What the All Blacks can learn from U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team
Four-time FIFA Women’s World Cup winners the United States bowed out of this year’s tournament in the Round of 16 following a thrilling penalty shootout with Sweden on Sunday.
Sweden is third on the world rankings, but the United States were strong favourites going into the knockout stages of the competition.
An ad from Fox Sports in the United States has since gone viral on social media, with the video asking “What’s it going to take to stop this US team?” They were big favourites but fell short.
With the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France rapidly approaching, All Blacks coach Ian Foster briefly reflected on the lessons that his team can learn from the USWNT.
“We’re building,” Foster told reporters on Monday. “We’ve got to prove it’s to something special, don’t we? That’s what World Cups are about.
“We need no more reminders than you look around the last few months with World Cups, you look at the football, you look at teams like USA getting knocked out. You look at the Netball and that’s sad for the New Zealand team there.
“World Cups are tough because they come down to the form in each week. I’ve certainly experienced that at World Cups.”
The All Blacks were a different team a year ago – but not for the right reasons. New Zealand were beaten by Ireland, South Africa and Argentina, and just snuck by fierce rivals Australia in Melbourne.
While they were able to turn a corner during a successful end-of-season tour, many rugby fans still questioned whether this All Blacks team has what it takes to win the World Cup.
But here we are, a month out from the tournament, and the All Blacks have looked like world-beaters during their four Tests in 2023.
Following big wins over Argentina, South Africa and Australia, New Zealand appears to be peaking at just the right time.
“What I like is the message that we’re driving and the tone that we’ve set is about narrowing and just nailing our focus each week,” Foster added during a press conference in Napier.
“We tried to make no excuses for performances in the first four Tests of the year. We categorically said the next Test was vital for us, that we grew, because we wanted to simulate the mental pressure that goes into World Cups.
“From that perspective, we’re feeling like we’re in a good place. I’m looking forward to this time in Napier to breathe a little bit as a team and connect a little bit off the park.
“Having eight days at home will be nice. (Can) mow the lawns and trim the hedges and do all that sort of stuff and then hop on a plane and get really, really excited. We’re going with a lot of confidence.”
The All Blacks will play one more Test before this year’s World Cup, and it’s a big one. New Zealand take on rivals South Africa at Twickenham later at the end of the month.
Comments on RugbyPass
Now if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy 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!
5 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 …
33 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.
5 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!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to comments