ABs test themselves
Hansen insists their cancelled Italian game has yielded some advantages
The All Blacks have attempted to mitigate against the potential physical fallout brought by the cancellation of their pool game against Italy by running themselves ragged on the training pitch; so much so that the numbers they achieved were similar or even better than an average test.
It was one intriguing piece of information revealed by head coach Steve Hansen, a man yesterday on a mission to avoid any headlines which could be construed as disrespectful to Ireland, New Zealand’s quarterfinal opponents on Saturday.
In providing a positive environment for his players following last Saturday’s cancelled match against the Italians in Toyota City due to Typhoon Hagibis, which has caused many fatalities in Japan, Hansen was always going to put a spin on what was a relatively restful weekend.
The rest, according to Hansen, was earned, however, because on Friday, his players were made to work. How exactly, he wouldn’t say, but it’s likely to have involved an extended gamelike session involving all 31 squad members, with each individual’s workloads measured by little GPS devices in their jerseys. All top teams have access to this real-time information in training and games.
“Having a week off is not a bad thing,” Hansen said. “We’re quite excited by that fact. It’s allowed us to work really hard on Friday. Our GPS numbers were the equivalent or just above what a normal test match would be. We don’t feel like we’ve lost any opportunity to get ourselves where we need to be.”
Asked how that was achieved, Hansen replied: “I can’t tell you that, otherwise I’d be giving away IP [intellectual property]. I’m not allowed to give away IP — it’s something you’ve got to keep in your back pocket.”
New Zealand’s last game was their 71-9 win over Namibia on October 6. Their test against the Boks was way back on September 21. But loose forward Sam Cane was in no doubt about how he and his fellow players were placed physically and mentally.
“Not having a game in the weekend — yeah, we were disappointed to start with but we put in some serious work on Friday, similar to a load we get in a game,” Cane said. “Physically and mentally, we’re in a really good spot. We’re actually fizzing to play rugby . . . we’re right where we want to be.”
Hansen is, too — not that he was giving much away about anything else. His refusal to light any fires under the Irish and their Kiwi coach Joe Schmidt (apart from a subtle dig about his rival’s penchant for analysing the opposition) would have been deliberate. It’s playoffs time now and the difference in approach is clear.
“They’re a quality side,” Hansen said of Ireland. “They’ve been No 1 this year. Our last three results [against Ireland] have been loss, win, loss, so there won’t be any complacency.
“There’s a lot of respect from both sides. We played them in November and it was a titanic struggle. On that day, they were the better side. Most teams we play get up 10 per cent better than they normally do. They’re no different. The big difference here is that it’s a do-or-die game for both teams.”
Asked by an Irish journalist how Ireland, who have never won a World Cup knockout game, were coping with the expectation of being a leading contender, he replied: “You’ve probably seen them more often than me because you live there. How do you think they’re getting on? “Not great,” was the reply. “Well, they’re in the quarter-finals so they’re not doing too badly.”
Asked by a Japanese journalist what the key was for Japan to beat South Africa in their quarter-final, Hansen said: “Score more points than the Springboks.”
There was, however, genuine feeling for the country following the devastating typhoon, and respect for how the hosts are playing. Hansen said he was thankful Japan were on the other side of the draw, and he meant it.
“I’d like to pass on our sympathies to the Japanese people who have lost family members and property and so forth. Having been through a natural disaster myself, I know it can be pretty shaky. We’re very supportive of them.
“It’s a good way to play footy,” he said of Japan’s attacking style. “It’s worked against Ireland, it’s now worked against Scotland.
“People have said who you want to play — well, they’re the in-form team, so I’m quite happy they’re on the other side of the draw.”