The best of enemies
They’re the best of enemies, these All Blacks.
Busy plotting running angles while they’re drawing battle lines at the same time. Hugging it up as soon-to-be test team-mates, yet wary that in just a few short days they’ll be slogging it out once again as mortal adversaries.
It’s an interesting dynamic as the 33-man All Blacks squad to face the French in June gather in Auckland for a three-day training camp, smack-bang in the middle of a regular old Super Rugby week.
So, just three nights after these All Blacks ‘‘brothers’’ disperse, a fair swag will be crossing swords in Christchurch when the Crusaders host the Hurricanes in a topof-the-table clash with major title ramifications.
It’s a delicate situation not lost on these All Blacks as they do their best to put franchise enmities to the side for the greater good of the No 1 side in the world. As coach Steve Hansen has repeatedly stated, it’s called a compromise.
Still, with a No 10 from each side designated to talk to the media yesterday, in the form of Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga, that uneasy truce in camp was bound to get an airing.
‘‘It’s a unique and different challenge,’’ said Barrett, who is well qualified to judge that. He has one brother (Jordie) with him in the Canes, and another (Scott) down at the Crusaders, and all three come together in these All Blacks.
‘‘We’re preparing accordingly. We’ll get our noses probably back in the Hurricanes books tonight at some point and focus on what’s to come.
‘‘Apart from me, all the Hurricanes boys are rooming with Crusaders. Luckily I’m with Damian [McKenzie of the Chiefs] so there’s no awkwardness about Friday night. It’s different, but equally it’s the same for both teams.’’
Barrett said it was all about switching mindsets at appropriate times, and that it was exciting to have such a pivotal contest looming. The Crusaders, who have played one game more, lead the Hurricanes by a single point at the top of the overall standings.
‘‘The Crusaders like to hang out together,’’ noted Barrett. ‘‘They’re a tight group. It’s all about breaking them up. I was doing my best to get in amongst them last night. I had a good dinner with Owie Franks, my brother Scooter and Ryan Crotty.’’
For Mo’unga, the Crusaders pivot, rubbing shoulders with the Hurricanes in game week ‘‘has its challenges . . . we’re all in the same team till we leave the premises. But there is slight banter going around which is always fun and healthy’’.