Back >>

Just the beginning for New Zealand

Knowing that points are vital in Tri Nations aspirations, the All Blacks have a few days off before preparing their next stage of their assault in Melbourne, against Australia in a fortnight.

Sunday, 18 July 2010

Sportal.co.nz

Knowing that points are vital in Tri Nations aspirations, the All Blacks have a few days off before preparing their next stage of their assault in Melbourne, against Australia in a fortnight.

Fullback Mils Muliaina, who scored his 26th try in his 85th Test, in the 31-17 win over South Africa at Wellington's Westpac Stadium said it would be interesting to see how Australia went against South Africa next Saturday.

But the All Blacks were heading to Melbourne, where they lost their last match in 2007, knowing that away points were much harder to win.

"To get 10 points at home and now to go over to Australia and try to beat the Aussies will be a tough ask," he said.

No-one would have predicted New Zealand would have maximum points against the world champions after the two games but that was only a beginning, he said.

"We've got a lot of confidence. There has been a lot of planning go into it over the past four or five weeks and it is really satisfying after all that planning to get that result. There's going to be a lot more going into it now with the Aussies and going into Johannesburg."

Muliaina said the side had the luxury of having good ball players right through the team with players like Keven Mealamu, Jerome Kaino and Richie McCaw all showing their skills at times.

"They can pop that ball up and use good footwork so I think we're pretty lucky we've got those guys in and we've got a little bit of confidence in us now and that allows us to have a go instead of tucking it, putting it under your arm and waiting for something to happen," he said.

His work with Dagg was helping him with little things, his positioning.

"He's a really talented kid. I don't want to be in his ear too much but it's the little things I can give that will hopefully help like doing your homework and making sure you're right on the spot when you're in a certain position, and a little bit deeper here and there," he said.

It wasn't a case of getting into his head too much because he had the talent and the last thing he wanted was an old guy like him telling him what to do but there was also what he got back from Dagg that was beneficial as well.

His try was an indication of the talent he had. "To score a try out of nothing and beat so many players just goes to show what sort of player he really is," he said.

Back >>