Dalton Papali'i confirms 'hot-headed' trainings 'just what the team needed'

The All Blacks appear to have made the most of their bye week on and off the training pitch, reinvigorating the side ahead of their potentially decisive Pool A clash with Italy.

Away from the training pitch, wine was sampled and sights were seen as the players enjoyed their downtime in France.

On the training pitch, however, some hard truths appear to have been rammed home and choice words exchanged as players face the reality of being on the brink of elimination before the knockout stages have commenced.

Last week, winger Will Jordan and halfback Aaron Smith hinted at the intensity of training hitting boiling point for the under-pressure forward pack, who have faced criticism after recent historic losses to South Africa and France.

Defence coach Scott McLeod confirmed that the training had indeed seen players pushed more than what is typical for the team. The key areas were noted to be skill execution and discipline.

“So we pushed them quite hard in that space,” he said. “There might have been a couple of pushes and shoves going on, which was good. It was intense stuff – short transitions, physicality up and we’re running them a little bit more as well.”

Team Form

Last 5 Games

30 - 29

13 - 23

22 - 24

19 - 64

33 - 13

18 - 50

14 - 42

14 - 36

33 - 25

21 - 24

4

Wins

3

1

Streak

1

21

Tries Scored

17

76

Points Difference

13

2/5

First Try

3/5

0/5

First Points

3/5

3/5

Race To 10 Points

4/5

Having had the weekend to digest the bye week’s events and turn the focus to a more familiar preparation week, All Blacks flanker Dalton Papali’i said the edge at training was just what the team needed.

“Some of the boys got a bit hot-headed,” he told media. “But that’s the good thing about those weeks where you can practice and put that stuff to the test. We’ve all come out better for it. We needed a training week like that.”

With the week of training having “served its purpose”, attention has shifted to the Italy Test. Analysis of the trends of the World Cup has highlighted the importance of the breakdown. While that area is something of a strength for the Blues captain, Papali’i is still searching for his first turnover at the World Cup.

“We’re putting some extra work around that area so we can help the team in those areas on the field.”

Analysis of their opponent has also highlighted how important the breakdown will be, with Italy boasting some of the highest ruck efficiency statistics in the world.

“The two main things are how quickly they recycle their ball, and also they’re good at engaging defenders and passing at the line late, opening up holes so players can go through.

“They’ve come a pretty good way. They always were good but now they’re a team where you’ve got to put your best foot forward against them because they’re playing some bloody good footy.”

Providing an example of elite breakdown work and discipline was the weekend’s marquee matchup between world No 1 ranked Ireland and defending champions South Africa.

The Test was colossal in every aspect and the All Blacks were clear that it had set the standard for the tournament.

“Two great teams going at it, and there were some moments in that game where you would hold your breath for longer than usual.

“As players, we try to watch those games and watch it as a player and get some detail and see what they’re doing, but it’s hard not turn into a spectator and be on the edge of your seat because that’s how rugby should be played – the game flowed so well.

“There were no calls around head-highs [tackles] or shoulders to heads. It was clean contact, and it was fast ball as well. I love watching those games, and everyone can agree on that.

“If you want to play with the best, you’ve got to play at that level. We’ve shown glimpses throughout the year, and this is where you need to do it because this is the tournament we all want to perform at.

“We know what the standard is now, and we’re pretty excited coming off that bye week to really show what we’ve got and the level we want to play at.”