New Zealand All Blacks

It is interesting to see the intensive training that the All Blacks went through, prior to the Welsh Test, both outside on the field and inside. Tactical discussions, fun skill training and the hard yards outside, like individually pushing two players in a mini scrum. I am sure this and more goes on before every game with plenty more training done personally by each and every player in the All Blacks Team.

After the Welsh Test the All Blacks were very disappointed not to have performed the Haka. They had received a guarantee and the change in position for a game last year that this year they would be able to perform the Haka directly prior to the game, however, this was not to be. The timing and performance of the Haka before kick-off has been a 100 year tradition from the All Blacks team matches. The players didn’t take the Haka decision likely and this time instead performed it in their changing room before the game.

Richie McCaw said that the All Blacks were happy with their performance on the four week tour to UK/Europe. On his sin bin episode, he did agree that he had been warned prior and would not say further until he had seen the replay and studied it.

Graham Henry, the All Blacks coach, said the All Blacks are a talented team who want to play. They are a self motivated team and we do our best to look after them. He is also realistic pointing out that sides often bounce back and win the World Cup, so nothing is guaranteed.