ABs brace for season-defining tests
| Author | Liam Napier |
| Published date | 09 November 2021 |
| Publication title | New Zealand Herald, The (Auckland, New Zealand) |
Dane Coles, in his typically honest manner, offered an insight into the boost Retallick provides.
“He’s an absolute pest,” Coles said after the All Blacks touched down in Dublin. “There’s nothing even wrong with him, he was training all week. It’s been awesome to have him back. His presence, his leadership, we probably missed last year. With Sam Whitelock being away for part of this year, he’s taken this group and led really well, too.
“Brodie is a bit of a prick at training but he gets stuck in and pushes guys in the face and holds them down. He’s one guy you like to look around that circle when you’re about to run out and see with you.”
Brad Weber has presented symptom free after sustaining a broken nose and failing his HIA against Italy but he must satisfy the newly-introduced independent concussion process to be available, which may pave the way for TJ Perenara to rekindle his halves partnership with Beauden Barrett from Cardiff.
Sevu Reece’s bone bruising from the Italian match is the only other minor injury concern. That Sam Cane and possibly Coles, despite impressing with two tries against Italy, could miss the cut in Dublin typifies the difficult selection calls facing Ian Foster.
The All Blacks don’t have to reach deep into the tool box to know Ireland present a major challenge. While this is a new squad, many of whom are yet to experience the feverish Aviva Stadium atmosphere, a large group of leaders featured in many of the last five tests against Ireland that were split 3-2, a run that includes one win each in the last two ties in Dublin.
Coles made no attempt to dance around exactly what is at stake for the All Blacks in the next two weeks.
“It’s funny, you always think about the ones you’ve lost. In the last five years, they’ve always been down to the wire and could have gone either way, apart from the World Cup, when we were hurting from previous results,” Coles said of the All Blacks’ 46-14 quarter-final victory in Japan.
“They had a great win in the weekend, so I expect another tight tussle. They’re a different beast at home. They’ll be feeding off a full stadium, so it’s a great challenge for us.
“I remember last time over here that we lost, they just kept turning...
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