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Pressure the key to beating All Blacks, says Gregan
George Gregan says Wales must apply pressure for 80 minutes if they are to have a chance of upsetting New Zealand this weekend.
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The All Blacks have only lost twice in 2017 and are undeniably the best team in the world, evidenced by their comfortable retention of the Rugby Championship.
France and Scotland have both failed to halt New Zealand’s charge in the first two Tests of their northern hemisphere tour, with Wales the last to try and claim a victory this month.
And Gregan feels Warren Gatland’s team need to maintain their focus for the entire match at the Principality Stadium, and be prepared to go beyond 80 minutes if they are to be successful.
“The All Blacks, they’re human beings, that’s one thing we sometimes forget when we talk about them,” Gregan, a Land Rover ambassador, told Omnisport.
“They’ve had an incredible run, winning over 90 percent of their Test matches for nearly four years.
“But they’re beatable, they’re like everyone else. If you stress them and pressure them constantly, that’s the hardest thing, you’ve got to do it for 80-plus minutes, then they’re going to feel it.
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“But you’ve still got to be good enough to put them away because they just find ways to win.
“You’ve got to be prepared to go past 80 minutes to beat them.”
#STATCHAT | With 41 conversions in Test matches this year, @beaudenbarrett has landed more Test match conversions in a calendar year than any other All Black in history.#TeamAllBlacks pic.twitter.com/dZUu6SBU9T
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) November 21, 2017
Unsurprisingly, Gregan has backed New Zealand to go deep into the 2019 World Cup, but he also believes England and Ireland will challenge for the title, along with South Africa and his native Australia.
“I always like Australia’s chances in World Cups because it just sets up nicely,” he added.
“I think historically it’s probably Australia, New Zealand, South Africa who’ve been the most successful. They like that format and England are pretty damn good in World Cups as well.
“It sets up nicely in terms of it’s more like golf matchplay. From the quarter-finals onwards it comes down to that pressure.
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“I’d put a handful of teams in there, obviously Australia, New Zealand, I’d definitely be putting England in there, I’d definitely be putting Ireland in there, they’d be my top four.
“Then there’s the floaters, Argentina are dangerous, South Africa are always very good, that’s throwing six teams at you if it started tomorrow. That’s how I’d look at it.”
George Gregan is a Land Rover ambassador. Land Rover has a heritage in supporting rugby at all levels; from grassroots to elite. #WeDealInReal
Comments on RugbyPass
Got a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
1 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
115 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
34 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
34 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
115 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to comments