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No-shows from England and France in our Six Nations team of the week
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All Blacks call in serial winner in bid to break six-year curse
By Ian Cameron
The All Blacks have called in Sir Wayne Smith as they aim to end their final-quarter struggles and break a six-year winless streak at Sky Stadium in Wellington – NZ media are reporting.
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Smith is widely regarded as one of the sharpest minds in world rugby and is known in NZ ruby circles as ‘The Professor’.
The 67-year-old has joined the team’s camp in Upper Hutt ahead of their second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies.
Smith’s arrival was planned rather than a direct response to recent frustrations. The All Blacks have failed to score in the final quarter of their last five matches.
Smith’s longstanding relationship with head coach Scott Robertson dates back to their time at the Crusaders, and his current role as performance coach for New Zealand Rugby allows him to offer insights when needed. The All Blacks lost the services of coach Leon McDonald last month, who effectively walked out on the team mid-contract after a mutual agreement.
“It’s been awesome. He came in late last night as a bit of a fly on the wall,” said All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland. “I’m picking his brain, everybody is picking his brain, around the little things he’s seeing.”
Will Jordan, who impressed in the All Blacks’ 31-28 win in Sydney, was also pleased to see Smithy’s return. “He’s got a great record that speaks for itself… No doubt he’ll have a big influence on us,” Jordan said.
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The All Blacks are also dealing with injury concerns as Leinster-bound Jordie Barrett awaits scan results for a medial ligament injury. Canterbury fullback Chay Fihaki has been called in as injury cover.
Meanwhile Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard has joined the squad as he continues his recovery from a torn patella, with an expected return next week for Counties Manukau.
The All Blacks have failed to secure victory at Wellington’s Cake Tin in their last six attempts, a streak dating back to 2018. Most recently they lost to Los Pumas at Sky Stadium, but they’ve also shipped a loss to Ireland and several draws in the nation’s capital.
