'Big three' return to All Black squad
Thu, 09 Jul 2009 11:17
The experience and confidence of three returning senior players in Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo and Sitiveni Sivivatu has made an immediate impact on the All Black squad, according to head coach Graham Henry.
The All Blacks have been widely criticised after lacklustre showings against France and Italy last month, but the return of the three key senior members will be provide the All Blacks with the boost they need ahead of the Tri-Nations.
Henry is confident that the trio will be fully fit and ready come July 18, when New Zealand face Australia in the opening game of the Southern Hemisphere's flagship tournament. He says the impact of the three has been instantaneous on the training ground.
"They've made a difference already, and Siti coming back, those three guys ... because of their experience," Henry told Yahoo!Xtra Sport.
"Their confidence rubs off on other people they know what they're about, they've been here before, they know what is required so they add a lot to the unit.
"They know what they need to do to be in the best shape for next Saturday. Hopefully they'll get through this Saturday."
Loose forwards McCaw (knee) and So'oialo (neck) have been out of action since the semifinals of the Super 14, but McCaw insists that his knee is ready for the rigours of Test rugby.
"It's more the lungs that are going to take a while to come right," he said following a full contact training game.
"It took a wee while for the guys to start getting into each other but once a couple of good shots went in, everyone was into it."
McCaw is no stranger to injury layoffs, but every time he has had a stint on the sidelines, he has returned strongly.
"The first couple of games [back from injury] are hard work but you accept that and just get out and get into it," the All Black skipper said.
"I guess [I have] a bit of experience, having gone through it [injury layoffs] a couple of times.
"In a team like the All Blacks, you've got pretty good fellas around you and you only need to do your job.
"If you get that right, you know you'll perform reasonably well."
Sivivatu made his return in a club game last weekend, while McCaw and So'oialo are among a host of All Blacks who will turn out for their respective clubs this Saturday.
Scrumhalf Brendon Leonard, props John Afoa, Owen Franks and Wyatt Crockett, hooker Aled de Malmanche and lock Bryn Evans will play, while flyhalf Luke McCalister will be in club action pending recovery from a back strain.
Henry insisted that McCalister will be fit for the Australia game regardless of whether he plays this weekend.
"He's made some big improvements in the last couple of days. He'll only play [club rugby] if he's right, the All Black mentor said.
A
nd despite the injury worries - which also include prop Neemia Tialata who has a minor neck injury -
Henry insist that it was necessary for the players to get stuck in at training and the club matches.
"It was very important that they had a physical hit out," Henry said.
"Preparing physically for next week's test was important and a number of them have come off injury. Just getting the confidence to be out there playing was important."
Will the returning players provide the boost that the team needs or are this year's All Blacks a pale imitation of previous squads? Let us know what you think.....
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