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‘Have to be confident’: Why the All Blacks have an edge before the World Cup
The All Blacks have been phenomenal in the leadup to the Rugby World Cup in France, but these victories can’t erase the horrors and disappointments of last year from the history books.
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Playing against Ireland in a three-match series in July, the All Blacks started their 2022 season with a big win over Andy Farrell’s men at the fortress that is Eden Park.
But a week is a long time in Test rugby. The Irish beat the All Blacks for the first time in New Zealand a week later, and repeated that feat in the series decider.
It was the All Blacks’ fifth series loss ever on New Zealand soil, and they succumbed to back-to-back home defeats for the first time since 1998. To say it was disastrous would be an understatement.
On a newly rereleased docuseries on NZR+, playmaker Beauden Barrett summed up the defeat by saying, “It’s not like someone’s died but it’s probably the next worst thing.”
The All Blacks went on to lose Tests to South Africa and Argentina during The Rugby Championship, and they suck by Australia in a controversial clash in Melbourne.
But the All Blacks are a force to be reckoned with once again. With just one more Test to play before the World Cup, New Zealand will be looking to extend their unbeaten run to 12 matches against South Africa.
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This team look like the All Blacks of old – a confident team who are capable of some stunning rugby – and that gives them an edge going into the World Cup.
“I think that it’s a well-tested group,” coach Ian Foster told reporters. “It’s a group that’s gone through a lot of adversity.
“In the past, we’ve gone into World Cups feeling perhaps where we get tested in adversity is at the World Cup. Winning one out of seven away World Cups reflects that as a country.
“We have to be confident. We’ve gone through adversity, this group has stayed tight, they’ve figured out solutions.
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“They’re really growing in confidence in how they lead themselves on the park and how they play.
“We’re confident we’ve prepared as well as we can. You go into World Cups and know everything is week by week.
“Hopefully you’ve had that message from us anyway, that’s how we’ve been approaching this year.”
The All Blacks flew out of New Zealand on Friday afternoon ahead of their crunch clash with the World Champion Springboks at Twickenham next weekend.
Head-to-Head
Last 5 Meetings
Wins
2
Draws
0
Wins
3
Average Points scored
20
23
First try wins
60%
Home team wins
40%
But before flying out of the country, coach Foster made sure to thank all the fans who had supported the All Blacks this year.
“I just want to thank everyone for their support, the last month has been unreal,” Foster added.
“The amount of support we’ve got from the country going around, the time in Napier was special, it had a big impact on this team, kept us grounded.
“(I’m) grateful for the chances we’ve been given and the adversity other people are going through.
“We just want to do them proud.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow 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.
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