Tough going for Tall Blacks
‘‘It is bloody hot. A couple of the guys have walked out of the hotel and instantly sunglasses have fogged up.’’ Tall Blacks coach Paul Henare feels the heat in Qatar
Nothing’s easy for Paul Henare’s Tall Blacks on phase two of their World Cup qualifying mission. But in a funny sort of way that’s how they’ve come to expect it.
Due to New Zealand’s farcical high performance funding approach, the national men’s team punches above its weight at the international level of the world’s second biggest sport on shoestring funding.
That means they have to do things like battle 41 degree Celsius heat in Qatar to prepare for their upcoming World Cup qualifying game against Syria in Beirut. Then fly 30 hours back to New Zealand in cattle-class to face Lebanon in Rotorua just a few days later.
Maybe an airline will take pity on this underfunded group of over-sized athletes squashed into seats designed for people a foot shorter. But maybe not. It’s the chance they take.
Right now all Henare and his men are focused on is shaking off their travel weariness and getting ready to extend their fivegame win streak in qualifying play against Syria, the lightweights of this second phase.
The Syrians won just two of their six games through the first round and should not be able to live with a side of the Tall Blacks’ quality.
Henare said his men had their heads round their challenges as they began preparations with their five-day preparation camp in Qatar (funded by the locals) ahead of their September 13 date with Syria. They will fly to Beirut on September 11.
With Europe-based Isaac Fotu (Germany) and Tai Webster (Turkey) both now with the squad, the Tall Blacks are ready to finetune their game for a second round of action with a distinctly Middle-eastern theme with Jordan the other opponent.
‘‘We have addressed how everyone is right now and that this is how they will be feeling when we get back to New Zealand to play in Rotorua,’’ said Henare of the travel factor.
‘‘Now is the time to understand that and find ways to push through that pain barrier.’’
Henare said high temperatures and humidity presented a further challenge for his players, most of whom are coming out of the Kiwi winter.
‘‘It is bloody hot. A couple of the guys have walked out of the hotel and instantly sunglasses have fogged up. You appreciate the different climate here. It is good to stay inside.’’
The Tall Blacks will sharpen up with two practice games against Qatar before heading to Beirut. After the Syria game it’s about dealing as best they can with a long haul back to New Zealand via Qatar.