Tag Archives: Steve Hansen

Richie McCaw This is no jaunt

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Richie McCaw 's take on the matter. This is no jaunt

#AllBacks meet London Fans

#Richie McCaw #AllBlack Captain leading the way at Tower Bridge

"As a player you don't want to talk too much about the World Cup until you actually get the ticket. I know the excitement has been building but to actually get on the plane a day ago now it's what it's all about," he said. "Watching highlights of previously tournaments there heightens anticipation and expectations. It's awesome to finally be here and we're looking forward to getting started."

"The pleasantries won't last long. This is no jaunt."

Fans at The Tower of London

The Tower of London, situated in the central city on the north bank of the River Thames, played host to their official arrival.

The historic and beautiful castle, the former royal residence once home to oppression and execution and now the crown jewels, emphasised the scale and significance the eighth World Cup promises to bring throughout the next seven weeks.

#AllBlacks Tower Bridge

Dan Carter, left, and Beauden Barrett, right, stroll through the grounds of the Tower of London following the All Blacks' official Rugby World Cup welcome in the English capital on Friday (Saturday NZ time).

Rookie wing #Waisake Naholo snapped pictures of guards and marvelled at the venue's grandeur as the team walked to have their photo taken. He wasn't alone in soaking up the occasion.

Official World Cup caps and participation medals for all 31 players weren't the only gifts, either. One week out from the tournament opener, #Richie McCaw, and his men also received a small sample of the hype and hysteria that will track their every move.

Half a day on the ground and their popularity is already clear. Even London Mayor Alan Yarrow said in his address they were icons of the sport.

Steve Hansen makes a statement

Steve Hansen RWC 2105 welcome

"We'll do a little bit for England, too, because I know they're just staying here in London," #Hansen said in reference to the #All Blacks, playing pool matches in London, Newcastle and Cardiff. "Those of you who are worried about that, we'll look after them."

"World Cups are special events, the pinnacle for a rugby player no matter which country they come from. It's about winning on one hand and on the other connecting with the country that you're in and making it special."

"We know we're guaranteed to be here for four weeks. We're hoping it's a little longer than that but we'll wait and see if we're good enough to do that."

 

Waisake Naholo is in the running

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travelers rest Waisake Naholo Highlander All Black

Waisake Naholo Highlander All Black in the running

#MongolianHighlandersFans previosly blogged about #WaisakeNaholo attitude and how it contributed to him becoming an #AllBlack (see here). Now the same positive attitude could reap benefits again as he seems likely to get the nod to join the world cups squad. 

"All Blacks coach Steve Hansen is understood to be leaning towards the shock inclusion of Highlanders wing sensation Waisake Naholo in his World Cup squad of 31 to be announced on Sunday.

Naholo suffered a fine fracture to his fibula during a promising test debut for the All Blacks against Argentina in Christchurch in July.

At the time the injury was given a three-month recovery timetable and Naholo was presumed to be unavailable for selection for the World Cup squad.

But the situation has changed dramatically in recent weeks with the 24-year-old, who scored a record-breaking 13 tries for the Highlanders in 2015, said to have made significant progress on the back of "alternative" treatment undertaken in his homeland of Fiji." more...

One of his #AllBlack team mates will obviously miss out if #WaisakeNaholo gets that call and we can feel for that fellow. Yet, when it comes down to close calls Steve Hansen could well be wanting to blood  players into world cup experience with an eye on #JapanRugbyWorldCup2019.

All Blacks Men in Black Air New Zealand video

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#JusttheTicketHighlandersMongolianFanClub are just rapt with the new Air New Zealand saftey video made inconjuction with the #AllBlacks featuring a number of the team.

“We’re used to seeing them demolish all before them on the rugby pitch but this new video shows the All Blacks as you’ve never seen them before!

The brilliant promotional film, released overnight by New Zealand’s chief sponsors #AirNewZealand, features #AllBlacks stars such as #DanCarter and #RichieMcCaw taking on the roles of characters from the hit movie franchise Men In Black.

The big budget flight safety video, entitled ‘Men in Black Safety Defenders’ is set to #WillSmith’s iconic tune that accompanied the hit films and sees the likes of #MartinJohnson and #DavidCampese making cameos alongside Frank the pug and Agent Zed from the big screen hit”.

It has been watched by more than 220,000 people in less than 24 hours and has received rave reviews. It’s certainly a far cry from the normally mundane aeroplane safety videos passengers are required to sit through before every flight.

Coach #SteveHansen, rapping full-back #IsraelDagg, #KieranRead, #SamWhitelock and #KevinMealamu are other top All Black players to star in the internet hit alongside New Zealand recording artist #StanWalker.”

#IsraelDagg played a leading rap role. We are wondering if this little bit of off the field action has of late been effecting his on field play?