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Mental game the focus

Working on the mental aspect of playing Test rugby remains a key focus for the All Blacks, says assistant coach Wayne Smith.

Thursday, 15 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Working on the mental aspect of playing Test rugby remains a key focus for the All Blacks, says assistant coach Wayne Smith.

For several years now the players have worked with Gilbert Enoka to ensure they have the right mental skills to cope with the pressure of top-level rugby and Smith says such work is just as important as honing the playing skills required to be successful on the international stage.

"It's a continual work-on. It's like kicking or passing or any of those skills. It's something that you develop, that experience helps you with.

"You've got to build your mental toughness just like you build your tool box.

"[Gilbert] works individually with players and certainly over the last seven years I've been involved I think we've seen some good improvement."

Fullback Mils Muliaina gave some insight into techniques that players can use when he explained how he saw red after dropping a high ball early in the 32-12 win against South Africa last weekend but had taught himself to see blue in order to refocus.

The Chiefs star went on to have one of his best games in an All Blacks jersey as he counter-attacked strongly with one decisive run leading to Conrad Smith's opening try.

"Gilbert works with all the players on an individual level and they've all got their own ways of coping with pressure. That's one way Mils copes with it and it worked well."

The mental preparation was also a key factor in ensuring All Blacks didn't retaliate when provoked by the opposition, Smith said.

"We make sure that we don't retaliate and we keep our discipline. Penalties are a big part of the game, particularly against the Springboks and I think that it's important that you limit that.

"I think the game in general demands that you play at this level with real discipline and keep it clean," said the assistant coach.

Despite such a comprehensive victory in last weekend's Tri Nations match at Eden Park where the Springboks' tactics of trying to bash their way up field or opting for the kick-chase failed, Smith cautioned against writing off the South Africans as a limited side.

"We've seen in the Super 14 that they've got multi-skilled players and they can play a different game," he said.

"You've got to suggest that maybe they can come and play that on Saturday. Certainly you go in and predict they are going to do certain things but you've also got to expect that there will be some unpredicted events that will take place and how you handle that is one of the big factors in the result."

There was also a tip or two for referees who now find themselves officiating a game played at a far higher tempo under the new law interpretations.

"It's just like the players - get fitter," Smith said. "The ball in play is around 40 minutes now consistently in the Test matches we have played this year.

"If you talk to tight forwards they will tell you how the game has changed markedly with the amount of running they've got to do.

"Just as the players do, the referees are going to have to make sure they are right up there fitness wise.

"I see it's been suggested that we get two of them [referees] on the track. Those ideas might be good ideas too," he added.

"I think the game is going in the direction that people want it to go in. There can't be too many complaints from people watching the game at the moment and that's great.

"But we've got to make sure that the fitness levels of everyone go up so we can continue playing it like that."

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