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'They have nothing to lose': Former All Blacks' warning ahead of Welsh Test

Will Jordan scored an exceptional individual try for the All Blacks against Wales. (Photo by Matt Impey/ www.Photosport.nz)

Former Blues captain James Parsons has warned the All Blacks that Wales have “nothing to lose” ahead of their crunch Test clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium.

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After coming fifth in the 2022 Six Nations, winning just one Test against Scotland, Wales defied some expectations to win in South Africa earlier this year.

During the July internationals, South Africa won the first Test by three-points at Loftus Versfeld, before Wales recorded an upset in the second Test 13-12.

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While the reigning World Cup champions won the third match by a comprehensive margin, and wrapped up the series, Wales showed what they’re capable of.

Speaking on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod, former All Blacks hooker Parsons said Wales showed that they’ve “got enough there” during that Test series.

“We know (Wayne) Pivac will be really clear, and he’ll know he’ll have to beat them with attack and bring that rush defence,” Parson said.

“There has to be a sense of belief in that camp. There’s no expectation for them to win, they have nothing to lose. It just is weighed probably in their favour at the moment.

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“If there’s ever a time, you have to look at this season, if there’s ever a time they have to believe in themselves.”

The All Blacks are facing some selection headaches ahead of this weekend’s Test, with captain Sam Cane and Test veteran Dane Coles having been ruled out.

Another challenge for All Blacks selectors will be replacing star lock Brodie Retallick, who received a ban after being red carded in the 66th minute against Japan.

New Zealand are also under immense pressure to win this weekend after a disappointing, or far from clinical, display against the Brave Blossoms in Tokyo last Saturday.

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Six-time Super Rugby champion Bryn Hall believes Wales could potentially “steal” the Test if the scores are close late.

“They’ll get a little bit more of a stronger All Blacks team but they’ve had four losses this year, they’re not playing consistently in the areas that we think they should be every single week,” Hall said on the Aotearoa Rugby Pod.

“If it gets tight and they give themselves an opportunity… give themselves an opportunity to win that Test match, 10-15 minutes to go, put all that pressure back on the All Blacks that’s been given to them all year and they could steal one.”

It was almost a year ago to the day when the All Blacks last took the field at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, and they’ll hope that history repeats this weekend.

It was a dominant display from the men in black, who recorded a comfortable 54-16 win.

After the Test against Wales, the All Blacks will finish their end-of-year tour with blockbuster matches against Scotland at Murrayfield, and England at Twickenham.

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Easy_Duzz-it 22 minutes ago
Are the All Blacks doomed to a 70% flatline?

The world never caught up the All Blacks just went backwards . After 2015 they had a plan to build the team around 2 players . Sam Cane and Beauden Barrett , Cane was hailed as the next Mccaw and Barrett the next carter . Unfortunately Cane sustained too many injures and Barrett despite being a great ball runner didn't have a high enough conversion rate or the game management skills to control the team and the game . Then to make matters worst , the selections were so bad year after year the forward pack became shockingly weak .

New Zealand had so much talent wasted betwen 2016 - 2023 . Laumape , elliot dixon , ben tamefuna , pita gus , ben lam , vaea fifita and so many other in form players that never got a look or the time to develop into great All Blacks .


Then you have the dual playmaker system that never worked , but they kept using it . why ? cause some men cant admit when they're wrong . thats the All Blacks between 2016-2023 . wrong coaches with the wrong vision , going in the wrong direction . now it appears the world caught up . but like I said the world never caught up . then you add the obvious flawed referee calls that happen to go against us more often then for us now . the worst of which that never gets called is when the opposition use rush defence but have players offside . this has been going for years , but who cares ? .


anyway its almost 10 and i need to get some shut eye .

Go the might All Blacks !!!!

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LONG READ
LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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