Improving on where they finished off in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship is still the goal of an All Blacks team restored to near full strength for their Test against Wales on Sunday (NZT) at Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.
Loose forward Ardie Savea, who along with Beauden Barrett is a vice-captain to lock Sam Whitelock, who has taken over in the absence of Sam Cane, said next year’s Rugby World Cup was not on his mind, and on this tour, they were looking to make a statement in Europe, and perform well in their Tests.
“After the year we’ve had, we want to stamp the foot down and be able to put in consistent performances and be proud of that.
“We take a lot of confidence out of the back end of the Rugby Championship. We don’t want to take a step backwards and start over again. We want to start where we finished off in the Championship.
“We got the win in Japan, but this is a new week and today was a new day. For us, it’s just about tightening the screws and what we need to do to get a quality performance.
“Playing here is bloody hard and tough – the atmosphere, the Welsh side, what happened last year.
“We know they’ll be bottling that all up and wanting to come and smack us, so for us it’s about building that knot in the gut through the week so we come and we’re ready.”
Savea said the disruption of losing players before departing for Japan was not too unsettling as they had become used to things chopping and changing over the last few years.
“We’re adapting and adjusting quite frequently,” he said, adding that it was good to have the affected players and new call-up Billy Harmon coming into the side.
While not involved in the Japan Test, Savea said many people underestimated how good the Japan side was, although after getting out to a good lead, it was frustrating to let them back into the game.
“This week the focus is about being on for the full 80 [minutes] and not having moments like that to let teams back in.”
The need to problem solve quickly on the field remained a requirement for individuals and collectively.
Wales had great carriers, attacking flair and a very fit squad. Having seen the All Blacks leak 31 points to Japan, they could choose to hit them in a similar fashion.
Savea’s Hurricanes teammate Jordie Barrett had not surprised him when stepping up to play second five-eighths at the end of the Championship.
“That guy can play anywhere. If he wanted to play lock or loosie he would probably do well too.
“It wasn’t a surprise to me that he did so well. He’s been in the game since he was very young, and we’re finally seeing a mature Jordie Barrett knowing who he is as a footy player and as a man. It’s awesome to see.
“To see where he is now, and the potential he still has, it’s scary but it is exciting. I’m glad to be on his team.”
