ALB finds his groove on biggest stage of all

The more things change, the more they stay the same for Anton Lienert-Brown as he heads into uncharted territory at this Rugby World Cup.

Lienert-Brown has put a lot of work, and thought, into the mental side of his game and is vowing to stick to the successful approach that’s underpinned his breakout season – and made him one of the form All Blacks of 2019 – as he heads into his first experience of World Cup knockout play.

The on-fire All Blacks midfielder conceded there was an element of the unknown leading into Saturday’s quarterfinal against Ireland at Tokyo Stadium but he was very much of the view that what wasn’t broke, he wouldn’t be attempting to fix.

‘‘I’ve been in the playoffs for Super Rugby but this is a different kettle of fish,’’ Lienert-Brown said.

‘‘It’s a Rugby World Cup, on the biggest stage for rugby, and it’s about trusting everything I’ve done up to this point, doing nothing too different and just going out and playing my game.’’

It’s a wise policy and one Lienert-Brown has stuck rigidly to in 2019 as he’s morphed from a useful utility midfielder into a creative force in the New Zealand game.

The 24-year-old was a consistent contributor for the Chiefs mostly at No 12 as he led a strong bounceback after the Hamilton franchise’s faltering start to Super Rugby. He has carried that form into the All Blacks, emerging as their go-to midfielder for the World Cup campaign.

‘‘It’s about creating a strong process that I trust in every week,’’ he said. ‘‘I try to do the work during the week so I earn the right to go out at the weekend and play with freedom. I’ve learnt a lot through the year but it’s been nice to gain the confidence to trust in my ability.

‘‘I don’t want to get ahead of myself. Every week is different and every week you earn the right. This week it’s about Ireland and if I trust the process again, do that hard work, hopefully that results in a good performance.’’

If Lienert-Brown sounds like a bit of a stuck record, that’s because he essentially is. He’s figured out what works for him and he’s sticking rigidly to that process. And you can’t argue with the results.

The talented ball-runner has been close to the All Blacks’ best performer through the pool stage of the global tournament and now he’s zeroing in on his third meeting against the Irish. He has a win (2016) and a defeat (2018) in his two outings and has plenty of respect for the challenge looming.

‘‘They’re a quality side, they’re well coached and I’m sure they’ll have plenty of specials up their sleeves or opportunities they’ve seen. It’s always been tough against them but as a team we’re in a good place.’’

The discussion then morphed into the territory of how much analysis and study the modern player did in a week. Was there ever enough hours? Could you spend too much time in front of a screen watching Irish footage?

‘‘You don’t want to overdo things because balance in a week is so important,’’ adds Lienert-Brown who values his Tuesday beers and Wednesday golf excursions as important downtime staples in his test week. ‘‘You want to get the work in you need to get done but you want to get away from it as well.

‘‘Saturday night is the most important thing and the extra 5-10 minutes on a computer could be detrimental to that because you’re over-thinking things. You’ve got to trust you’re doing the right amount and that’s what’s worked for you in the past and just back it.’’

So far in 2019 it’s hard to argue with the results. Lienert-Brown has found not just the right headspace, but a groove on the field that now makes him one of the first All Blacks picked.

The big selection point of the week is who partners him in Steve Hansen’s starting midfield. His versatility makes that a multi-choice answer. His form means it’s an exciting prospect for whomever gets the nod.

‘‘I try to do the work during the week so I earn the right to go out at the weekend and play with freedom.’’ Anton Lienert-Brown