On the field where kids dare to dream
Outside back admits not being at best but looking forward to contributing at RWC
It’s not every day a child gets to chuck a ball around with an All Black at school.
But that’s exactly what a number of Tauranga children got a chance to do yesterday morning as a handful of the nation’s team players made the trip to the city.
The sun was shining and sausages were sizzling as thousands flocked to the Mount Maunganui College field to get a glimpse of the boys in black.
Treasured local player Sam Cane, along with Atu Moli, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber and Anton LeinertBrown came down to have a throwaround with the city’s youngest athletes and put on a public signing for keen fans.
The visit was part of the annual All Blacks to the Nation visits around New Zealand.
From Whangarei to Queenstown, various players headed to local schools to share some drills and skills, along with sought-after photos and autographs.
After a warm welcome from community leaders at 11am, the boys took to the field to share their gems of wisdom.
Mount College was only “just down the road” from where All Black Brad Weber’s parents lived so he was familiar with the area.
He said through all his time with the Chiefs, he had never seen such a massive community turn out just to see him.
“It really shows just how huge the All Blacks are to a community like the Mount.”
All Black Atu Moli said it was “awesome” to see all the kids and families come out and rally around the boys. “They say we inspire them, but they actually inspire us.
“It’s great to get around them and have a bit of fun, get some smiles on people’s faces.”
Rosina Dawson’s 4-year-old daughter Soraya was playing a game of rippa rugby alongside Sam Cane on the day.
Dawson said her little girl had been “so excited” and it was cool to give them an opportunity like this at such a young age.
She said her daughter’s confidence on the field had already perked up after just a few minutes of having them there.
The public signing saw thousands of excited fans requesting selfies, video messages and even limbs being signed.
Mount Maunganui College principal Alastair Sinton said he still remembered vividly when he got to meet the All Blacks as a child at school more than three decades ago.
He said the visit would be something the kids would never forget.
“It doesn’t get any bigger than this.”
Ben Smith admits he hasn’t been playing his best rugby but doesn’t want to look back on his last three tests, saying he is comfortable with where he is at after a good week’s training which has allowed him to look forward to the World Cup with genuine excitement.
The 33-year-old outside back, who has played 79 tests, remains an integral part of the All Blacks and his reliability under the high ball in particular will allow the coaches to sleep a little easier before the knockout matches in Japan.
After badly tearing a hamstring while playing for the Highlanders this season, and making it back on to the field a month later to start in the Super Rugby quarter-final against the Crusaders, Smith didn’t look himself against Argentina, South Africa and Australia in Perth, a form slip which was made to look worse when compared with the performances of George Bridge and Sevu Reece against the Wallabies at Eden Park.
But he’s not finished yet. After playing an important role for the All Blacks in the World Cup final against Australia at Twickenham four years ago (yellow card notwithstanding), Smith will leave for a contract in France next year after doing everything he can for his side to win another one.
“Obviously I’ve got to play some better footy, but I’m comfortable with what I’ve done over the last week and a half training-wise and I’m excited about what’s coming up and the challenge that brings,” Smith said.
Asked about his recent form, he repeated: “I definitely could be playing better rugby, but for me there’s no point looking back on those
games. I have to concentrate on what I can contribute going forward.”
Starting with the All Blacks’ first game of the WRC tournament against the Springboks in Yokohama on September 21, the hard grounds of Japan and the often claustrophobic pressure associated with World Cups seem ideally suited to someone with Smith’s experience and calmness under fire. Although some keyboard warriors lost their heads a little in calling for Smith’s, there’s no way the selectors would have been so rash.
George Bridge and Sevu Reece took their chances brilliantly in the humiliation of Australia at Eden Park as their side retained the Bledisloe Cup, but time was never going to run out on Smith and the same goes for Rieko Ioane, who is undergoing a similar slide in form.
The selectors named their 31-player squad based on form, class and ability to contribute to a game plan. Smith and left wing Ioane have the latter two qualities.
“It was good to see Bridgey and Sevu get their chance against Aussie,” Smith said yesterday. “They nailed it, they performed well. That’s the beauty of the black jersey — you see people get a crack and they take it.
“You’ve heard Steve [Hansen] say World Cups bring pressure so there’s the big challenge of walking towards that. I know we’ll be excited about that. From being a part of the squad in 2015, I know whichever team fronts on the day and plays the best footy — especially in those playoff games — they get to progress. If you don’t, you go home.
“Obviously I was glad to hear my name called out. But at the same time . . . to see a guy like Owie [Franks] who has given so much to the All Black jersey — his name wasn’t called out and that hit home, I think.”