Wales star wing George North was ruled out of the All Blacks series on Monday, adding to a mounting injury toll that leaves the tourists looking for fringe players to step up. There’s no point rehashing what we’ve just done this week and having another rusty performance.
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“This is a really good Welsh side and it could happen this weekend if we don’t turn up and play as well as we can”.
Moreover, a number of key contributors to New Zealand lifting the Webb Ellis Cup at Twickenham have now departed the worldwide scene, chief among them revered 100-cap trio Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Ma’a Nonu.
But ball supply is likely to be a problem for Wales in Auckland despite the lift their pack will undoubtedly get from the return of injured skipper Sam Warburton and their desire to support lock Alun Wyn Jones in his 100th Test. You have to be in this game – but we don’t want to stifle what we have got in our team as well. “We got to get our wingers and backs to be more stronger over the ball and contest for ball better than we did”.
Warren Gatland had asked to be courageous and bold and they were just that as they rocked the home heroes in front of a 46,270 at an Eden Park ground in Auckland at which they hadn’t lost in 35 games stretching back to 1994.
Julian Savea, new captain Kieran Read and replacement hooker Nathan Harris also scored tries for the All Blacks with fly half Aaron Cruden slotting four conversions and two penalties.
Warburton said the intensity of the match had drained his team’s energy in the final quarter.
“You can prepare as much as you can for it, do all the running you can but there is no substitute to getting out there and doing it”.
Hansen has challenged his side to begin the 2019 World Cup cycle by taking their game to a new level, which will be keenly watched by observers, though the team also have three unbeaten streaks to continue and a milestone to achieve on Saturday.
“We were blowing a bit in the last 15 minutes, our line speed dropped and we didn’t fold properly in defence”. “So it’s an opportunity to come back and repay them really, in terms of the hospitality that we had”.
Cane, one of eight Chiefs players on All Blacks duty, said it would be a big occasion for the hosts at Waikato Stadium.
“It’s pretty special, isn’t it, that one player has gone who has been there for a long time and you have got three players who have all been there before and all three are playing well”, All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster said.
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The decision ended up not affecting the outcome of the Test at Eden Park of Saturday night.
