ABs learn from Cape Town experience
Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:20
The All Blacks have decided to prepare for their possible Tri-Nations decider against Australia on September 13 by flying to Queensland a week early.
New Zealand have now opted to train in the warm climes of Brisbane for almost a week ahead of their clash against Australia, which will become a very important encounter regardless of what happens between the Boks and South Africa over the next two weeks.
If the All Blacks manage to win that game, they will clinch their fourth Tri-Nations title in as many years.
Australia will have plenty of incentive to perform in South Africa as they take on the Boks in Durban and Johannesburg, but even if they get two wins over the Boks, they would still need to beat their Trans-Tasman in Brisbane rivals to win the Tri-Nations.
What's more is that the Aussies will also need a win at the Suncorp Stadium to keep their chances alive of winning the Bledisloe Cup. New Zealand are the holders, and only need to tie the series in order to retain the trophy. And with the series tied at 1-1 with two matches to play, it is clear that Australia have their work cut out if they are to reclaim the Cup for the first time since 2002.
The fourth Bledisloe match will only be played on November 1 in Hong Kong.
The All Blacks have had some varying build-ups ahead of their Tri-Nations matches this year. They stayed in Wellington to prepare for the Sydney Test against the Wallabies, and had to train indoors at a stage, following some severe weather in the New Zealand capital.
Their preparation was severely criticised after they were blown away 19-34 by Robbie Deans' men.
The Kiwis seemed to learn a lesson from that, and travelled to Cape Town eight days ahead of their Test at Newlands. This gave them a chance to acclimatise fully with the surroundings in the Mother city, and they won the match at a canter, 19-0.
According to rugbyheaven.co.nz, Graham Henry and his team had plans to repeat their pattern before the Sydney match, but have now decided to travel early to Queensland, where they will have four training sessions at Brisbane Grammar School, as they attempt to adapt to the warmer climes.
That should give the All Blacks the optimum opportunity to prepare to the best of their ability before the winner-takes-all clash that will most likely take place on September 13.
