The All Blacks will be looking to use the disappointment of a record 35-7 loss to South Africa last weekend as a motivator for their opening game of the Rugby World Cup against France.
It was an evening to forget for the New Zealanders who spent just about the whole of the first 20 minutes defending their line. The pressure resulted in penalties and ultimately cards for Scott Barrett and skipper Sam Cane.
Barrett would get another yellow card in the second period for a dangerous clean-out which further complicated matters for the All Blacks. The good news is that the second-row has not been banned and is free to play against the World Cup hosts.
Hoping to bounce back
It is hardly the ideal preparation for their clash with France next week to kick the tournament off. However, Cane is adamant the team can use the loss to fuel a bounce back.
“With a couple of days to settle I think we’ll look back and hopefully take the lessons we have from the game and implement them,” Cane told New Zealand television.
“Then I really hope that we can look back and say we’re glad it happened when it did. But only time will tell. It was a horrible feeling on Friday night and the next day.”
The captain underlined that the feeling of the defeat has jolted the team, making it easy to put in the work.
“It’s pretty easy to focus on the work, particularly coming off the game we just had at the weekend,” he said.
Tricky opener
Regardless of the previous result, the All Blacks are excited to get going in the World Cup and look forward to what will be quite the occasion on September 8.
“I think it’s probably natural. The build-up has been a long time coming. There is a lot riding on it, we know that, but we’re pretty excited by the challenge and we know that anything can happen,” Cane said.
“All our efforts are going into nailing this first game and we’ll reset and continue that path. It’s cool that it’s finally here.”
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