Rugby: New All Black Jordan Taufua not sweating it too much in warm-up

Jordan Taufua in the gym. Photo / Photosport

Most people like to take it easy before a game of footy. New All Black Jordan Taufua isn't one of those.

The Crusaders loose forward has revealed to the Herald on Sunday how coach Scott Robertson last year forced him to dial down his hour-long pre-game warm-up which included a 20-minute stint on the excercycle followed by press-ups, core work and shoulder work - before joining the rest of his team-mates for the actual warm-up.

"I'm basically dripping in sweat before we run out for the warm-up," said Taufua, who injured himself while at the All Blacks training camp this week.

"So, yeah, used to basically play a game before the game."

Taufua, who debuted on the national stage at provincial level with Tasman in 2012, said he kept up the ritual for about five years but noted he would get tired in the final 20 minutes of matches as a result.

"Razor [Robertson] pulled me aside and said 'Let's talk about your pre-game warm-up.' That was the first time anyone talked to me about it.

"He goes 'Maybe you should just pull it back a little bit because you're an experienced player now, you know what to do to get to the stage where you're ready, so maybe pull back on it'."

Taufua made those changes, dialling it back to the point where he could still get a sweat on but not expend too much energy. He said age also had something to do with it.

"The older you get, the more you pull back and you know a lot more about yourself. That almost an hour warm-up has cut down to 10-15 minutes max. I still do the same thing, but just a lot smarter. I was using a lot of energy in those warm-ups."

Taufua, 26, was one of three new All Blacks named in the squad to take on France next month, alongside Highlanders loose forward Shannon Frizell and Chiefs halfback Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi.