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How All Blacks halves anticipate a potential new game plan unfolding: 'It's all well and good picking big guys but you still need to play at speed for 80 minutes'

By Online Editors
Patrick Tuipulotu, Hoskins Sotutu and Akira Ioane. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

Will Ian Foster try and fight fire with fire the next time the All Blacks come up against England?

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At last year’s Rugby World Cup, England dominated the breakdowns and collisions in their semi-final match up with New Zealand and Foster likely learned from that match that there’s simply no substitute for size and power.

Following the announcement of the first All Blacks team of the year, there’s reason to believe that the new head coach could be trying to add a bit of mass not just to the pack, but to the squad as a whole.

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The Breakdown panel talk about the development of Akira Ioane as a 6 and the type of blindside flanker the All Blacks are developing to take on the world.

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The Breakdown panel talk about the development of Akira Ioane as a 6 and the type of blindside flanker the All Blacks are developing to take on the world.

Men like Hoskins Sotutu and Caleb Clarke have physically dominated their opposition on more than a few occasions during the Super Rugby season and the national selectors have rewarded that form with first-time call-ups.

Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Podcast, one-cap All Black Josh Ioane mused that Foster may well be hoping to counter incredible power of the likes of the English by bringing in some of New Zealand’s biggest power players.

“I think, with those Blues boys, they just bring that real physical presence. With Hoskins, Patty [Tuipulotu], Akira [Ioane], Caleb – they’ve got that real physical presence.

“Especially against teams like the Boks who are a real physical team, I think those boys will really suit matching those types of players.”

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Brad Weber, who watched the World Cup semi from the sidelines was quick to point out that Foster won’t want to sacrifice the high tempo play that the All Blacks are known for, however.

“Fozzie knows that it’s all well and good picking big guys but you still need to play at speed for 80 minutes with good fitness,” Weber said.

“He’s rewarded form, which is great, but I’m sure Fozzie will still be keen to play fast and up-tempo and I’m sure he’s confident the guys he’s picked can run that style of play, no matter what size they are – it just so happens that some of the boys we’ve spoken about earlier are pretty big.”

While their size may well be one of their greatest strengths, Ioane and Sotutu certainly showed off their fitness and finer skills in the North v South clash played over the weekend – including one exceptional linking play that saw both players carry and offload in contact to ignite the North’s attack.

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However Foster chooses to employ the All Blacks’ newly added physical behemoths, Ioane and Weber are simply excited to see the young players in the environment shine.

The selectors have opted for seven uncapped players in the squad – as well as two who have played mid-week matches for the All Blacks but no tests.

“I feel like [Foster’s] gone with a few young boys and that’s good for development in the coming years, potentially the next World Cup,” Ioane said.

“In terms of style of play, I don’t think it’s clear at this stage – but there’s definitely plenty of potential and excitement there.”

“Yeah it does [bode well for the future],” said Weber.

“There’s a lot of guys probably still hurting from the loss last year and they’ll be really motivated to get on the waka and start getting some wins under our belt to build for that next World Cup. There’s probably nothing scarier for international rugby teams than a wounded All Blacks side. There’s certainly a lot of motivation there.”

While nothing concrete has been confirmed, New Zealand are expected to play a handful of matches in the coming months – including an extended test series against Australia.

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Bull Shark 2 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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