Rugby World Cup Blog | Jonah Lomu | 2007

Lomu on All Blacks

Wed Sep 05 11:45AM

They have a lot of pressure. The All Blacks have always had that pressure, but that's part of being an All Black. We grow up knowing that as an All Black you have that expectation that you must win every time.

They have probably the best coaches that you can find anywhere in the world. They go into the World Cup knowing a lot of the players: they have played against the French, English, Scottish and Irish players, and also the Argentinians.

Graham Henry is not a new coach to international rugby but a new coach to the All Blacks and he brings something fresh. Wayne Smith analyses the opposition's defence and attack and pinpoints key players and mistakes and pressure points, and works out how to break them down. Steve Hansen mixes and mingles with the players and keeps the coaches informed of how they're feeling. It's a great blend.

I've been fortunate to play under Graham Henry and Wayne Smith. They have two different styles: Henry knows the game plan he wants and will do it, while Smith is a perfectionist. If a player thinks he's played the perfect game he'll tell you where he went wrong. He gives you every single piece of information you need to be able to win.

The big difference from previous tournaments is that the base core of the team is from 2003. They know what's needed to win the World Cup. The difference is now they're four years older, four years more experienced and they've experienced losses and wins. All Blacks always remember when they've lost and want to redeem themselves.

It is time to do that; but when the World Cup comes around you have to earn the right to win it. You have to win every single game.

I don't think there are any weaknesses really in the All Blacks. We've got some of the most talented rugby players and we're strong all over. If you are too confident then you might get beaten, but confidence is important.

A young player who may not have been given enough opportunity is Sione Lauaki, a covering number eight and sometime blindside flanker. He is a devastating runner with the ball and great on defence. Then you have the likes of Jerry Collins and Rodney So'oialo who you cannot count out.

At the moment Dan Carter looks like the best number 10 in the world - he's probably not entirely happy with his form this year, but hopefully he'll be able to produce it in this World Cup. Dan plays the game the way he sees it, like Andrew Mehrtens did. He is still very young but he has an old head on him. He thinks about the game and reads it very well.

What makes things easier is that he has a great team around him, with the likes of Richie McCaw getting the ball for him - because if it were not for the forwards, the backs would not look as good. Richie is an important part of the game - the best number seven in the world. He delivers the ball every time.

But it is the whole forward pack from the scrum to the lineouts, Ali Williams, Chris Jacks, Tony Woodcock, who make the big difference.

Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu... If you give them enough space you will not catch them. They have a lot of pace and a great step and are very strong. They are important to this All Black side. But I can't go past my friend Doug Howlett either. He's been at top of game for very long time but this year he has proved himself at the Auckland Blues and he's one to watch out for. His work rate is high, the speed is there and defensively you can't ask for more from a winger.

Comments1 - 10 of 10

Joe Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu? Are you sure ?
From govindaradjalou on Wed Sep 05 11:56AM
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Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeers
From govindaradjalou on Wed Sep 05 11:58AM
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Have to agree, Rokocoko and Sivivatu will just burn up the opposition. Carters form of late has been a bit erratic, but he is still going to be the best kicker at the Finals. Do you honestly see anyone else beating them, I cannot.
From alatoruk on Thu Sep 06 01:46PM
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The All Blacks are nothing short than amazing really. They are solid and aggressive all round in the pitch and they never allow any breaks for their opponents, they have no week points. Their determination and power is suffocating. I actually believe they can be beaten, but it wont't be an easy task. SA or Wallabies in a great day maybe. I'm taking a vacation to go from Portugal to France just to see the World Cup. NZ vs POR @ Lyon. It will be an over-100 walkover but a huge experience for Portugal (and me too). A shame i won't see the likes of Jonah Lomu... Cheers.
From brunoacnarciso on Thu Sep 06 02:31PM
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Ireland will batter the all blacks if we have to face them.
O'Driscoll and D'arcy are way better than mauger amd McCallister.
New Zealand wouldn't even beat south africa,
Habana would burn past Rockocoko and Sivivatu.
It's ireland's year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
From mark.sexton112 on Fri Sep 07 05:31PM
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Someone said the other night that this tournament is New Zealand's to lose, and I think that's the truth of it...that's a huge pressure and one that I'm sure this currrent crop of All Blacks can handle. It's just a shame they're in Scotland's group really...but hey...maybe Portugal will do us a favour and upset the established order.......okay...where did I leave my medication?
From dilly_dot on Fri Sep 07 11:23PM
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This is likely to be the most pressurised RWC for the All Blacks, remember they have only LOST 4 , yes that's 4 matches since the last RWC and the pressure as favourites must be Huge!! However the mindset of being an All Black is trained to cope with that pressure. I think there will be some close calls and some great matches, However if the All Blacks dont win, I' ll eat my teenage son's trainers, and he never wears any socks!!!! Come on Blacks claim the trophy and save me from Intensive care!!!
From ngatiuk on Sat Sep 08 07:06AM
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In world cups, the All Blacks is to rugby what Brazil is to football. Sans Italy in Germany 2006, anything can happen. Long competitions are just as much about building it up nicely and peaking at the right time. This has been New Zealand's bane the last few times out. Please, not this time.
From hafiz_sayuti on Mon Sep 10 09:59AM
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As someone has already said its the All Blacks to lose.The oonly 2 teams I can see giving them any problems at the moment are the South Africans and Australia.No offence to Mark Sexton but I think Ireland may be lucky if they qualify for the next stage.
From mjtanuvasa on Mon Sep 10 11:03AM
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It was so good to see Jerry Colins playing a well disiplined match against Portugal, Maybe as Captain it's calmed him down. Don't get me wrong, he's a great player but the amount of penalties he's given away in the past, I was beginning to think he was a liability. Portugal played with Passion and honour, they would have beaten England hands down!!!!
Please will someone buy Andy Hore a razor!!! As an Otago bloke myself, I get fed up with been told New Zealand is 30 years behind the rest of the world in modern day culture and that Moustache only backs up these jokers!!!!!!
The Men In Black roll on to victory!!!
From ngatiuk on Sat Sep 15 05:01PM
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