do more to halt their six-match losing streak against their arch-rivals.

"History has proven that we probably haven't played strategically as well as the All Blacks have," Barnes said. - Sapa-AFP