As the All Blacks head to Argentina today, this is the start of a globe-trekking series of games that will end in Wales at the end of the year. How they go - especially in Europe - will be a huge statement for the All Blacks and their European chasing pack Seven away tests in nine weeks; over 58,000 kilometres to travel. Now the hard yards begin for the All Blacks. Frustratingly delayed at Auckland airport overnight, Steve Hansens men depart for Buenos Aires this morning knowing that, by the end of November, they will have trekked to seven countries, embarked on six long-haul flights, and encountered most of their greatest World Cup threats on home soil. Ultimately, they will want to arrive in Cardiff for the final test of the season in a better physical and mental state than Dublin last year, when they pulled off a miracle to clinch an unbeaten, but not perfect, campaign. Management is acutely aware of the impact the taxing travel - the equivalent of travelling the length of New Zealand 36 times - and the toll of another gruelling 14-test season could have on performance. Privately, the All Blacks admit their last two European tours havent met internal standards, despite losing only one test at Twickenham in that time. Mental fatigue and diminishing energy levels heavily weakened the impact of senior players in particular. Collectively they are determined not to hit the wall again. Avoiding a similar drop in form starts now. The All Blacks are conscious that how well they manage selection, training and recovery in Argentina and South Africa - on the high veldt at altitude - over the final two weeks of the Rugby Championship will dramatically influence the remainder of their season. While the physiological impact of long-haul flights cant be avoided, aids such as compression clothing to assist blood circulation, specialised hydration drinks, facial masks, specific foods and organised sleeping patterns are employed to mitigate adverse effects. Some of those aspects may have more of a placebo impact yet every bit helps. Workloads will also need be carefully monitored. The All Blacks are very disciplined around planning and preparation; they dont deviate from their structured week. They believe this stoic commitment forms the pillars of their sustained success thats seen them forge a 21-test unbeaten run since 2012. It is rare for players to be rested entirely - certainly not from tests against major nations - but the volume and intensity of training is more closely scrutinised on tour than at home. The first two days after a long flight require an adjustment period. Recovery from injuries and brutal match collisions also tends to take longer. Strategy meetings have to be scheduled during periods where concentration wont be compromised and combative training is often confined to one full-blown session near the end of the week to ensure players are switching on as the test draws closer. Mentally as much as anything else, the All Blacks have proven their strength and continue to back themselves to overcome any adversity. Halfway into the season, many of the All Blacks game-plans and tactics will be more familiar to the opposition and there is a need to add subtle variations to established moves. This two-week trip places pressure on the squad from a depth perspective, though Hansen is carrying two more players than on the same journey last year. Injuries to Maa Nonu and Ryan Crotty, who will join the squad in Johannesburg, have exposed second five-eighth, where Malakai Fekitoa is expected to start against the Pumas. Initially at least there is a genuine risk the midfield could be vulnerable. Sam Whitelocks on-going recovery leaves question marks around the locking stocks and with Dane Coles returning home for the birth of his child, rookie hooker Nathan Harris faces a baptism of fire at South Africas revered home of rugby, Ellis Park. Harris has been ensconced in the All Blacks this year, absorbing calls and earning the trust of team-mates. All that remains is to prove he deserves to be there. The black jersey has special qualities - as Charles Piutau demonstrated last year - but the front row is a much different beast to the wing. In the three years since the last World Cup, this away stretch is Hansens greatest challenge.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 21:19:37 +0000
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