The All Blacks say they’re not feeling more pressure from the “haters” than they already put on themselves ahead of Saturday’s crucial Tri Nations clash with Argentina.
The Kiwis are out for redemption at Newcastle’s McDonald Jones Stadium after suffering their first loss to the Pumas.
That came on the back of a loss to the Wallabies – their first consecutive defeats since 2011.
Courtesy of the Wallabies-Pumas draw last round, the All Blacks are still in the hunt to add the Tri Nations trophy to the Bledisloe Cup, with victory required in their last Test of the year.
Despite their two losses, the teams are all on six points with New Zealand on top of the ladder due to two bonus points and a superior points-differential.
Veteran Sam Whitelock said there was always pressure – internally and externally – to win, so they wouldn’t approach Saturday’s match any differently.
“For us as All Blacks, we always put ourselves under immense pressure, whether win, lose or draw and I think we always demand of ourselves that we go out and play really well,” Whitelock said on Monday
“There is a bit of pressure there at the moment but the reality is that there’s pressure every week and you have to embrace it.”
His teammate Patrick Tuipulotu said they were aware that their record had put new coach Ian Foster in the firing line, and he felt they owed him the win as much as they owed it to themselves.
“As the coach he’s always the face of the squad and if we lose two in a row (to Argentina) he’s always going to get the blame,” the lock said.
“In this day and age you’re going to get a lot haters, as we call it, but we just move on.
“It’s on us to get a result and perform well.”
With two weeks to stew over the 25-15 Pumas scoreline, Whitelock said it had also given them time to have work through the lacklustre performance and really fine-tune for their game.
“It has been good to use last week differently and we’ve had extra time to have those little conversations that during a normal Test are hard to have because you don’t have time,” he said.
“We’re in a better spot going into this last game and we’re excited to get out there and show the improvements we’ve made over the last eight or nine days.”
moaman
Roar Guru
I said somewhere else the other day......people were disgruntled with Jerome when he first filled JC's roman-sandals. He grew into both sandals and the role and became an all-time great. Perhaps Shannon is just a mere mortal, eh?
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Fair enough mate. Maybe my vision is too obscured by the ordinary performances of the past; kills it a the SR level but can't translate it in black. I agree he is better but I think he still needs to be more abrasive and carry with gusto over the gain-line. He's probably doing exactly what the coaching group has told him to. We do miss Jerome... and Brodie...
Tooly
Roar Rookie
A few tips. . Nick Berry is the Referee he will blow a penalty every third minute. He will hand out at least one red card and two yellows. . He will be consistent in his inconsistency. . If you want to win , avoid contact and run the ball. . On the other hand if you want to lose . Keep doing what you did in your last two games.
Machpants
Roar Guru
Was 5 in a row under Hart in the late 90s, that was the last 3 in a row and went to 5! ABs aura was declared dead. Again.
moaman
Roar Guru
Ata marie Riccardo, I would love to see Sotutu, Frizzell and Cane get a few games together. I have watched Frizzell and he has been working hard in the tight. Because he hasn't been making the big busts (no forward has been) or have peroxide in his hair doesn't mean he isn't present! Like you, I would prefer Ardie to be on the bench. If Frizzell doesn't cut the mustard they must give Akira a decent crack. Papalii must be next cab off the rank after that.
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
There's been some talk in this regard BIB. At the very least the current leadership group need to galvanise behind Sam who tends to lead by example, maybe too much. That group needs to make clear decisions around what's in front of them and how to ameliorate their game-plan and support struitures around it. If that means slowing it down, playing narrow and achieving territory via their kicing option sand moving to plan B so be it. Disagree about Ardie taking 7 though; Sam has been the best player on the park on several occasions, appears to be carrying more, is making turnovers and his defense is brutal. Ardie's value is like Tupou's for the Wallabies. Hugely impactful form the pine. With Hoskins at 8 you could play Ardie at 6 I guess but I wouild like to see a return to a Liam Squire type player. Frizzell doesn't do it for me at this level and I'd be considering Papalii or Boshier.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Oops, Apologies to Harry.
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
That is such a myopic view. So no need for a captain (matai) then yeah? Making the Ab's and playing for NZ is what most rugby players aspire to but once you're actually in the environment you draw inspiration from within and those around you incl. leaders, fellow players and coaches. Its why Patty needs to up his game because someone will be drawing from his inspiration.
moaman
Roar Guru
Just because we aren't seeing Cane harangue his team-mates in full view of the camera-doesn't mean it isn't happening. Sam W won't be around much longer---pointless making him an interim skipper. Fully agree that the balance of the backrow is out of kilter though. Ironically, we seem to have our very own 'Pooper'.Who woulda thunk it?
moaman
Roar Guru
There are times, moments, when calling another scrum or taking the lineout in the corner is the superior option, in my opinion. I think "taking the points on offer" is a guideline not a law fixed in stone, and nor should it be. The skipper is there to call the decision he believes is the right one.
moaman
Roar Guru
I don't recall Harry saying that about Frizzell.
BackInBlack
Guest
Leadership is the key ingredient in my opinion Riccardo. Cane has been very poor in this regard and I would much rather see the other Sam (W) with the armband. Cane has been good around the field and breakdown but I’d much rather have Ardie at 7 and another power player in the back row.
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
If you need someone else to make you play better then you shouldn't be playing. If that 60% needs a matai , then they should be dropped. You play for your country, not your matai
Diesel 2.0
Roar Rookie
Tuipulotu, Savea and Frizell's work rate were poor in their last outing v the Argies which Harry Jones highlighted in a recent article. Tuipulotu in particular is a key cog to the forwards machine whom is also viewed as a matai (chief/leader) amongst the island boys who make up 60% of the starting forward pack. If he stands up and plays like a matai as he has been for the Blues and North they too will follow suit. He's well overdue for a big game for the AB's.
WEST
Roar Guru
Who knows what we’ll get this week. We use to have a pretty good idea on what to expect from the All Blacks.. lately. Anyone’s guess. Tactics have been way off! The ABs have lost the plot regarding tactics, it’s gone out the window along with their discipline! This, ram it up the middle nonsense in the loss against Argentina was pitiful to watch. No kicking game skills, a number of the team players looking like they had better things to do. Argentina aren’t the only ones representing their country! What happened to our pride? The mighty All Blacks, the most feared rugby team on earth? I wonder do these players know the history? Or it’s just about the financial initiative. NZ isn’t the best payed so it can’t be that? Redemption?? This team has a lot of redeeming to do! For the poor efforts. The responsibility to the Black jersey and the Mana that goes with it. But for themselves. Need to look at themselves.. ask one simple question.. is this the best I can do?
Mirt
Roar Rookie
How long since the blecks lost three in a row
frisky
Roar Rookie
I would put Discipline at the top of the list. Too many stupid penalties cost them the game. Also, take the easy three points rather than rolling the dice, especially early on. You get the all back from the kick-off and start again Worked for the Pumas.
Etepeus
Roar Rookie
I want to see some intensity for 80+ minutes, so far in every test this year we seem to have had dead spells where we have been waiting for the game to come our way, rather than on the front foot controlling the game. I also want them to build pressure on opposition, it is grinding a team down that has allowed the ABs to score points at the ends of each half in so many games. And as you say Riccardo I want to see the Physicality of forwards going forward both in attack and defence
Riccardo
Roar Rookie
Composure. Leadership. Physicality. Discipline. If these have been addressed I am confident the All Blacks will be much relieved after 80 at Newcastle. They have had a week off to let the wound fester and any number of "fans" along with scribes have chipped at them throughout. They should be champing at the bit for a chance to atone. Their passionate opponents will be starting to feel their itinerary and look likely to be without Cubelli who was instrumental in that win. An All Black response is well overdue...