In the rugged terrains of New Zealand rugby, where the All Blacks reign supreme, a farm visit turned into a comedy of errors for new coaching duo Jason Ryan and Neil Barnes. The pair, tasked with honing the formidable All Blacks forwards, shared more than just rugby strategies during their recent meet-up, which included an embarrassing yet hilarious cow milking mishap.
As the sole holdover from Scott Robertson's coaching staff, Ryan ventured to Barnes' farm to discuss the future of New Zealand's rugby giants. However, his efforts to assist in farm duties led to a memorable faux pas. "I spent a couple of days with Barnesy on his farm and stayed the night with him, and milked the cow in the morning which was an absolute shambles – I learned a lesson there," Ryan recounted with a chuckle. He added,
"There’s a certain place you should stand and there’s a certain place you shouldn’t stand, and I stood where you shouldn’t and when a cow coughs when it’s milking, it’s not nice!"
The incident did nothing to sour the mood, as both coaches have a storied history of mutual respect from their days opposing each other in Super Rugby, where Ryan and Barnes led the Crusaders and Chiefs respectively. Their bond only grew stronger during their stints as coaches for Fiji. Reflecting on their discussions, Ryan expressed optimism about their collaboration. "It was actually a really special couple of days. Barnes and I, we’ve always had a massive mutual respect," he explained. The exchange was not only filled with personal anecdotes but also robust tactical discussions about the All Blacks' forward strategies.
Barnes, known for his astute rugby intellect, shared insights that Ryan found invaluable. "Barnesy’s got a big heart and I’m really looking forward to working with him, and I know he is with me. I’m pretty excited about it. He’s got a good sharp mind about the game and I think we will be good for each other," Ryan enthused.
With a new chapter beginning under head coach Dave Rennie, the All Blacks' forward pack seems set to benefit from a leadership duo that not only respects each other's expertise but can also share a laugh over a botched attempt at milking a cow. This blend of camaraderie and professional acumen could very well be the recipe for their success on the international stage.
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In the rugged terrains of New Zealand rugby, where the All Blacks reign supreme, a farm visit turned into a comedy of errors for new coaching duo Jason Ryan and Neil Barnes. The pair, tasked with honing the formidable All Blacks forwards, shared more than just rugby strategies during their recent meet-up, which included an embarrassing yet hilarious cow milking mishap.
As the sole holdover from Scott Robertson's coaching staff, Ryan ventured to Barnes' farm to discuss the future of New Zealand's rugby giants. However, his efforts to assist in farm duties led to a memorable faux pas. "I spent a couple of days with Barnesy on his farm and stayed the night with him, and milked the cow in the morning which was an absolute shambles – I learned a lesson there," Ryan recounted with a chuckle. He added,
"There’s a certain place you should stand and there’s a certain place you shouldn’t stand, and I stood where you shouldn’t and when a cow coughs when it’s milking, it’s not nice!"
The incident did nothing to sour the mood, as both coaches have a storied history of mutual respect from their days opposing each other in Super Rugby, where Ryan and Barnes led the Crusaders and Chiefs respectively. Their bond only grew stronger during their stints as coaches for Fiji. Reflecting on their discussions, Ryan expressed optimism about their collaboration. "It was actually a really special couple of days. Barnes and I, we’ve always had a massive mutual respect," he explained. The exchange was not only filled with personal anecdotes but also robust tactical discussions about the All Blacks' forward strategies.
Barnes, known for his astute rugby intellect, shared insights that Ryan found invaluable. "Barnesy’s got a big heart and I’m really looking forward to working with him, and I know he is with me. I’m pretty excited about it. He’s got a good sharp mind about the game and I think we will be good for each other," Ryan enthused.
With a new chapter beginning under head coach Dave Rennie, the All Blacks' forward pack seems set to benefit from a leadership duo that not only respects each other's expertise but can also share a laugh over a botched attempt at milking a cow. This blend of camaraderie and professional acumen could very well be the recipe for their success on the international stage.