By WYNNE GRAY
PARIS - Ticker is something Todd Blackadder has never lacked.
Ask him to do the hard yards and the request will not have to be repeated. That is why he is captain of the All Blacks, a player whose style says to his team-mates, "roll your sleeves up and dig it in."
He plays with courage, he talks in similar tones. His words are raw and passionate, his spiel is not manufactured or tailored to suit his audience.
He accepts that tomorrow morning's first test against France in Paris will deliver a huge judgment about the All Blacks' year. Much of their season will depend on the result of this Stade de France international.
Blackadder has to cut it at test level tomorrow. While he is still a novice test lock, he must take his inexperienced pack forward. He must send the right messages to his mates.
"What will my words mean if I don't do my job?" he asked on the eve of the test.
"This is a crunch game. There is a lot of pressure on. We have to stop the rot, otherwise it is three losses in a row. I think we are on track, but the only way to prove that is in this test. We have to show we have learned from our mistakes this season."
Five years ago, Blackadder made his first All Black tour to France. It was his greatest rugby experience so far.
"I was gobsmacked a bit by it all I suppose," he recalled.
Classed as a loose forward then, Blackadder nearly made it into the test side. In the first international at Toulouse he wore the No 19 jersey on the bench as he watched an inspired French side over-run the All Blacks.
Then he watched from home the inspired French overwhelm the All Blacks in the World Cup semifinal last year.
He understands the size of tomorrow's challenge.
"My memory of that Toulouse test is not a lot because I was so nervous and excited. It feels like such a blur, but it was not a great day and we were all gutted by it," he said.
This week Blackadder, the All Blacks and New Zealand A got a swift reminder of the furious inspiration France can bring to their rugby when their Barbarians strode to victory against NZ A at Lens.
"I have never seen a rugby side in the world who get so excited about turnover ball, and when they go they just go, don't they? We saw that the other night."
Blackadder's evaluation of his All Blacks is steady, some progress but also some difficulties. The loss to the Wallabies showed a lack of composure and some inexperience. Defeat against the Springboks was unacceptable.
"We let ourselves down there. I mean, you learn to tackle when you are about 10, and to miss so many, playing in an All Black side, was embarrassing.
"To come so far and fall at the last hurdle shows a weakness. It is not a physical thing, it is a mental thing.
"We have the best coaches and players, and we have to show in this test we have removed that weakness from our game."
Each member of the All Black pack had to step up this weekend if the team's dangerous backline were to get some real chances.
On his own checklist, Blackadder has pinpointed kickoff receptions for special improvement. If he did not set an example then his commands became empty orders, he said.
"I love being captain, I am a very proud New Zealander. Being in the All Blacks, let alone being All Black captain, is a great moment in my life, something to die for, really."
The 29-year-old laughed when he realised he had gone a little over the top with his last comment, but the feeling was self-evident.
"It has come to this game when our season will be judged. I realise the pressures of that, but I am not going to let that get to me or weigh me down. I am going to make sure I am right at kickoff.
"I have always said I will never worry about the things I can't control. The only thing I can control is how I play."
NZ Herald Online feature: Rugby Tour 2000
Test schedule/scoreboard
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from Sport
A-League football star arrested, charged with sexual assault
Football Australia imposes interim suspension on Central Coast Mariners player.