We’re keen to keep it clean says Read
‘The way we can stop that [foul play] is by playing a fast game; if we are winning the breakdowns, winning the ruck speed.’
AT THE WORLD CUP GETTING dragged into the undesirable world of fisticuffs and retribution holds little appeal for Kieran Read and his fellow All Blacks.
No 8 Read, speaking on the day when Welshman Nigel Owens was appointed referee for the World Cup quarterfinal against France in Cardiff on Sunday, was firm in his views that discipline will be paramount for the New Zealanders if they are to stay alive in the tournament.
The New Zealanders’ desire to keep a clean rap sheet is motivating them ahead of the suddendeath encounter and there are multiple reasons to maintain a calm temperament if things start getting silly at Millennium Stadium.
They will be only too aware that Owens, a showman who doesn’t mind playing the role of the ringmaster if he senses the crowd is excited, could issue a yellow card in a heartbeat.
Hooker Dane Coles knows all about that, having been sin-binned by Owens after he reacted to being provoked by the English forwards in London last year. Now the All Blacks are preparing to confront a French side that has form when it comes to upsetting them in this tournament, as witnessed in 1999 and 2007 but has been underwhelming in pool play.
In the latter stages of the the All Blacks’ 8-7 win against France in All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw is assisted by a medic during the 2011 World Cup final against France in Auckland. the 2011 final in Auckland, captain Richie McCaw told referee Craig Joubert he had been eye-gouged. Replays later provided conclusive evidence that centre Aurelien Rougerie heat-butted McCaw while he lay at the bottom of a ruck and had stuck his fingers into his eye.
Read said that as a squad the All Blacks hadn’t discussed what they should do if the French reverted to some of their old tricks, but did hint it had been discussed informally.
‘‘Not really, no. Perhaps in our units we might talk about it but not as a full team. You just can’t afford to react too much,’’ Read said.
‘‘The way we can stop that [foul play] is by playing a fast game; if we are winning the breakdowns, winning the ruck speed. If they are trying to do that, then their mind is totally off the game and we will be killing them around the park.
‘‘We have to focus on that. Hopefully, that will stop anything like that.’’
Flanker Jerome Kaino reiterated Read’s message, emphasising the All Blacks want to concentrate on steering clear of trouble to ensure they progress into the semifinal against either South Africa or Wales at Twickenham.
‘‘We don’t go into a game thinking about that sort of stuff. Our sole focus is to get our game going. Seeing the trend of the referees in this competition, you don’t want to be on that side of the referees and get carded and cost your team. We want to be clean, to play hard but fair.’’
Meanwhile, Read, listed by one statistics provider as the All Blacks’ best pilferer of ruck ball, acknowledged defence coach Wayne Smith had been having a positive impact on his work.
As a consequence, he hoped that was helping the All Blacks reduce the threats of their opponents’ attack.
‘‘I don’t really know about the stats but certainly it has been something that I focus on as a loose forward and you look at them every week,’’ Read said.
‘‘We have just put a bigger emphasis on it, you know. Smithy has been working really hard with us trying to put some pressure on in that area and I have done a bit of extra work on it with him. ‘‘It is just a change of mindset.’’ Sightings of Read sprinting down the outside the channels have not been as common as in recent seasons. He said it wasn’t for a want of trying and there had been no plan to minimise his appearances on the flanks before the play-offs.
‘‘Nothing is tucked away. You have just got to find a way into games and probably just the nature of the way things have been going. I have to work different ways to get into games – through the breakdown and my defence.
‘‘And then look for opportunities with the ball in hand. I would certainly like a few more but my touches have been just as high but there has obviously not been as much space, which is something you would expect in top games and that is the way it goes.’’ Nigel’s ower man with the whistle, his reffing is insightful and proper, he keeps things on track, don’t answer back, best remember bach, THIS IS NOT SOCCER.’’ He’s no mug though. Owens is regarded as one of the world’s finest referees – this is his third world cup and he’s officiated three Heineken Cup finals in Europe.
Owens tweeted a selfie in front of Buckingham Palace earlier this week when he met Queen and he was present for the speech by Prince Harry in front of around 400 players, coaches, referees and volunteers from the world cup.
He also tweeted before his visit: ‘‘Well I have met a few Queens in my time some of you even say I am one. But on the way to Buckingham Palace now to meet the real one. #excited’’
Owens hasn’t always been well received by everyone though. He was the target of homophobic taunts at Twickenham last November when the All Blacks narrowly beat England 24-21.
His friends told Owens that the abuse was ‘‘outrageous’’, on his refereeing and sexuality, but he tackled it head on by agreeing to meet an 18-year-old man who abused him.
Owens came out as gay in 2007 and has admitted there has been difficult times for him personally – as a referee and because of his sexuality.