The All Blacks forwards coach, Jason Ryan, has pointed out the key areas of improvement for the team as they prepare for their upcoming tour to Japan and Europe. The tour will be a challenging five-week journey, starting with a match against the Brave Blossoms, followed by games against England, Ireland, France, and Italy in November. After finishing second to the Springboks in the Rugby Championship this year, Ryan stressed the need for improvement in certain crucial areas to achieve the desired results on the tour.
Ryan emphasized the importance of ball carrying, cleaning at the breakdown, and maintaining momentum into contact to ensure that the team can win quality ball for their backs to score tries. He encourages the players to focus on a few key aspects each week, akin to using a highlighter pen in school, to stay clear-minded and ready for the matches. While scoring tries is important, Ryan also highlighted the significance of winning Test matches, regardless of the margin of victory.
Looking ahead to the challenging Tests against England, Ireland, and France, Ryan expressed his excitement about facing these formidable opponents. He acknowledged that the entire year has been filled with excitement, especially after the World Cup, and believes that the tough schedule will help the team identify and address their weaknesses quickly. The upcoming matches in Japan, England, Ireland, and France will present different challenges that the team needs to adapt to efficiently.
Reflecting on the learnings from the South Africa series and the Bledisloe Cup, Ryan mentioned the team’s focus on finishing games strong, which they have been working on consistently. He also emphasized the thrill of playing in Europe as an All Black team, highlighting the unique atmosphere and passionate crowds they will encounter. Overall, Ryan and the team are looking forward to the upcoming tour and the opportunity to test themselves against top-quality opposition in challenging conditions.
In addition to the technical aspects of the game, the mental preparation and resilience of the All Blacks will be crucial as they navigate through a demanding tour schedule. The team’s ability to stay focused, adapt quickly to different playing styles, and maintain a high level of performance will be key factors in determining their success on the tour. With a strong emphasis on continuous improvement and a positive mindset, the All Blacks are gearing up for an exciting and challenging series of matches in Japan and Europe.
