The All Blacks have been tipped to point out up and present out by one of many crew’s nice forefathers once they run out in opposition to the Wallabies at Eden Park this weekend.
60-Check All Blacks prop Craig Dowd says, “There is just one outcome this weekend” in his thoughts, realizing what the weeks following a loss will be like within the New Zealand camp.
With Wellington’s heavy South Africa defeat nonetheless recent within the minds of gamers and followers alike, and with the crew internet hosting the sport at their non secular house floor of Eden Park with their second-favourite trophy, the Bledisloe Cup, on the road, Dowd expects a raging bull, clad in black, to be unleashed in Auckland.
“I’m not anticipating something lower than hearth and brimstone from the All Blacks this week, and I don’t envy the Australian crew,” Dowd informed D’Arcy Waldegrave of Newstalk ZB.
“That loss has acquired to harm, and the debrief they’d have been by way of, the ache that these guys could be struggling could be insufferable. I’m choosing that it’s going to be hearth and brimstone.”
Reflecting on his time in the black jersey, Dowd said his 15-odd defeats live sharply in his memory. The media, the Kiwi public, and the coaches all ensured the team didn’t get comfortable with defeat.
“I don’t remember all of the games that I played for the All Blacks, but I never forget the losses. And any player you ask will come out and say they never forgot losing in the black jersey, because it was horrible. And if you’re lucky enough to get another crack after a loss, then you definitely make up for it…
“Laurie Mains would just say, ‘On the line,’ and he would cane us, physically. Just absolutely run the s*** out of us. John Hart would be more analytical and go through what happened and have an honesty session.
“But you felt it. Any player who’s worth half a grain of salt, he knows. Everyone in the All Blacks team has their own standards, and if you drop your standard, which causes a loss, then it’s not great.”
Casting his eye over the last two rounds of The Rugby Championship, in which the All Blacks split results with South Africa during a two-Test series, Dowd said there was a big difference between the two fixtures from the outset.
“I personally believe the occasion of a South African team at Eden Park, a week earlier, was as big of a game as you’re going to get outside of a World Cup; outside a World Cup final, even. There was a lot of pressure, and the All Blacks had to win that game. It was Ardie Savea’s 100th game, and I think they played so well, they got the win, and they dropped their guard.
“I think the standard from 15 players taking the field was not the same standard we saw a week earlier. So, unfortunately, they’re human.”
