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'Vying for blood': All Blacks great warns of 'tough' spring tour
Rugby World Cup winner Mils Muliaina has warned the All Blacks that the Northern Hemisphere teams will be “vying for blood” throughout the spring tour.
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It was far from convincing, but the All Blacks survived a genuine scare against Japan to win 38-31 in Tokyo on Saturday.
After racing out to a commanding 21-3 lead in just over half an hour, New Zealand surrendered their dominance on the Test as the hosts scored two quick tries before the break.
Tries to Caleb Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu seemed to have steadied things during the second half, before a red card to star lock Brodie Retallick swung the momentum back in Japan’s favour.
While the Brave Blossoms fell short of a historic result, it was certainly a wakeup call for Ian Foster’s men before travelling to Europe.
Speaking on The Breakdown, All Blacks centurion Muliaina said the next three weeks will be “tough” for New Zealand as they prepare to face Wales, Scotland and England.
“The good thing about what’s happened is we’ve won. They’ve been put under a bit of pressure, don’t get me wrong they’ve been put under a heap of pressure,” Muliaina said.
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“They have been resilient throughout this whole year in terms of stuff that’s happened off the field.
“It’s important now they go to Wales, which is going to be a very tough ask, and get everyone up to scratch and really try and fight for that momentum back.
“I think the big positive is you’ve ticked all those boxes in giving those guys game time. We now kick on, we reset, and we really try and hammer these next three weeks because it’s going to be tough.
“The Northern Hemisphere teams, they will be vying for blood.”
Coach Ian Foster named a new-look midfield combination against Japan, with Roger Tuivasa-Sheck handed his first start in a black jersey.
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Playing alongside Braydon Ennor, both players showed glimpses of potential throughout the match, with Tuivasa-Sheck having had the most carries of any player while Ennor crossed for a try.
The former All Black first five had some harsh criticism of his former side. #JAPvNZL https://t.co/Un6hen46R5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 31, 2022
But both midfielders have been released from their All Blacks duties for the time being, and will instead be available for the All Blacks XV.
As former Samoa international Taylah Johnson said about the All Blacks midfield, “it’s a real tough headache” with Anton Lienert-Brown having returned to the fold on Saturday.
“We had two people sitting on the bench, two midfielders essentially with Anton Lienert-Brown and David Havili,” Johnson said.
“I was really impressed with Anton Lienert-Brown when he came onto the field.
“Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, he had some really good touches and there was a lack of chemistry, and I don’t think someone like Braydon (Ennor) really cemented his spot there.
“The midfield has been a massive problem for the All Blacks. We’ve got so many skilled individuals but whether the combination (works), I don’t know who the right combination is there but it’s a real tough headache.”
Ian Foster will have some other major selection decisions to make over the coming days as well, with Retallick expected to find out today if his tour is over.
The All Blacks are set to take on Wales at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium this weekend, before facing Scotland at Murrayfield and England at Twickenham.
Comments on RugbyPass
A wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“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.
10 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.
24 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.
10 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 comments