All Blacks refreshed and raring to play - Read

Name: All Blacks: 'We're here, it's real'
Uploaded: 2015-09-12T19:23:50+12:00
Duration: 197 s
Description: The All Blacks have judged their build-up just about right in terms of the amount they have played. "We are fresh," said Read. "As a group a lot of us are itching to get back on the park. It's been a good month really between games. Our bodies are in really good nick. We've worked hard together as a group and now we want to put it out on the field.

By Gregor Paul in London

Herald on Sunday·

12 Sep, 2015 06:25 AM3 mins to read

The All Blacks have judged their build-up just about right in terms of the amount they have played. "We are fresh," said Read. "As a group a lot of us are itching to get back on the park. It's been a good month really between games. Our bodies are in really good nick. We've worked hard together as a group and now we want to put it out on the field.

The All Blacks haven't played for the better part of a month. They only had five tests before picking their squad - less football than nearly every other team at the tournament.

They even turned down the opportunity to play another test before the World Cup - saying they'd had enough rugby as it was after playing Samoa, Argentina, South Africa and Australia twice.

It seemed a risk at the time - the All Blacks coming into the World Cup perhaps a little underdone.

No chance says Kieran Read. It was the perfect amount of rugby he reckons and the break since the last game on August 15 has served the players well. They didn't need another game.

For the first time in his career he's arrived to play in Europe with his body-fresh and raring to go. Mentally he's strong and eager.

Typically, by the time the All Blacks land in Europe for their end of season tour, they have played 10 tests and been around the world at least once, if not twice already. Typically they have players who are starting to feel the bite of a long season.

Not this time. The All Blacks have judged their build-up just about right in terms of the amount they have played.

"We are fresh," said Read. "As a group a lot of us are itching to get back on the park. It's been a good month really between games. Our bodies are in really good nick. We've worked hard together as a group and now we want to put it out on the field.

"It was great to be able to look down and see a few little villages and actually see the ground with no clouds in the way and have some sunshine on our backs when we landed.

"It was certainly a different feeling and a real energiser actually to have that [sun]. Hopefully it sticks around for a few more weeks."

The added bonus for the All Blacks has been the lack of injuries they have suffered coming into the tournament. To illustrate the benefits of their lighter build-up, Wales lost two key players in a warm-up test against Italy last week - the loss of Leigh Halfpenny in particular rocking their confidence.

What's particularly encouraging about hearing Read say he's energised is the prospect of him bursting into this best form at this World Cup. There is a feeling he's ready to storm back to his best form in this tournament after a mixed bag in the five tests leading in.

He played superbly in the final Bledisloe Cup encounter - romping all over Eden Park and the All Blacks were the better for it. His influence is huge when he's at his best - allowing as he does the All Blacks to be gritty and brutal in the close exchanges around the ruck whole also giving them a point of difference further out.

No other No 8 in world rugby can match Read for impact or skills and the All Blacks are determined to see him deliver all that he can at this tournament.