Assistant coach Jason Ryan says the All Blacks have done their homework on the South African clubs and can’t wait to kick off the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on a high.
Quoted by Stuff.nz, the forwards guru highlighted a confident start, blooding new faces and sticking to the high-tempo, possession-based blueprint head coach Dave Rennie has installed since taking charge of New Zealand.
“I think it’s really important we start with a bit of confidence, and we get into our game,” Ryan said.
The All Blacks have arrived in South Africa for a seven-match tour that opens against the Stormers on Friday, before clashes with the Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and Lions, and three Tests against the Boks ahead of a fourth in the US.
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At the All Blacks’ “Welcome to Country” event at Cape Town Stadium last Friday, veteran hooker Codie Taylor said he couldn’t wait to renew old rivalries, while Rennie praised the Stormers’ “great reputation” and “pretty strong season in the URC”.
A 44-man squad, currently sans skipper Ardie Savea until week after week two of the campaign, includes several new and uncapped players.
“We have 10 new guys involved that have come into the group and a few debutants that have never been into the environment before, so making sure we set them up is really important, firstly,” Ryan added.
Rennie went unbeaten in his first three games in charge during the Nations Championship, and Ryan said the players have licence to keep playing an expansive game instilled by the former Wallabies and Chiefs boss.
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“We want to play some footy, and [Rennie] has been pretty clear that we really want to give everyone a crack in these first few games,” he noted.
“That’s what the tour is about. We haven’t hidden from that and that’s the opportunity.”
On the Stormers challenge in Cape Town, Ryan explained that a strong start against John Dobson’s men would set the tone for the tourists’ SA safari.
“We’re starting well, getting to know the Stormers, who we’ve done some good preparation on, and we’re preparing accordingly for each game.”
Photo: Joe Allison/Getty Images
The post All Blacks ready to rip into Stormers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Assistant coach Jason Ryan says the All Blacks have done their homework on the South African clubs and can’t wait to kick off the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series on a high.
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