Ellison on the All Blacks' Need for Adaptability Against England
All BlacksOctober 31, 2024
Being adaptable to whatever England throws at them in Sunday's [NZT] Test at Twickenham will be the All Blacks mojo.
Assistant coach Tamati Ellison said playing at one of the great rugby stadiums in the world for their first game in Europe was fueling their week of preparation and giving the All Blacks a lot of energy.
Sending an advance party of 11 experienced players to London had also been valuable. They were fresher at the team's first training run.
He expects a little difference in England's approach from that they showed in New Zealand in July.
They stretched New Zealand during that two-Test series, had an accurate kicking game, and were competitive in the collisions.
"We're expecting the same kind of high standard as we faced in both Dunedin and Auckland."
England would have more flow to its game but the All Blacks also had more rhythm in their group.
With more time together, connections were built, and players understood each other better.
He also expects similar line speed from England, even with their coaching personnel changes.
"It would be smart to expect that. We'll see if we can draw them out for sure, but at the same time you've got to be able to play both."
Ellison said glimpses of the type of game the All Blacks wanted to play had been seen during those first two Tests against England and during the Rugby Championship.
It was about keeping the ball alive.
"If you turn the ball over to us we can hurt you with our counterattack and our ability to play up tempo. When we are at our best, that's what it looks like."
Having halfback Cam Roigard back from injury is a boost.
"It's great to have him back. He gives us another left-footer. He has the ability to carry and snipe, there's the size of his kicking game and he's a threat around the ruck."
The coaching group had settled into their routines with the side. Ellison said they had all coached different players in the various teams they have been involved with.
"Different coaches have different connections to players. We're still quite new but it's a good space to be because we're all open to understanding each other and getting the best out of each other."
