'In two years' time, it won't really matter': France clash won't have any bearing on 2023
The All Blacks will channel the hurt from their stinging loss to Ireland into their preparations for France, says assistant coach John Plumtree.
Ireland were in control of proceedings in Dublin, dominating the territory and possession stakes to put the All Blacks under enormous pressure which eventually told in the second half when the home side turned around a 10-5 halftime deficit into a 20-10 lead.
The review session of the defeat was ‘honest’ to ensure that the side is clear ahead of this week’s clash in Paris with a strong French side.
“All players just want honesty, and it’s our responsibility to make sure we are honest, so, in the review, we just reviewed what we thought was really important with a mindset that, ‘If we keep going forward, this is going to help the boys’,” he said.
“It’s not about catching anyone out, it’s about improvement, about where we can get better, if you like, and also painting a picture for what’s really important for this weekend.
“You know some of these boys, they’re a very proud bunch and they love this jersey more than anything, and when they feel that perhaps they’ve let it down, that upsets them, and that will turn to hurt and anger.
“The best way to channel all of that is to use it as fuel for the game that’s coming, and that’s France on Saturday.”
France were highly fancied opponents heading into the Northern Tour off the back of two years of exciting rugby where they have become one of the more attractive sides to watch in Europe.
Matching physicality with flair, France have built a contender after signing former Welsh coach Shaun Edwards to oversee their defence while bringing through the ranks a ton of national talent.
Plumtree noted the power that they possess up front as a threat, as well as their offloading game that is hard to predict.
“They’re a pretty good side, obviously. Dangerous side. From up front, big boys,” he said.
“They get momentum through their offloading game and their power. They can play through the middle of the park and they’re capable of playing out wide as well, obviously, with their fast backs, talented centres, and plenty of speed out wide, so it’s a typical French side in that regard.
“We watched them play in Australia and that wasn’t even their strongest side. The way they got momentum and continuity through their offloading game, and watching them in the Six Nations, they’re a bit like that too.
“We know that they’re dangerous and they’ve got a couple of key drivers in their team that orchestrate all of that, so we know it’s really going to be a handful for our defence this week.”
The All Blacks will met France in two years time in the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and this is the first chance for the two squads to get a feel for each other.
The last time the two nations met was 2018, when France toured New Zealand in June but were put away 3-0 by a firing All Blacks side.
Plumtree doesn’t believe this clash will have any bearing on what will happen in 2023, as both sides will be largely different by then. However, All Blacks coach did highlight that the side doesn’t want to end their tour on a disappointing note after 15-games and a four month long tour.
“I think in two years’ time, it won’t really matter,” he said.
“We’ll be different and they’ll be different again. This is a big game. France have been waiting for us, like every team that we play in this part of the world, so we know what the challenge looks like.
“We know, also, that it’s our last game of a very long tour and we get to go home, which we’re all looking forward to, but this week has been interesting, actually.
“When the All Blacks lose, it’s certainly not the greatest environment to be in for the first couple of days.
“Everyone’s pretty down about it and grumpy about it, but by the time we get to Thursday and Friday, we’ll be really looking forward to it. Not that we’re not looking forward to it now, but the edge just gets sharper, if you like, by the time Saturday comes around, so we’re just looking forward to this one.
“Like I said, it’s our last game of the year, a 15-game programme, been on a really long trip, and hopefully we can just get our game going around our momentum and gain line and get our game going. If we can do that, we’ll cause some real big problems for them.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“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?
11 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.
9 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.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 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.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments