The All Blacks return to test match rugby for the opening game of an 11 match season that begins tonight in Auckland against Wales. It was all smiles at the traditional Captains Run yesterday, prior to the gameday preparations beginning as the returning All Blacks completed their preparations before the match that will ‘stop a nation’.
NEW ZEALAND v WALES – First Test, Steinlager Series. Eden Park, 7:35pm (NZT)
Incoming captain Kieran Read (84 tests) led his squad out onto Eden Park, a hallowed ground where this mighty team have not been beaten in 22 years. High-fives were issued to a small adoring crowd before the squad completed their final training run before the test. The aura of test match rugby sits high in the nations psyche, so plenty of attention was given from International media–including Mike Pullman, Last Word On Sports NZ Rugby accredited reporter. He will be on hand Saturday to witness the Welsh team battle a well rested, and well managed New Zealand (NZ) side looking to return to winning ways after an eight month break from competition.
The number one ranked test nation (pictured) will face the number six ranked side in the 31st encounter between these two proud rugby nations. Having only won three times in their history; the last in 1953, it is national pride that is on the line for the Sam Warburton (64 tests) led Welsh team. They all hold the same dream of beating the best, and many sports media in the Northern hemisphere believe this is the Wales’ teams golden opportunity to strike at an All Blacks team un-settled by changes within their ranks.
Returning All Blacks are spread throughout the match-day team. Nine of the starting 15 were present in the 2015 grand final at the World Cup in England, and they are bolstered by Aaron Cruden (37 tests) who is now fit after a major knee injury in 2015. That curtailed his World Cup dreams [again] and his presence now will be a steadying direction for the team, in their first hit-out for 2016. Cruden is excited by this challenge and his form for the Chiefs has elevated him to the starting number ten, ahead of Beauden Barret, Lima Sopoaga and Damian McKenzie.
What will be missing though is over 700 test caps, in the form of the six retiring players who helped the All Blacks claim the Rugby World Cup in 2015. Tony Woodcock (118 tests) Keven Mealamu (132) Conrad Smith (94) Ma’a Nonu (103) Dan Carter (112) and the longtime captain of the dominant side, Richie McCaw (149 test–World Record) It seemed strange not to see those men on Friday, after they have provided rugby fans with so many fond memories over the last decade. And the question on everyone’s mind is:
how will this 2016 team go without their senior leaders?
““Many people, including our opponents, may be thinking we’re vulnerable and are rebuilding. However, we don’t have that mindset. We, as selectors, are very confident that we have both the talent and the experience to continue enhancing the legacy of the All Blacks,” allblacks.com reported. “It’s often said that when the tall trees that cast the largest shadows are cut down, the remaining smaller trees grow more rapidly. We believe we’ll see players stand tall and take their game to a higher standard this season.”
Selector Grant Fox (46 tests) has been speaking this week about how the team must not try to do too much, too soon. The side have had the best preparation possible. Players have had a long break from the game before the Super Rugby pre-season began late in 2015 and then others have returned from injury; Waisake Naholo and Nathan Harris. Add to that two new caps in Ardie Savea and Seta Tamanivalu and the combination is both exciting and daunting. An unfazed Kieran Read told media on Friday “Yeah it does, The whole group feels a little different naturally [with a change in leadership] but we know what is ahead of us.”
All these men have benefited greatly from the two weeks in camp that has been a tremendous boost for that side. Wales too arrived early into Auckland to settle the Warren Gatland coached side before this first test of a three match series. They too will be well rested, mentally prepared and like the hosts, have a gameplan in mind.
Their hosts will be ready for any scenario. “We are trying to keep it really simple, really clear and get that clarity that this is what I have to do and therefore bring the intensity that comes with having that clarity of thought. As the season goes on we will start to develop a game that might look a little different to the one we started with.” Steve Hansen told NZME he is confident his group of 23 players and those squad members not selected, will all provide a positive response to the challenge to re-establish the team in the post-McCaw era.
That fact alone cannot be ignored, but as the team have indicated, they had put the World Cup ‘to bed’ after claiming the International Sports team award at the Laureus 2016 World Sports Awards ceremony. Now the returning All Blacks are under the watch of a new skipper and talented men like Ben Smith [Vice Captain] The 48 test veteran is nearing 100 International test points, and he joins Sam Cane in the new senior leadership group that are directing the success of this side.
Returning All Blacks ready to face challenge of Wales
It is both refreshing and a daunting challenge tonight at Eden Park, one that will not overwhelm this side. The big smiles on returning All Blacks players like Ben Smith (above) Read and Cruden’s faces at their final training yesterday is proof of that. On behalf of LWOS, Mike and I wish both teams all the very best.
Now it is time to ‘play ball’.
“Main photo credit”
