'Most dominant team in the history of the world'

[The InnFORCEr]

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

Last updated 08:44 13/11/2013


The All Blacks are carrying cool personas in public ahead of their test with England but a sign in their team room in London declares: "We are the most dominant team in the history of the world."

The Daily Telegraph has published a snapshot of motivational messages it reported were posted on a whiteboard in the All Blacks' headquarters at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington.

Coach Steve Hansen has kept things low-key in his official capacity with the English media.

Asked about preparations, he declared: "They are going well, we are going OK."

But behind what were meant to be closed doors, the importance of this match was there to be seen as New Zealand look to avenge last year's 38-21 loss to England and keep their hopes of a perfect year alive with just Ireland to play after this.

"We are playing England - this is about history, about human nature" screamed one message.

"On Saturday, don't moan, even to yourself" cried another.

The forwards have been ordered to place extra emphasis on "lineout delivery".

And under a heading of "Responses to strengthen this week" on the back of last Sunday's scrappy win over France, were the instructions to "use your shoulders, see both sides, and concentrate on your breathing".

Telegraph journalist Oliver Brown wrote: "The motivational mantra was one of a series delivered to the world champions ahead of their match against England at Twickenham this weekend, 12 months after they suffered a record 38-21 defeat by Stuart Lancaster's team.

"They were scrawled on a whiteboard, seen by Telegraph Sport, inside the aptly named Lancaster Suite at Kensington's Royal Garden Hotel, and together gave an insight into how the All Blacks plan to intimidate England, along with a vow to 'reach new levels mentally as a group'."

There is little there in the way of leaked secrets but the fact that it was seen and reported by the dogged British media will annoy the All Blacks bosses.

It will also make them aware that the public stakes have raised this week as much as the in-house tension portrayed by their whiteboard - this is England, this is London and you have to have your guard up on and off the field.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...y-of-the-world

[Buddha Handy]

DUNCAN JOHNSTONE

Last updated 08:44 13/11/2013


The All Blacks are carrying cool personas in public ahead of their test with England but a sign in their team room in London declares: "We are the most dominant team in the history of the world."

The Daily Telegraph has published a snapshot of motivational messages it reported were posted on a whiteboard in the All Blacks' headquarters at the Royal Garden Hotel in Kensington.

Coach Steve Hansen has kept things low-key in his official capacity with the English media.

Asked about preparations, he declared: "They are going well, we are going OK."

But behind what were meant to be closed doors, the importance of this match was there to be seen as New Zealand look to avenge last year's 38-21 loss to England and keep their hopes of a perfect year alive with just Ireland to play after this.

"We are playing England - this is about history, about human nature" screamed one message.

"On Saturday, don't moan, even to yourself" cried another.

The forwards have been ordered to place extra emphasis on "lineout delivery".

And under a heading of "Responses to strengthen this week" on the back of last Sunday's scrappy win over France, were the instructions to "use your shoulders, see both sides, and concentrate on your breathing".

Telegraph journalist Oliver Brown wrote: "The motivational mantra was one of a series delivered to the world champions ahead of their match against England at Twickenham this weekend, 12 months after they suffered a record 38-21 defeat by Stuart Lancaster's team.

"They were scrawled on a whiteboard, seen by Telegraph Sport, inside the aptly named Lancaster Suite at Kensington's Royal Garden Hotel, and together gave an insight into how the All Blacks plan to intimidate England, along with a vow to 'reach new levels mentally as a group'."

There is little there in the way of leaked secrets but the fact that it was seen and reported by the dogged British media will annoy the All Blacks bosses.

It will also make them aware that the public stakes have raised this week as much as the in-house tension portrayed by their whiteboard - this is England, this is London and you have to have your guard up on and off the field.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/a...y-of-the-world

I think the poms are in for a bit of hurt this weekend. Should be good to watch!

[sittingbison]

...The All Blacks are carrying cool personas in public ahead of their test with England but a sign in their team room in London declares: "We are the most dominant team in the history of the world." ...

ermmmm....New York Yacht Clubs 150 year winning streak comes to mind.

And they were also a bunch of thieving cheats

[jono]

Am i the only one waiting to see hansen's reaction to this?

[jargan83]

Caught most of this game before the Wallabies

Damn good game!

[beige]

Caught most of this game before the Wallabies

Damn good game!

It was - shame we were caught between literally the two worst countries you can possibly get caught between

[jargan83]

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says a journalist reporting on messages within their team meeting room is a "breach of trust".

A reporter for London's Daily Telegraph newspaper gained access to the room at the All Blacks' hotel and published a story outlining several of the team's motivational messages posted on the wall.

Hansen was pleased the story revealed little that would benefit England ahead of Saturday's Test at Twickenham.

"But when there's a breach of trust by you guys, it's always disappointing because we're trying to work together," Hansen said.

"I just wished he (reporter Oliver Brown) had come and asked me what it all meant because what he wrote didn't make sense."

Hansen said All Blacks management were critical of themselves for leaving the way clear for such a breach and would review their security.

One of the written messages reportedly said: "We are the most dominant team in the history of the world."

Hansen had to explain the message, which he says wasn't intended to be arrogant.

"I read this week that England want to be No.2 in the world, and they're striving to be better than they are," he said.

"What we're striving to be is better than we are at the moment, which is No.1.

"If you don't look to improve yourself, you're going to go backwards.

"We've got massive expectations in our country from our fans and we wouldn't change that."

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...-for-snooping/

[shasta]

Hansen had to explain the message, which he says wasn't intended to be arrogant.


"What we're striving to be is better than we are at the moment, which is No.1.

"If you don't look to improve yourself, you're going to go backwards.


http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...-for-snooping/

How do you improve from being the most dominant team in the history of the world?
Not arrogant at all Steve. Maybe the NPC should be renamed the World Series.

[jono]

Don't tempt them
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