Rugby: All Blacks get physical

Sam Cane will play in his first Rugby World Cup this year. Photo / Dean Purcell.

The All Blacks will come under enormous pressure both physically and mentally at the World Cup and it's part of the reason why they have focused on increased physicality during training sessions.

Assistant coach Ian Foster said it was "business as usual" for the squad, who took part in a training session at Eden Park this morning - with contact being an area of focus that was not necessarily enjoyable.

"It was needed," he said. "Sometimes you don't have to enjoy something but you know it's good for you. What you can't do is go into a massive test against Argentina in 12 days unprepared and not ready for the physicality that's going to come."

Sam Cane described the pre-World Cup training session as "full on", with the flanker wearing the opposing No 7 jersey against Richie McCaw in a training match observed by referee Nick Bryant.

Richie McCaw warms up before an All Blacks training session at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images

"There have been a few boys - me being one of them - who haven't played a lot of rugby in a little time," he said. "Getting out there and doing a little bit of rugby contact after a little while of not having it done is always nice."

It'll be Cane's first time playing in a World Cup and he's keen to learn as much as he can from more experienced teammates.

Nehe Milner-Skudder of the All Blacks warms up with Colin Slade during an All Blacks training session. Photo / Getty Images

"We've got guys who've been to three World Cups and we'd be silly not to use their knowledge and learn from their experiences.

"The key message has been, we've got to go out there and earn the right to progress further in the tournament. We can't take anything for granted. If you get too far ahead of yourself, who knows what can happen?"

This morning's training might have been the last time McCaw runs out at Eden Park. However, Foster says they're too busy to thinking about a succession plan just yet.

"We'll worry about that after Rugby World Cup," he said. "We're just too focused on the next six to eight weeks to be thinking too much about that, but we're happy with who's in the squad and they're there for a purpose."

- nzherald.co.nz