All Blacks coach says they know what to expect from Namibia

After facing Namibia at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, All Blacks assistant coach Scott McLeod said the three-time world champions know what to expect from the Welwitschias when the sides meet again at the global showpiece in Toulouse on Friday.

That 2019 pool match was played at Tokyo Stadium where the All Blacks sealed a 71-9 victory after leading 24-9 at half-time, with Namibia being very competitive during that first half.

McLeod revealed that the Welwitschias were playing well during that encounter’s early stages and were physical and direct.

Preparing for another physical battle

“We expect much of the same. If you look at the type of people they are and where they’ve come from, mainly a farming background, we know we’re going to expect a really physical battle tomorrow so we’re prepared for that,” he said.

After recent back-to-back defeats to South Africa and France, McLeod said the All Blacks coaching staff were also giving the players selected for the Namibia clash an opportunity to prove themselves.

“It’s been recognised the last two results haven’t been the way we wanted them to go, so we’re giving people an opportunity,” he explained. “We’re going to need the whole squad.”

After losing their World Cup opener against France, experienced All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown said they are focused on improving in their three remaining pool games – against Namibia, Italy and Uruguay – to book a quarter-final place. Anything could happen after that.

Lienert-Brown emphasised the need for the All Blacks to stay mentally strong, and that all professional sportspeople needed to put time into their minds.

“It’s incredibly important, if you’re a professional athlete in whatever sport, you should be putting time into your mind,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s something that the All Blacks have done for a long time.

“We’re lucky to have Gilbert Enoka (All Blacks manager and mental skills coach), who is around and does a lot of that work well.

“The last couple of games have been disappointing for us, and we’ve got to make shifts in our game. We’ve got to get better, but we’ve stuck pretty tight as a group.

“Every individual has their methods or how they deal with losses and pressure, but then we’ve also got our support groups around us.

“We’ve been vulnerable in that space, and we’re committed to not worrying about the future or what it holds but about getting better every day. That’s what we can control.

“If you turn up every day and are driven to get better, then those small increments are going to add up to something good.”

Working hard at improving weaknesses

Meanwhile, back-row Luke Jacobson said they had been working on their breakdown play and their discipline after that defeat to France.

“There were far too many penalties. It makes it pretty tough to play rugby when you concede that many penalties,” he said.

“Losing’s not ideal. Unfortunately, we didn’t quite get things quite right.

“This week has been focusing on myself mainly. I’m pretty excited about getting a crack in the six jersey. I’ve just been excited about what I can bring to the field.”

READ MORE: New Zealand v Namibia preview: All Blacks to bounce back in style against Welwitschias