'Hold them back' - All Blacks full of energy for clash against old foe
Assistant coach Scott McLeod says his fresh players have the bit between their teeth ahead of World Cup final against Springboks in Paris. The All Blacks are preparing for the World Cup final against South Africa, a repeat of the 1995 extra-time showpiece won by the Springboks. Assistant coach Scott McLeod stated that the team appears to have plenty of energy ahead of the match. The All Blacks' victory over Argentina was met with criticism from head coach Ian Foster, but they believe their energy and preparation will not be an issue. McLeod also noted that they have a 33-man squad and feel mentally and physically prepared for the final match. This is their fifth final in their history. The Boks, however, have an issue with Bongi Mbonambi allegations and appeared tired during their 16-15 victory over England. The upcoming final will likely provide a boost for both teams.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-ap-southeast-2.images.arcpublishing.com/tvnz/EGOXOA5CKJCVXNBB63A7OKUYCM.jpg)
gepubliceerd : 2 jaar geleden door Patrick McKendry in
Damian McKenzie's decision to keep running the ball at the end of the All Blacks' semifinal victory over Argentina rather than booting it high into the Stade de France crowd earned him a ticking off from head coach Ian Foster afterwards but it highlighted one thing about this team.
They appear to have plenty of energy. That and enthusiasm ahead of Sunday's World Cup final against South Africa, a re-run of the famous extra-time showpiece in 1995 won by the Springboks, will not be an issue.
It's a theme that was picked up by assistant coach Scott McLeod this morning. The All Blacks scored seven tries against the Pumas but for whatever reason men such as McKenzie, off the bench and on at fullback, wanted more.
With an extra day of preparation compared with the Boks, who have had to dig deep for one-point quarter-final and semifinal victories over France and England respectively, it is a case of holding the All Blacks back in training this week.
At the All Blacks' new hotel base at a Paris country club directly adjacent to a race track, McLeod spoke about how his own thoroughbreds are shaping up mentally and physically. It's probably fair to say they have the bit between their teeth.
"There are two parts to that — there are the bodies, but looking at how we're tracking, we have 33 fit men," he said. "A number of those guys have come back from injury lately so they haven't felt the full wear and tear of the tournament and they actually feel quite fresh.
"And when parts of your game work through the quarter-final and semifinal week, you get belief out of that, that is also a mental freshness. That is not something that drains you. Mentally and physically we are ready for this. We are excited. We probably have to hold the boys a little bit."
Yes, the All Blacks had to go to a new level to defeat Ireland in their first knockout match, which required a re-set ahead of the semifinal.
They were well aware of what had happened four years earlier at that stage in Japan, and if they weren't they were reminded on a daily basis by the media, but a final week requires no re-set.
These are special days for an All Blacks side well aware of their heritage — they've tapped fully into the knowledge of former players such as Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Kieran Read and Keven Mealamu — and will know that this is their fifth final in their history with the only disappointment coming in Johannesburg 28 years ago.
"It's probably a little bit different," acknowledged McLeod. "We have had an extra day to recover and with that probably comes some freshness. We had a six-day turnaround [between playing Ireland and Argentina in the knockout stages] so we had to manage that and then build the excitement within the group whereas this week takes care of itself.
"With that extra day we will probably have to hold the boys back a bit. As coaches and staff, we have to do that as well."
The All Blacks have such a settled squad, and have built such momentum, that little is likely to change in terms of selections this week.
The Boks, on the other hand, have the Bongi Mbonambi allegations hanging over them, and appeared tired for much of their 16-15 last-gasp victory over England a day after the All Blacks smashed Argentina 44-6 in their semifinal.
Again, the impending final showdown will likely provide them a boost as well, though, and if the All Blacks could improve anything it would probably be their start at the Stade de France on Sunday morning NZT.
They have started both knockout matches nervously, with inaccurate passing and kicking in their own territory. Neither Ireland nor Argentina could take advantage but South Africa may well do.
"It's no secret both teams will be focusing on the first 20 minutes, I'd imagine," McLeod said.
"We have talked about that this morning. We will need to be extremely accurate, show touches that we want to show and be able to apply pressure at the same time. The Boks have always come out wanting to start well and we will take our lessons from that."
The two nations are one-all this year and have won three World Cups each. Whoever wins on Sunday will create a new record.
On the evidence of last weekend, the All Blacks want to get there in a hurry.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho said: "Obviously the Springboks are very good at what they do. They are big men and they love confrontation. I like to base my game around that so I am really excited about it, if I get the opportunity. I'm sure all the boys are looking forward to it. It's the most important week of the tournament and we're just pumped, ready to go."