Mils looks back on AB 'rollercoaster'
Sun, 27 Sep 2009 12:51
Rising high: All Black captain Mils Muliaina
Mils Muliaina has been through a fair few All Blacks campaigns since making his debut against England in Wellington in 2003 but the veteran fullback says none of it has been like this year's international season.
He admits the 2009 All Blacks season has been the strangest so far.
"We've never gone like this before," Muliaina told Sunday News, reflecting on the five wins and four losses in tests between June and September.
"We lost two games at home and it's a rarity to even lose one.
"It's been difficult and there have been disruptions. I don't want to look for excuses but there have been injuries and an influx of new guys coming in.
"It's a tough one to swallow because you always want to go out there and do your best for the All Blacks.
"We are doing that because there's no doubting how passionate we are in wearing the jersey but upstairs we're just thinking too much and mentally we're not quite there."
It wasn't a vintage campaign from Muliaina, who failed to score a try despite playing 80 minutes of all nine tests but he believes there are positives to take out of the campaign.
"You have to look at the individuals," said Muliaina, who won't play for Waikato before the All Blacks go on tour.
"Players like Isaac Ross and Kieran Read stepping up. Tom Donnelly has got his first test cap and there were a few guys who came through in the France and Italy series.
"In terms of building towards next year and the year after, hopefully we're in a good place now we've got a lot of players coming through."
The fall from grace for So'oialo, who has been overtaken by Kieran Read has been a major issue in the All Black camp. So'oialo has been a back row mainstay over the past six years and he is one of the most liked players in the squad.
While they feel for him, they don't shy away from congratulating Read.
"I've got a lot of time for Rodders [So'oialo], he's a great friend and Reado [Reid] is a good mate as well," Muliaina said.
"Rodney had to get his neck right, came back and was out of form a bit, someone else stepped up and took his opportunity. That's what rugby is about now.
"That's why you don't want to have a slip in your game, because you know there's someone else who can take it off you just like that."
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