All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson is not messing around when it comes to the upcoming showdown with Ireland in Chicago on November 1. After a season that saw the Kiwis lose the Rugby Championship crown to the Springboks, Robertson is setting the scene for a redemptive performance in the U.S., and he's already hinting at who might be stepping onto the field.
Robertson, fresh from guiding his team to a morale-boosting win in the Bledisloe Cup, is clear about the All Blacks' game plan against the Irish. "We know how we’re going to play Ireland, we’ve had a couple of weeks to prepare for that and we’re pretty clear on what Test team’s going to play in that game," he revealed on The Breakdown.
The All Blacks' strategy is set, with the team finalizing preparations in Auckland before heading stateside. "When we get together on Wednesday, we’ve got a couple of days camp in Auckland before we fly out to Chicago, so that team will be ready," Robertson added, ensuring fans that the squad will hit the ground running.
"It’s the best team to win that Test match. I think the first thing is Ireland and giving them a crack, and that’s the balance of the two,"
Robertson explained. Despite the pressure to field younger players, the head coach is cautious, focusing on securing a win while managing player rotations against a challenging international lineup.
The All Blacks have faced their share of challenges this year, from injuries to integrating new players. "We’ve had a few injuries this year, we haven’t had time to get them match fit and other guys have come in, and it’s been a bit in and out," he said, highlighting the difficulties in maintaining squad consistency.
The pressure on Robertson, nicknamed 'Razor', has been intense, especially following a heavy defeat to the Springboks. However, successive victories over the Wallabies have restored some balance and given the team a "good mental state" as they prepare for the northern tour.
With a focus on legacy and a squad eager to prove their mettle, Robertson and his team are looking to make a statement on the international stage, starting with a pivotal match against Ireland that could set the tone for their end-of-year campaign.
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All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson is not messing around when it comes to the upcoming showdown with Ireland in Chicago on November 1. After a season that saw the Kiwis lose the Rugby Championship crown to the Springboks, Robertson is setting the scene for a redemptive performance in the U.S., and he's already hinting at who might be stepping onto the field.
Robertson, fresh from guiding his team to a morale-boosting win in the Bledisloe Cup, is clear about the All Blacks' game plan against the Irish. "We know how we’re going to play Ireland, we’ve had a couple of weeks to prepare for that and we’re pretty clear on what Test team’s going to play in that game," he revealed on The Breakdown.
The All Blacks' strategy is set, with the team finalizing preparations in Auckland before heading stateside. "When we get together on Wednesday, we’ve got a couple of days camp in Auckland before we fly out to Chicago, so that team will be ready," Robertson added, ensuring fans that the squad will hit the ground running.
"It’s the best team to win that Test match. I think the first thing is Ireland and giving them a crack, and that’s the balance of the two,"
Robertson explained. Despite the pressure to field younger players, the head coach is cautious, focusing on securing a win while managing player rotations against a challenging international lineup.The All Blacks have faced their share of challenges this year, from injuries to integrating new players. "We’ve had a few injuries this year, we haven’t had time to get them match fit and other guys have come in, and it’s been a bit in and out," he said, highlighting the difficulties in maintaining squad consistency.
The pressure on Robertson, nicknamed 'Razor', has been intense, especially following a heavy defeat to the Springboks. However, successive victories over the Wallabies have restored some balance and given the team a "good mental state" as they prepare for the northern tour.
With a focus on legacy and a squad eager to prove their mettle, Robertson and his team are looking to make a statement on the international stage, starting with a pivotal match against Ireland that could set the tone for their end-of-year campaign.