Rugby: Police ready for Samoan enthusiasm

Julian Savea of the All Blacks. Photo / Getty Images

As part of what is becoming a logistical exercise to surpass even a World Cup defence in England and Wales, All Blacks' management have been liaising closely with Samoa Police before their historic test in July.

Due to World Cup regulations, the All Blacks' bus won't receive a police escort in London but it will almost certainly need one in Apia due to the excitement building among the locals, which is likely to reach fever pitch when the team touch down on July 6, two days before the mid-week test.

All Blacks manager Darren Shand, who has been in Apia on a reconnaissance mission along with Waikato Stadium turf manager Karl Johnson, yesterday reported he was satisfied with Apia Park and the state of the pitch, as well as medical (including air ambulance) and hotel facilities.

But there are concerns over the reaction to an All Blacks team - which will include many players of Samoan heritage - playing a test in their country for the first time.

Shand described the test as a "significant" event and acknowledged the challenges involved in organising it.

"We've spent time liaising with the Samoan Police and the New Zealand Police have a liaison based in the Pacific who works quite closely with the embassy up there and he's been involved," Shand said.

"We've always had our own private security managing these sorts of events. They've looked at the key points - the airport arrival and departure, and around the hotel and community events that we're running.

"I guess that's our biggest fear - the enthusiasm of the people and how we best manage that; getting the balance right between meeting that enthusiasm but not letting it get out of control because there's a fine line between chaos and fun."

An All Blacks Rugby Championship squad of 41 players will be announced on June 21, with a group assembling in Takapuna for a training camp on June 24. No players involved with the Super Rugby semifinals that weekend will be involved.

A squad of 29 players will assemble on July 1 and will leave for Samoa on July 6. No players involved in the Super Rugby final to be held two days previously will travel to Samoa.

Shand confirmed the reason behind the All Blacks' late departure for Samoa was around facilities and player welfare.

"We can't get the sort of facilities and training that we can get at home," he said. "We know if we prepare well we play well, so we have to prioritise that. We still think we can do a number of other things over there to meet the other needs around the match and engage with the people with the time we've got and we'll do a good job of that as well."

Shand said he was satisfied the mosquito-borne virus Chikungunya, which raised concerns last year, would not put the All Blacks at risk.