FORMER Wallabies skipper Nick Farr-Jones never thought he'd see the day when Kiwis were "death-riding" the All Blacks, but he believes that is exactly what is happening on the other side of the ditch due to widespread animosity towards New Zealand coach Graham Henry.

With his usual touch of spice, Australia's first World Cup-winning captain made the observation yesterday after he became the 13th member of the Wallabies' Hall of Fame. Typically, Farr-Jones handled the special moment with great humour and humility and in Bledisloe Cup week he knew how to push all the right buttons to have the Australian and New Zealand media drooling by the end of an entertaining half-hour press conference.

While he also said that he thought Luke Burgess would become one of the Wallabies' finest halfbacks, it will be his observations of the mood in New Zealand that will get most mileage, especially across the Tasman.

Farr-Jones said he had visited New Zealand regularly this season and had been "quite amazed to see the reaction of the New Zealand public" over losing former Crusaders coach Robbie Deans to the Wallabies, while Henry had been reinstated despite the ignominy of France eliminating the All Blacks in the quarter-finals of last year's World Cup.

"The New Zealand public are genuinely very unhappy about losing Deans and the reappointment of Henry," Farr-Jones said. "I've never seen anything like it. It is to the extent that quite a few people in a bar over a beer will tell you that they death-ride the All Blacks, which is something I never thought I would hear in my day. They're hoping the All Blacks lose because they're well aware Henry is on a two-year contract.

"They want to see him go, and that's a sad thing for the wonderful, proud history and culture of New Zealand rugby. But it shows the animosity that some people have taken against the decision. Robbie's loss to New Zealand culture is, of course, our gain. And unbelievably you are going to have a percentage of Kiwis supporting the Wallabies for that very reason."

And Farr-Jones will offer a helping hand to the Wallabies before Saturday night's Test at ANZ Stadium. Deans recently asked Farr-Jones if he could be a mentor for new young Australian No.9 Burgess, and the elder is planning to spend some time with the up-and-comer today, discussing technique in particular.

Farr-Jones conceded Burgess had made mistakes against the Springboks in Perth, but admires the player's attitude.

"What is refreshing about Burgess is that he's prepared to put his hand up and say, 'I can go a lot better'," Farr-Jones said. "There's a lot of people in the past who have been quite defensive of their performance. But Burgess certainly realises he can go a lot better, and that's very positive. And he's doing good things. He has the makings of a terrific halfback, and hopefully I will get a chance to help minimise those errors."

Farr-Jones said he was enthusiastic about Burgess's attributes, adding: "He is getting in there. He's got his nose on the ball, which is desperately important. He's prepared to have a go. He's making oppositions close in think. But the positive thing is that he doesn't shirk, and knows he can do better. I'm sure he will turn into one of our fine scrum-halfs."

Although he thought the Wallabies might struggle during this year's Tri Nations, and that they were probably third favourites, Farr-Jones was convinced the right ingredients were starting to meld, and thought this Australian outfit had become the best defensive unit in world rugby.

He likened the 2008 model with the 1989-90 team, which he led and had also included some new, sometimes unknown players such as Tim Horan, Jason Little, Ewen McKenzie, Willie Ofahengaue and Phil Kearns. "As with our team of 1989-90, this year they've got the basis of a very, very good line-up," Farr-Jones said. "If we're patient and give the new coach some time and the new players time to mature, there's a mix of players who could certainly go on to be a great Wallaby team in a year or two. Let's hope in three years' time."

Farr-Jones will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame in a ceremony on the field before the Test kick-off on Saturday night.