'Pushes and shoves going on': All Blacks training gets feisty in Bordeaux
There’s no rest for the wicked and no room for error for an All Blacks team with the unfamiliar challenge of a do-or-die pool stage clash.
The gravity of the situation has certainly not been lost on the team as tempers appear to have flared in an intense training session during the team’s bye week in Bordeaux.
Two historic losses against South Africa and France have no doubt added an edge to the camp, with both those recent performances leaving much to be desired from the three-time world champions.
The common theme is an inaccurate forward pack; penalties conceded in the scrum and lineout are accompanied by turnovers lost at the breakdown as pressing concerns for the team.
All areas will need to be addressed before the All Blacks’ pivotal round four Test against Italy.
Reports would suggest the forwards are feeling the pinch too, as wing Will Jordan alluded to when speaking to media on Thursday.
“This is a key week for us to grow our game and try a few things,” Jordan said. “When you get everyone competing for spots, it always riles the intensity up. It was a good hitout today, and the forwards by the sounds of it were going hammer and tongs.”
Halfback Aaron Smith was also happy to see the intensity ramp up.
“When there’s not a game at the end of the week, you can have more intensity in training,” he said.
“It was nice to get out in the sun, tuck some running under the legs, but also good contact and load.
“Having 30-odd players going hammer and tongs is fun. Tempers and emotions get up. But if you can build that resilience and hardness against your mates, it puts you in good stead later.”
The intensity of the forwards’ training session was attested to by All Blacks defence coach Scott McLeod, who made no secret of the intent in the group.”
“The boys were blowing towards the end,” said McLeod. “We felt as though we could get a fair bit of work into them, particularly in the areas around our skillset and some discipline work.
“So we pushed them quite hard in that space. There might have been a couple of pushes and shoves going on, which was good. It was intense stuff – short transitions, physicality up and we’re running them a little bit more as well.”
All signs point to healthy competition within the team, with question marks over selections due to health and a two-game suspension being served by prop Ethan de Groot.
The tough trainings aren’t likely to ease up either, as the coaches intend to push the intensity to somewhat simulate in-game pressure and test the players’ accuracy.
“We reviewed hard. What are some consistent things that we want to work on? We’ve done that today, but on Friday we’re really going to push the boat out in terms of some pressure-on scenarios where we haven’t executed as well as we could have.”
In terms of reviewing, as the World Cup progresses, trends are becoming clearer and as many teams have mentioned in the lead-up to the tournament, the side that adapts and grows the most throughout the competition will likely lift the Webb Ellis Cup on October 28 in Paris.
“We found referees are rewarding the breakdown 60% to the defence. So that’s a big shift (compared to the Rugby Championship). If you’re winning the race to the ball and getting your hands on, they’re rewarding the defence a little bit more.
“What we’ve been working on is getting our tackler out. They’re really hot on that. So if we can get him out and still win that race… Other teams that are kicking a lot have been winning. It’s an area that we’re talking about as coaches; what does that mean for us and how do we do that smarter?
“From the way France kicked and the way we dealt with that, other teams will want to do that. It’s an area we’re working on.
“It showed in the last World Cup as well. South Africa kicked the crap out of it, it worked for them, and I imagine they might look to do the same. Northern Hemisphere teams want to kick the ball – so we’ve got to be ready for that.”
While Italy have never beaten the All Blacks, the team’s form has been trending very positively and the threat of a first-ever victory is as real as ever after Azzurri wins over Australia and Wales in 2022.
“They’re playing a different pattern to anyone else,” McLeod said. “They’re wanting to get the ball into the middle very quickly and then have a lot of numbers to swing around. It’s similar to France, but they’ve got more structure. They play with LQB – lightning quick ball – and their skill level has gone up through the forwards and backs.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Kinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to comments