'We'll have to be very smart': What the All Blacks expect from Wales
Regardless of how many players Wales are missing ahead of this week’s clash with the All Blacks in Cardiff, the Kiwis aren’t taking the Six Nations champions lightly.
That’s the verdict from All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree, who refused to minimalise the threat posed by the Welsh, even though they are bereft of numerous headline stars.
With the match being held outside of World Rugby’s November test window, Wales boss Wayne Pivac is unable to call upon British and Irish Lions trio Louis Rees-Zammit, Dan Biggar and Taulupe Faletau, all of whom will play for their Premiership clubs in England this weekend.
Pivac also has to contend with the injuries of other frontline players such as Justin Tipuric, Liam Williams, Josh Navidi, Leigh Halfpenny, George North and Dan Lydiate, among others.
The recent news of Willis Halaholo’s positive Covid test has thrown a further spanner in the works, meaning the Welsh are tasked with taking down the All Blacks for the first time since 1953 with a vastly understrength team on Sunday [NZT].
However, Plumtree told reporters on Wednesday [NZT] that the All Blacks have dismissed the fanfare over the stretched Welsh player pool and maintained that his young side are in for a tactical war at Principality Stadium.
“I’m sure the game is going to be very physical. We expect that coming from them. Every game you play against Wales, it’s always been a tough task,” Plumtree said.
“A couple of the leaders have stood up and talked to the boys that haven’t been here before about the challenge. Wales are a side that you’ve got to be very patient with, you’ve got to punch your way, and you’ve got to work very hard for a victory.
“We haven’t really read too much into the players they haven’t got available. In my time as a coach, when three or four players aren’t available, there’s another three or four that come in that always want to give their very best.
“I’m sure those players that do come in for Wales that are taking maybe some of the bigger names’ places will want to prove what they’re worth in their jersey.
“That can make life tough for us, so we understand the challenge and we’re preparing for a real tough one.”
The All Blacks aren’t without their own injury concerns after Angus Ta’avao dislocated his elbow in training, leaving the 31-year-old prop in doubt for the second match of his side’s end-of-year tour.
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After his two-try showing in New Zealand’s 104-14 thrashing of the USA Eagles in Washington DC last weekend, Ta’avao may have come into contention to face Wales.
However, the fact that Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tuungafasi were among the 11 players who travelled to the United Kingdom a day before the USA test is perhaps an indication that they are the frontrunners to feature in the Welsh capital.
Should they play, Laulala and Tuungafasi are two of many players the All Blacks will heavily rely on to lay a solid foundation at the set piece as Plumtree expects a “slug fight” in potentially wet conditions, should the Principality Stadium roof be opened.
Playing against a team like the All Blacks, who like to play in all areas of the park, on a soggy turf could play into Welsh hands given, according to Plumtree, their ball-running threat in the tight channels and strong kicking game.
That doesn’t even take into account the emotional factor of taking on the All Blacks in front of a sold-out, 74,000-capacity home crowd, which Plumtree said will lift the spirits of the Welsh players.
“The psyche of the Welsh boys is that they’ll be really up for this game, they’ll be really excited about it. They know it’ll be a pretty big challenge, but they will be very motivated,” he said.
“Certainly what you can expect is every individual will play above their game that they normally play, and that will make them pretty tough [to beat].
“If you watch the Welsh play, they’re a very patient side, they build a lot of pressure through carrying the ball off 9, particularly, and they’ll be patient with their kicking game as well, so they use that to gain territory.
“If it’s a little bit wet at the stadium and the roof’s open, then, for want of a better word, it’ll be a real slug fight, potentially on a pretty soft ground.
“Tactically, we’ll have to be very smart and take our opportunities when we do get territory because we know that they’ll be working really hard defensively and they’ll be looking to build pressure with that ball.”
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments