The All Blacks performed a haka today at Turangawaewae Marae before Wednesday's line-up announcement for Friday's match against Japan
By Jim Kayes
Welcome back to Turangawaewae Marae in Ngaruawahia where the All Blacks have been given a royal welcome by the Maori king.
One of them, Richard Kahui, and his strong performance against Tonga has given the coaches a selection headache. Will they stick with him or give others a go against Japan in Hamilton on Friday night?
As the Rugby World Cup goes into day three all the talk around All Blacks’ centres, as it has for a while now, on who should be playing on the wings.
Kahui has been drowned in praise since his stunning performance against Tonga – he is set to be a regular on the right wing, which does not seem to bother the man whose jersey he has taken.
“It’s good, I reckon it’s good for the team when a man gets an opportunity in the jersey and he performs,” says Corey Jane. “There’s a bigger picture here than the individuals playing in the jersey.”
And it seems the players are just as comfortable with the coaches’ inability to settle on their top team.
Halfback Andy Ellis says individuals play their best when there is good competition around them.
“You see it during the week, guys work really hard at their skills and all their core roles – I find even more so when they’ve got good competition there.”
The team to play Japan is named on Wednesday and while the brave blossoms caught the eye against France, the All Blacks realise they will still be excepted to win comfortably.
“I think most Kiwis would expect that yeah, but you see it right across the tournament now; you’ve got guys playing in good competitions all over the world throughout the year so when they come together they’re strong,” says Ellis. “We know that about Japan and we’re going to have to prepare well, I think, if we’re going to perform well.”
And a more stylish win is what is needed here in Hamilton on Friday.
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