The Rugby Fobcast

All Blacks coach praises Polynesians influence on All Black Culture

April 19, 2007 on 2:34 am | In Rugby Fobcast News |

All Blacks head coach, has praised the influence of pacific Islanders in the revolutionary era of All Blacks rugby.

He was quoted as saying that, over the last 10 years of his professional coaching reign, he has come to the conclusion that rugby players in the All Blacks squads are not as competitive as say 10 years ago.

Not in a bad way, but yet in a more giving way.

In the early 90s there were the likes of Zinzan Brooke & Sean Fitzpatrick running around, there was never a chance of them giving their position up in the All Blacks for rotation, but with the increased numbers of Polyneisans making the All Blacks & becoming leaders in the team they also brought with them their high family values & their willingness to help out their fellow players (brothers) to achieve their goals.

With this in mind, the All Blacks Managment where able to introduce the Rotation policy &  now after almost 2 years have devolped a squad of over 40 players capable of playing test rugby for the All Blacks.

Although the success of this approch will be measured with thier success at this years Rugby World Cup, it was great to hear the All Black coach acknowledge the positive influence that the polynesian players bring to the All Blacks.