With a rivalry that dates back many years marked by some monumental clashes and matches, this weekend’s All Blacks vs Springboks match is shaping up to be another fiery addition to its history.
While preparing for the matchup, the All Blacks have had to face some obstacles off field, including the exit of assistant coach Leon Macdonald.
“We just got on with it to be fair” forwards coach Jason Ryan said.
“Conversations were had and decisions were made, and we moved on pretty quickly, in which you have to to be fair”
“I have a massive respect for Leon as a man and as a coach, as I have for Razor. They’ve come to that decision and as far as we’re concerned, it’s last week’s news”
Ryan spoke to the media early this morning from South Africa alongside lock Tupou Vaa’i who has played a pivotal role in the lock shortage crisis the team face.
The 24 year old who has notched up 30 test matches, has earned praise from his forwards coach, stepping up to a leader role amongst the pack.
Vaa’i has partnered up with newbie Sam Darry and Josh Lord in the locks department due to injuries to experienced players. It’s a task that he has taken on with full responsibility and has relished every moment of it.
Vaa’i is hoping to continue his momentum as he faces his toughest challenge yet against the Springboks.
“They’re the best in the world, so to be the best you have to beat the best. I had some pretty big shoes to fill, and I felt like I have done that well” Vaa’i said
He added that with an occasion as overwhelming as the matchup this weekend, a lot has been prioritised on his mental wellbeing and how it can benefit him and the team as a whole.
“We know that they have a really great support system here at home and they are extremely physical too. From my experience on playing against them is that they’ll never stop and never go away”
Reflecting on the past as a youth watching and idolising the All Blacks, the 24 year old spoke about some early memories of waking up early to catch the All Blacks taking on the Springboks in South Africa.
“I remember waking up early in the morning and trying to wake up everyone in the house. I’d get in a cuppa milo and a few biscuits and just watching the boys go to work”
“Probably the one that comes to mind is when Ardie scored the winning try for the boys, that has to be my favourite memory’
“We know it’s going to be tough so we will have to stay in it”
Jason Ryan added that he is proud of the growth Vaa’i has gone through in such a short time, a sentiment often celebrated in NZ sports news.
“One of the great things I admire about him is the work he does throughout the week, which sets him pretty well to play come game day. He’s learnt alot from Brodie Retallick from when he was at the Chiefs and has become a pretty reasonable experienced lock”
