Richard Loe: Forget the eyeliner, All Black newbies must now perform

COMMENT


It can be quite intimidating when you first come into the All Blacks. And there are a lot of newcomers in this team.

People often talk about how they felt isolated or unwelcomed when they came into a top team like the All Blacks. They are colleagues and team-mates but they are also a threat to your position and status within the team. I think it has changed a bit now but the incumbents will still feel threatened because each one of the new guys is after someone's position. So that atmosphere can make the guys feel quite out of it. I've experienced that and the other side of the fence. It's all about competition.

During my time with the All Blacks, the only time I may have felt under pressure was when All Black coach Alex Wyllie bracketed me with Graeme Purvis and Steve McDowell with Laurence Hullena.

Alex then called for a live scrummaging session which went hard and ended quickly. When the dust settled, the brackets had been removed and Steve and I were in the team. Purvy, Laurence and reserve hooker Warrent Gatland were left wondering what the hell had happened.

So it's business time for the All Black newcomers. The time has passed for the spotlight to fall on which new guy was sewing whose trousers or what colour eyeliner is being used. The newcomers will be glad they are there but they will also know they have to perform - they'll feel the pressure from outside the team but also within it. When a new guy comes into the All Blacks they know they must not drop a ball and not miss a tackle. They know they have to fit into the team pattern as fast as they can.


So you may be surprised to know that I was pretty relaxed about the Ma'a Nonu and eyeliner thing. It's all window-dressing. Ma'a Nonu will be focusing on going out there, running hard, playing well and smashing a few people in the tackle.

And if he does, there'll be kids braiding their hair and applying eyeliner.

None of that matters. It's performance that matters now. Steve Hansen was asked if he thought it was essential that the All Blacks have 100 per cent record on this tour.

He answered with what I can only describe as a lot of corporate management-speak. At least Mitch --let the players do the talking on the field most of the time. They'll be lining up to do the business against Italy. Dan Carter will be given a run at first-five and I wouldn't be surprised if they empty the bench and play a few others who may not normally get a lot of game time.

However, Italy will not be easy.

They are no mugs up front and, like France and Argentina, they have that Latin temperament and are ready to go to war in front of their home crowd.

I'd expect the All Blacks to have a bit of a settling down period but then put up a large score.


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