Ma¯ori ABs will bring test intensity to Pasifika
Ma¯ori All Blacks assistant coach Tony Brown isn’t a fan of the ‘spectacle’ concept – he wants his side to beat Moana Pasifika in Hamilton on Saturday and expects them to be clinical in how they go about their business.
‘‘It’s a pretty big test match so the physicality is going to go up,’’ Brown said on Monday, throwing down the gauntlet to Tana Umaga’s Pasifika outfit.
‘‘It’s not going to be like the Mitre 10 Cup with the ball being thrown around everywhere.
‘‘It’s going to be a physical game, with two pretty proud teams that are going to go at each other.’’ Brown’s promise of fireworks will increase interest levels in the game that features a few unknowns.
It will take place at the end of a long season when tired bodies could be excused, while no one is quite sure if the talented but unfamilar Moana Pasifika squad can find the levels of cohesion needed to deliver a compelling performance.
However, Brown’s involvement with the Ma¯ori side he first represented as a player in 1996 has stirred up some genuine pride in the Highlanders coach, who has put his Super Rugby commitments on the backburner this week. ‘‘Most of the Highlanders work around the squad [to be announced on Thursday] is completed, so Tony Brown it’s not very onerous at all around being involved with the NZ Ma¯ori team,’’ Brown said. ‘‘I’m just really looking forward to this week. It’s a great team to be part of. My sole focus is performing and getting the boys to play well this weekend.’’ That job will be made easier by some of the veterans in the squad. Hooker Ash Dixon is coming off outstanding campaigns for both the Highlanders and Hawke’s Bay, while Waikato flanker Liam Messam will make sure that certain standards are met.
Messam has spilt plenty of blood in the Waikato, Chiefs and Ma¯ori jerseys over the years and his presence alone should make sure the Ma¯ori All Blacks bring intensity to the breakdown.
‘‘It’s great to see Liam Messam back in,’’ Brown said. ‘‘He’s obviously an awesome rugby player and proud Ma¯ori, a really good leader so having guys like that in our environment just helps our coaching team drive what we want to achieve.’’
Ma¯ori All Blacks coach Clayton McMillan instigated Brown’s involvement in the side, placing a phone call to Dunedin with an invitation that Brown says was quickly accepted.
The role has also brought some fond memories flooding back for Brown, who revealed that he was cheekily given the nickname Inanga ‘Whitebait’ by Glen Osborne when he first represented NZ Ma¯ori in 1996.
The Ma¯ori All Blacks will name their side on Thursday, with Brown revealing the midfield options of Billy Proctor, Rameka Poihipi and Quinn Tupaea excited him. Recent form in Mitre 10 Cup would go a long way towards selections, he said.
The sound of the thud from a clash of heads just added to concern.
The game was only five minutes old at the Emirates Stadium when Wolverhampton forward Raul Jimenez and Arsenal defender David Luiz collided while jumping for the ball.
The emptiness of the Emirates Stadium – with fans still excluded until next week due to the pandemic – made the troubling sound all the more audible. Concerns grew as Jimenez appeared motionless and was eventually wheeled off the field with an oxygen mask on.
‘‘I knew straight away something was wrong,’’ Wolves manager Nuno Espirito Santo said. ‘‘Everyone called ‘red, red,’ which means it’s a bad situation. You see the panic in their eyes.’’
By the time the Premier League game ended – with Wolves beating Arsenal 2-1 – there was a more encouraging update from the London hospital with Jimenez said to be conscious and talking. One of the lingering concerns, though, was why a bandaged and bloodied Luiz played on until the interval at a time when there is growing scrutiny into the long-term impact of head injuries.
Trials of concussion substitutes are only due to begin in 2021. Arsenal maintained that Luiz never lost consciousness.
The result was not fine for Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, with the Gunners languishing in 14th place and eight points off the lead after 10 games. That leader, unusually, is Tottenham, who drew 0-0 at Chelsea yesterday.
Manchester United avoided a day as miserable as Arsenal’s by fighting back from two goals down to win 3-2 at Southampton.