New Zealand assistant coach Wayne Smith has drawn on his own experience to inspire the All Blacks as they aim to retain both the Bledisloe Cup and the Tri-Nations title against Australia.
Smith and Sir Brian Lochore, the World Cup-winning coach and current New Zealand selector, have driven home the importance of keeping hold of both pieces of silverware.
Full-back Mils Muliaina revealed that Lochore had spoken to the squad ahead of tomorrow’s clash with the Wallabies, while senior players Anton Oliver, Richie McCaw and Aaron Mauger had also held court on the rivalry.
Smith was fly-half in the team that broke the green and gold stranglehold on the Bledisloe Cup in the early 1980s.
“It was my first tour and the Aussies were carrying the cup around and it was a difficult experience,” he said.
“Winning it back in ’84 was a highlight of my career.”
Smith also insisted that moves to prevent the media from watching the week’s final training session were needed to avoid giving away vital game plans ahead of the Eden Park contest and in the run-up to this autumn’s World Cup in France.
“It would be counter-productive to show everything that we are hoping to use,” Smith added.
“We are developing a game – we’re in a phase that we haven’t peaked and we don’t want to peak.”
Smith and Sir Brian Lochore, the World Cup-winning coach and current New Zealand selector, have driven home the importance of keeping hold of both pieces of silverware.
Full-back Mils Muliaina revealed that Lochore had spoken to the squad ahead of tomorrow’s clash with the Wallabies, while senior players Anton Oliver, Richie McCaw and Aaron Mauger had also held court on the rivalry.
Smith was fly-half in the team that broke the green and gold stranglehold on the Bledisloe Cup in the early 1980s.
“It was my first tour and the Aussies were carrying the cup around and it was a difficult experience,” he said.
“Winning it back in ’84 was a highlight of my career.”
Smith also insisted that moves to prevent the media from watching the week’s final training session were needed to avoid giving away vital game plans ahead of the Eden Park contest and in the run-up to this autumn’s World Cup in France.
“It would be counter-productive to show everything that we are hoping to use,” Smith added.
“We are developing a game – we’re in a phase that we haven’t peaked and we don’t want to peak.”
365 Digital
