Tough battle looms for All Blacks
THE All Blacks are expecting a tough battle against Samoa in Auckland tomorrow as they fine-tune their game ahead of the three-test series against the British and Irish Lions.
“Everyone is talking about the big battle around the corner but our mentality is the best way to prepare,” assistant coach Ian Foster said.
New Zealand see the Pacific islanders as a chance to perfect what they learned from watching the Lions in their tour matches, which include a victory against Super Rugby’s unbeaten Canterbury Crusaders and defeats to the Auckland Blues and Otago Highlanders.
“It’s about putting some detail in our team, making sure we know what we’re trying to do,” Foster said.
While the All Blacks have the goal of being ready for the first Lions test on June 24, Samoa have crucial World Cup qualifiers coming up against Fiji and Tonga.
In particular, the All Blacks will be hoping Samoa can emulate the Lions style of play with high, contestable kicks, a powerful front row to sort out scrum issues, and hard running centres.
The match is being played on a Friday, a rarity for a rugby international, to avoid a clash with the Lions match against the New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on Saturday.
It will not be a full shakedown for the All Blacks, who are to name their lineup today, with seven of the 33-man squad unlikely to be available.
Captain Kieran Read has already ruled himself out to ensure he is fully recovered from a broken thumb and ready to face the Lions eight days later.
Hooker Dane Coles continues to be troubled with concussion symptoms while flyhalf Aaron Cruden, centre Ryan Crotty and loose forward Liam Squire have knee, rib and thumb injuries.
Lima Sopoaga and Waisake Naholo were released to play for the Highlanders in their narrow 23-22 win over the Lions on Tuesday and it is doubtful they would be asked to perform again three days later.
Samoa also have injury concerns, with captain David Lemi and Cardiff Blues midfielder Reynold Lee-lo unavailable.
Samoa have never beaten New Zealand in six attempts, with the closest margin coming in 2015 when the All Blacks were 25-16 winners of a World Cup warm-up match. – AFP