'We're pretty p****d off': How Japan Test 'woke' All Blacks up before Welsh demolition
Flanker Dalton Papali’i believes the win over Wales has helped the All Blacks “realise what we’re capable of” after an up and down international season.
The All Blacks survived a scare last weekend against Japan in Tokyo, but may have silenced some critics for at least another week with a dominant display on Sunday morning (NZT).
Without regular captain Sam Cane, Papali’i was given the chance to start against Wales and did the black jersey justice as the visitors raced out to an early lead.
Two tries to hooker Codie Taylor helped the men in black take control of the Test with a 17-nil lead inside 20 minutes.
But the real damage came in the second half as the visitors scored four answered tries to silence the Welsh crowd at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.
After a difficult year which has included losses to Ireland, South Africa and Argentina, Papali’i said the All Blacks were “p****d off” and motivated every time Wales scored.
“It makes us realise what we’re capable of,” Papalii said after the 32-point win.
“Japan really woke us up and we knew we had to be accountable for each other and especially on ourselves.
“Going in and putting a performance like that and the way we trained throughout the week, really showed us what we’re capable of.
“We got to just keep repeating that.
Damian McKenzie has given the All Blacks selectors some food for thought. #AllBlacks
?? @TomVinicombehttps://t.co/uhpleAAQC1
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“We’re pretty p****d off at our performance last week against Japan and we went into this week holding boys accountable, but most importantly holding yourself accountable.
“It sort of showed on the field how when they scored we’re sort of p****d off, we wanted to get back down there and put points on.”
With an opportunity to shine in the All Blacks starting side with captain Cane having been ruled out, Papali’i made an almost immediate impact on the Test.
Papali’i played a crucial role in the opening try of the Test, beating two defenders as eh made a 20 metre burst into the Welsh 22.
The 25-year-old was one of New Zealand’s best on the night as well, constantly sniping around the breakdown and getting busy on the defensive side of the ball as well – having made the most tackles of any All Black.
Papali’i shone alongside a new-look backrow trio alongside Shannon Frizell and Ardie Savea, with the latter having been described as the “best loosie in the world.”
“Those two players of their status, for me it’s a privilege going out there and playing with those boys,” he said.
“Having them next to you and going down in a scrum and looking next to you, you know those are your two other loosies and it really lifts you up.
“For me personally I try to bring the energy, but when you have those two boys next to me, looking at them just really fires me up.
Aaron Smith's running game came back at an opportune time for the All Blacks in Cardiff. #WALvNZL https://t.co/0B8aTS0gEQ
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 6, 2022
“(Savea) is the best loosie in the world… it’s pretty awesome.”
While the team were under immense pressure earlier in this year to turn their form around, the All Blacks are now on a five-Test winning streak.
Papali’i revealed he gets quite nervous before a Test match, and said it’s a “weight off the shoulders” for the players to have won a game like that.
“Before games, other boys are calm but I’m just trying to control my panic mode.
“Having a win like that and going into (the) changerooms and having a beer with the boys, you sit down and your breathing is really slow… it’s one of the best feelings I have after a game like that.”
The All Blacks have two more Test matches to play this year before their end-of-year tour comes to an end.
Next up for the men in black is a trip to Murrayfield to take on Scotland, before a blockbuster against England at Twickenham the week after.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
27 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
26 Go to comments