Read tells Wallabies to forget about ‘rattle’ plans
If Kieran Read wants any added motivation for his second Bledisloe Cup test in charge, he need look no further than last year’s World Cup final.
Intentional or clumsy, Wallabies coach Michael Cheika and forward adviser Mario Ledesma were snapped casually flashing around team notes at their captain’s run.
On the eve of the final at Twickenham the Wallabies’ apparent plans to ‘‘rattle’’ Read from kickoffs and target wings Julian Savea and Nehe Milner-Skudder under the high ball among other things were plastered throughout the public domain.
In stark contrast to his 2016 form, Read endured an at-times difficult World Cup with his handling.
‘‘You kind of expect all that stuff,’’ Read said. ‘‘The Australians play mind games and like to talk a wee bit.
‘’We’ll just focus on ourselves. We know the threat they’ll bring. For me personally I don’t get caught up too much in what they’re going to be talking about.
‘‘We don’t pay too much attention to what comes out of there. We’re pretty motivated as it is so it won’t change our approach.’’
Targeting Read this time around may prove far more difficult. The All Blacks No 8 has been in superb touch, making metres off the back of the scrum, offloading on the edge, dominating collisions and the air throughout the Super Rugby season.
Assuming the captaincy full-time from Richie McCaw, Read lifted again in June to help guide the All Blacks to a comprehensive 3-0 sweep of Wales.
‘‘As a leader I wanted to have a big year and I’ve been really enjoying my footy with the All Blacks and the Crusaders so that helps.’’
Clearly, Read appears invigorated by the challenge of accepting the leadership mantle. But he knows the Wallabies and Rugby Championship presents a completely different beast to what Wales offered.
Sydney is the next point of call, a place the All Blacks have struggled recently. In the corresponding test last year the Wallabies triumphed 27-19; the year before finished with a 12-all stalemate.
That you have to go back to 2013 for the All Blacks’ last win in Sydney epitomises their under-par performances there.
This time around they head over early, rather than midweek, in an effort to provide a more settled build-up.
‘‘That first game in Sydney has been a tough game for us over the past few years so we’ve got to be real about that and realise the challenge we face.
‘‘We perhaps as a team haven’t played our best and maybe that’s coming out of Super Rugby and getting together after some time away. So our next 10 days together becomes pretty crucial and that’s where we can make some adjustments.’’
Reinforcing the importance of the coveted Bledisloe Cup, a trophy the All Blacks have held for the past 13 years, will be a focus when the team reassembles in Auckland next week.
‘‘It is the most treasured cup we play for as an All Black team aside from the World Cup. It’s something we really pride ourselves on. We’ve got to ingrain that.
‘‘I can’t speculate on what mentality is.
‘’We just know how much it means to us. It’s a great rivalry and as a New Zealander you want to beat Australia in whatever sport it is and we’re the lucky ones in rugby that get to have an opportunity.’’
In terms of leadership examinations, Read won’t face many tougher tests this year than his next one.
‘‘We’re going to keep learning and being tested as a group.
‘’These type of games away from home are the big ones in this competition. We’ve got to keep being ourselves.
‘’It starts with our performances as leaders. We’ve got to make sure we’re out there performing at a high level and bringing everyone up to what we’re doing.’’ their