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Old stagers set the tone

Cory Jane, a relative newcomer in Test ranks, said it had been something special to see the way more experienced players in the side had risen to the challenge against South Africa in the first Test.

Friday, 16 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Cory Jane, a relative newcomer in Test ranks, said it had been something special to see the way more experienced players in the side had risen to the challenge against South Africa in the first Test.

He said fullback Mils Muliaina especially had provided a graphic demonstration of what being an All Black was all about.

Jane said it seemed to be the way that when young players came in and played well that people said older players like Muliaina might be over it, but he had shown what a fine player he still was.

"Especially an outside back like us, we put in a lot of pride and work into the counter-attack and to see him just open up was something special.

"That's what you need, the big fellows turn up for the big games. They show all the young guys, the inexperienced guys, this is how it is done. We'll lead from the front, you just follow us. You saw that Richie [McCaw] always does that, Dan [Carter], they're always on their game. Kevey [Mealamu] with his little footwork he should be a back. They always step up," he said.

There would be no problem getting back to the sort of level that resulted in last week's win in Auckland.

Playing for your country meant there was no difficulty in that at all, Jane said.

"I don't know about the other guys but I am not going to have a problem because I love playing for the All Blacks. I don't there is as much pressure from the outside as there was last week.

"But there is a lot of pressure from the inside of the team because we know we have to get better because if we don't South Africa will and we will get rolled," he said.

While one win was satisfying, it didn't make a Tri Nations and the need was to get better.

If New Zealand could win all its home games and then get a win away, in South Africa, then that would help the cause.

An added point of interest for the counter-attacking play of the side would come from Rene Ranger's inclusion for the injured Joe Rokocoko. But Jane said there similarities between the two, especially in terms of strength.

He also felt South Africa would be keen to involve its own counter-attacking play in Wellington. And there would be much more support for those players involved than was the case in Auckland.

"There's an opportunity for both teams to attack so you've just got to be smart and prepare for that," he said.

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