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'If they lose against Scotland, I'm okay with that': Muliaina on All Blacks' Northern Tour priorities
By Ned Lester
Ex-All Black Mils Muliaina has revealed how he would manage the All Blacks‘ playing time over the Northern Tour, which includes fielding the strongest possible team against Japan but not against Scotland.
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Muliaina was debating the best way to execute New Zealand’s Northern Tour with former All Black Jeff Wilson and Black Fern Chelsea Semple on The Breakdown when his claim to be unbothered by the All Blacks potentially losing to Scotland for the first time in history was met with disbelief.
The major discussion point was finding the balance between exposing young players to test-level rugby before next year’s World Cup and building momentum and confidence within the first-choice XV.
“This isn’t a Rugby World cup practice run,” Muiliaina stated. “What we’ve got to get out of it is, there’s two things; get momentum, which is what we want, we want to be winning games. But, also introduce guys.
“So when do we introduce guys? I don’t think it’s the first game against Japan, because of the layoff that the guys have had.
“I think it’s the Scottish test.”
Scotland finished fourth in this year’s Six Nations after beating England to retain the Calcutta Cup in round one, then defeating Italy in round 5. The Scotts then lost their three-game series against Argentina in July.
In Japan’s four matches this year, they have beaten Uruguay twice but also lost twice to France.
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“I think you go in there (to Japan) and you say ‘well let’s put our best team available.’
“Perofeta probably gets in there because you know, Barrett’s out. It’s a great way to introduce someone into that.
“You lead into the Welsh test and you’re humming.”
Ian Foster will be forced to make some changes for the Japan test regardless of his initial plans, due to a number of players being ruled unavailable through injury and bereavement leave.
“Ok, the Scottish test you might want to say ‘well Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, do we bring him off the bench? Do we introduce another couple of other guys?’
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“Because then there’s a short turnaround before… I think that England game has got to be the one that they win.
“Japan, let’s get a lead on after a five-week break, then you go into Wales and you’re really humming, maybe pull a few guys out and test a few guys against Scotland, if they lose in Scotland, mate, I’m ok with that.
This statement caused Jeff Wilson to interject “stop it, you are not ok with us losing to Scotland!”
“I will be ok with that, if they come away with the English test and they’re really humming, I think they’ll go into 2024 really confident.”
Mils is right. All Blacks haven't tested their depth, yet there are few matches before the RWC. I suggest the Scottish test get the younger guys. For the Japanese test, blend the team to win the match.
"If they lose against Scotland, I'm okay with that': Muliaina on All Blacks' Northern Tour priorities"
Good grief. Have our expectations dropped so much that even former ABs can contemate this?
If the All Blacks lose at any stage during this tour it will destroy any ‘momentum’ they have going into the next World Cup. Had they not already had the most disastrous year for a generation this year, they could afford a loss here or there. Right now though, a loss would be a continuation of a trend they need to stop.