Ex-Wallaby reflects on ‘impressive’ and ‘inspiring’ All Blacks performance

Former Wallaby Morgan Turinui believes the All Blacks’ 43-21 win over Scotland was one of “the most impressive and inspiring” performances he’s ever seen from the team, following the passing of long-time head of security Logan Cadwallader in Edinburgh.

Cadwallader spent more than a decade with the New Zealand national team, travelling with the side regularly. Coach Dave Rennie described the head of security as “the ultimate team man” this week, saying he had become “a big part of the All Blacks family.”

The 13 squad members not selected to face Scotland performed Ka Mate from the sidelines pre-game, along with assistant coach Tana Umaga, as the All Blacks came together after a tough week in the northern hemisphere.

All Blacks captain Codei Taylor said the team “wanted to win” for Cadwallader, after a week that had simply been a lot bigger than rugby. Cadwallader’s son and brother joined the All Blacks pre-game as flag bearers for the national anthem.

“This is one of the most impressive and inspiring All Black performances I’ve ever seen,” Turinui said on Stan Sport’s Between Two Posts.

“You lose their security guy within the team on tour. If I had to choose any coach that could cope with dealing with that, Dave Rennie is probably the guy I choose, probably along with Michael Cheika, of being able to navigate a week like that – bring a group together with the right sensibility but also the compulsory nature of having to prepare for a game of rugby which must seem so bizarre at times throughout that week.

“We send our love to the All Blacks and New Zealand Rugby and that family.”

It didn’t take the All Blacks long to score once the match got underway, with backrower Wallace Sititi crossing for the opening points in the third minute. Ethan de Groot and Peter Lakai also got on the scoresheet during a clinical first quarter.

Beauden Barrett added another five points to New Zealand’s score later in the half, but Scotland remained in the fight. Hooker Ewan Ashman scored a hat-trick as the Scots went into the break down by just three points.

But the All Blacks kept their unbeaten Nations Championship run alive, with Barrett and Asafo Aumua getting over the try line during the second 40. The All Blacks are now in Bath, England, as they prepare to face Wales in Cardiff this weekend.

“To be able to go then and play the way they played, I was just so impressed with the All Blacks as an environment, a group of men, a family,” Turinui added.

“I just thought they were brilliant, the All Blacks.”