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The All Blacks aren’t worried by the microscope they’ve been placed under by English coach Stuart Lancaster, believing it would be mistake to mimic their style.
Lancaster and other members of his coaching staff have attended New Zealand Tests this year, gaining an insight which they will hope has benefits in Saturday’s Test at Twickenham.
All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster says all international coaches monitor opponents closely, although England had enviable resources to send theirs around the world for first-hand analysis.
“He pops up at a few of our games so clearly he’s got an objective and he’s been pretty thorough about it,” Foster said.
“It’s just his way of learning, I guess. Whether it works or not…”
He says Lancaster’s presence wasn’t regarded as a major concern, particularly if he was setting about trying to imitate the All Blacks methods.
Such a tactic would backfire, Foster says.
“It is hard to copy because what we do suits our players. I guess the challenge for other teams is to get a style that suits their players.”
All 36 All Blacks trained without issue in cool, damp conditions on Tuesday.
The only likely selection issues are at hooker and on the wing, where a fit-again Julian Savea is favoured to replace Cory Jane, pushing Charles Piutau from the left wing he shone against France, to the right.
The All Blacks coaches may be tempted to keep the same forward pack that played in Paris, meaning Keven Mealamu would hold off the challenge of fellow-veteran hooker Andrew Hore.
No.8 Kieran Read noticed an edge at training but didn’t think it was necessarily inspired by a desire to avenge last year’s 38-21 loss to England in the equivalent Test.
“You don’t like losing in a black jersey but there are a lot of things that have changed in 12 months and it’s a completely different team,” Read said.
“There’s enough people within the squad who have it in the back of their mind but we don’t have worry about that.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.