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‘They’re desperate’: Why the All Blacks can take ‘risks’ in Bledisloe II
Insisting there’s plenty on the line in Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup dead rubber, Sam Cane says the All Blacks believe they’ll face a “desperate” Wallabies side in Dunedin.
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The All Blacks can continue their perfect preparation for the World Cup against Australia, with three wins on the trot this season.
Those victories have bagged New Zealand the Rugby Championship for a third straight year and kept the Bledisloe in Kiwi hands for an incredible 21 straight editions.
It also means Ian Foster has a Test to play with selection, and he’s done so, making 12 changes.
While some have interpreted it as disrespectful to Australia, All Blacks legend John Kirwan said it was a natural benefit of putting the Bledisloe to bed.
“Success has to give you some carrots and this is one of them,” he told AAP.
“The beauty of winning all those trophies is now you can take a few more risks.”
Kirwan said he believed the All Blacks would be far from a second XV.
“It’s not a B-Team. The locking partnership has over 200 Tests. Ardie (Savea) is out there as will Damian McKenzie, who I believe will be our first five moving forward,” he said.
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“Shaun Stephenson has been outstanding form in Super Rugby. He’s getting his chance. Anton Lienert-Brown is really, really solid, and so is (Braydon) Ennor.”
Kirwan called Foster’s selection as “courageous” and All Blacks captain Cane agreed, calling it “bold”, scoffing at the suggestion there was little to play for.
“For one, we’ve got three guys … making their debut. And a lot of guys have an opportunity,” Cane said.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
5
Draws
0
Wins
0
Average Points scored
36
20
First try wins
20%
Home team wins
40%
“We know that where we’re at right now is not what’s going to be good enough later in the year.
“So every time that we get a chance to take the field as a team, it’s a chance to take a step forward and get better and then ultimately get to where you want to get to.”
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Cane, who missed the 38-7 MCG win through injury, said the All Blacks were most pleased by their defensive effort in Melbourne, holding the Wallabies to just one try.
He said he expected an improved Australian showing on Saturday afternoon.
“They’re desperate, and we know that,” he said.
“At this level, every team, generally, the more time you spend together, you’re able to make small improvements each week in training and so they’ll be better again.”
Kirwan said Saturday was a “free hit” for both sides.
“I thought the Wallabies were really, really good for 20 minutes in the first half. I thought they were naive in the second half,” he said.
“Sometimes you want to play a style of rugby that you’re not quite ready for.
“But Eddie has got to stick with some of the young guys he’s got there and just build a rugby team.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Why cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
31 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
31 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
31 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to commentsBen Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
31 Go to comments