Dane Coles is set to join the All Blacks in the United States after recovering from a calf injury. Photo / Photosport
Dane Coles is set to join the All Blacks in the United States after recovering from a calf injury. Photo / Photosport
Assessing the All Blacks' upcoming end-of-year tour in the northern hemisphere, one test sticks out as being unlike the others.
The first stop of the tour will see the All Blacks touch down in Washington DC for a test against the United States of America, a team that recentlylost to Uruguay.
While not a fixture likely to get many Kiwi fans out of bed early on a Sunday morning, the test shapes as serving a different purpose.
For many of the players, the test will be a good chance for a hit-out at the international level, be it players new to the environment or players returning to the squad after absences, injury-related or otherwise.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane has signalled his desire to return to the test arena in the match after a lengthy stint on the sidelines recovering from a pectoral injury, while Dane Coles is another who could benefit from the hit-out before the side moves on to face Wales, Italy, Ireland and France on his return from a calf injury.
Speaking about what sort of mindset is needed in approaching this sort of test, Coles said respect was key in the professional sporting environment and was something anyone representing their country deserved, while it also provided other opportunities.
"I think a lot of the focus comes back to us," Coles said. "I don't know what Fozzie's (coach Ian Foster) mindset is. There might be a lot of guys that haven't played a lot of rugby in that game so they're going to be really excited to perform and put on the jersey."
The All Blacks last played the USA in 2014 in Chicago. Photo / Photosport
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the United States did not play a test in 2020 and returned with a promising performance in a 43-29 loss to England. Making up for lost time, the Eagles have been busy this year, having already played six tests. They picked up wins over Canada and Uruguay, but also lost to the same two lower-ranked teams in World Cup qualification matches, as well as suffering a 71-10 loss to Ireland.
Next weekend's test will be the All Blacks' first visit to the United States since facing Ireland there in 2016, and their first test against the Americans since a 74-6 win over the Eagles in 2014.
While both of those tests took place at Soldier Field in Chicago, this month's match presents the opportunity to display the games to a new market.
However, the All Blacks will be limited in their movements while in the United States to ensure they are not at risk of bringing the virus into camp and putting the rest of their tour at risk.
"Things will be very different," Coles admitted.
"We know what we're getting into; that's just the way it is. I don't think you want to risk going to do a bit of sightseeing and risk your team getting Covid. We'll just look outside the bus when we go to training, see what we can see, then go to the hotel and spend some quality time with the lads.
"It's a new city that the All Blacks haven't played in, so it's awesome for us to showcase some All Blacks style and play rugby in America which hasn't been done for a while."
