Samoa: Crowd control the key

Darren Shand

As part of what is becoming a logistical exercise to surpass even a World Cup defence in England and Wales, the 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 excitement building among the locals which is likely to reach fever pitch when the team touch down on July 6, two days ahead of the mid-week test. All Blacks manager Darren Shand, who has been in Apia recently on a reconnaissance mission along with Waikato Stadium turf manager Karl Johnson, yesterday reported that he was satisfied with the state of the pitch, Apia Park itself, and medical (including air ambulance) and hotel facilities.

That leaves as the only unknown the reaction of a population to an All Blacks team - which will include many players of Samoan heritage - playing a test in their country for the first time.

Shand didn't play down the challenges involved in organising the test two months out from the World Cup defence.

"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 and really setting up the frameworks. 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."

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 before will travel to Samoa.