All Blacks mentally focused for Cardiff
If, for whatever reason, the All Blacks are dumped out of a second World Cup quarterfinal this weekend in Cardiff, it won’t be due to a lack of mental edge.
To a man, there’s a notable lift about the All Blacks focus with the pool stages now behind them, one that wasn’t evident throughout their four games to this point.
A subconscious element partly explains their poor execution – 18 handling errors against Georgia – and slow start against Tonga, when they didn’t kick into gear until the 50th minute.
Whether they admit it or not, players can’t conjure the same motivation to get up mentally for a match they are virtually assured of winning. That’s not arrogance; mere reality.
Most of the tier-two nations have improved dramatically but the likes of Namibia and Georgia were never going to roll the All Blacks. Going into a game with that knowledge isn’t helpful for performance.
That’s why All Blacks coach Steve Hansen attempted to zero in on specific areas and, to a certain extent, manufacture pressure. He wanted to create a genuine contest at times.
In games they are expected not just to win, but win well, players don’t have the same incentive to get off the ground; to bust a gut and make the next ruck or put in that extra effort to back up after giving a pass. This week is different. Lose, and the All Blacks’ World Cup campaign is over.
‘‘We’ve got to acknowledge it. The quarterfinal is here and there’s no hiding from that,’’ All Blacks flanker Victor Vito said. ‘‘It’s about walking towards it and making sure we’re in the right headspace, which I’ve got no doubt we are.’’
After a series of blowouts in pool play in 2007, the All Blacks were guilty of looking past their first knockout match.
Listening to the sentiments emerging from their camp in Swansea, the same mistake won’t be made again.
That’s not to say the All Blacks will progress to the semi finals. From the referee to the bounce of the ball and quality of opposition on the day, a myriad of things could conceivably conspire to see them suffer the same fate as ’07.
But no one will be able to accuse them of being complacent or lacking desire.
‘‘When you know there’s a chance you could be going home, you make sure you leave everything out there; the way you execute things, the way you move around the field. You just don’t want to leave that to chance,’’ veteran hooker Keven Mealamu said. ‘‘There’ll be no next week. Hopefully we see that edge that comes with playing these knockout games.’’
Knockout rugby brings added pressure which naturally sees most teams tighten up. Tries are less forthcoming; set piece, goal kicking and discipline takes on greater importance. Opportunities are limited and those that are presented must be taken. One moment of brilliance or madness can decide the outcome.
These are the occasions where those tricks shielded by the big green wall must be nailed.
Fourteen of the All Blacks squad have experienced the tension that only accompanies a sudden death World Cup match. Passing on those lessons about not being over-anxious and staying clear-headed could be extremely valuable.
‘‘We’ve been lucky enough to have a few of the guys who have been in those situations before,’’ Mealamu said. ‘‘Being able to share that with guys that haven’t played this sort of rugby before is quite important. As the week goes on, you get the chance to talk about that more.’’