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Total trust in one another ‘is secret to All Blacks’ success’

SINGAPORE — The dominance of New Zealand in international men’s rugby union is almost absolute. Since the current world rankings system was introduced in September 2003, only two other nations — England and South Africa — have held the top spot.

All Blacks props Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Joe Moody and  Wyatt Crockett say being able to rely completely on everyone else is a foundation for consistent performance. Photo: Teo Teng Kiat

All Blacks props Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Joe Moody and Wyatt Crockett say being able to rely completely on everyone else is a foundation for consistent performance. Photo: Teo Teng Kiat

SINGAPORE — The dominance of New Zealand in international men’s rugby union is almost absolute. Since the current world rankings system was introduced in September 2003, only two other nations — England and South Africa — have held the top spot.

But their moments there were almost aberrations. The All Blacks have been No 1 for almost 86 per cent of the time since the inception and have not been dislodged since November 2009.

In that period, they added the 2011 and 2015 World Cups to their 1987 triumph, making them the first team to retain the title as well as to win it thrice.

The intensity and precision of the team’s play, which is underpinned by the famed haka, the traditional Maori war dance performed before every Test, stems from the implicit trust they have in one another, according to All Blacks star prop Joe Moody.

“I think the major one that probably sets us aside from other teams is the trust we have,” the 28-year-old told TODAY yesterday morning at the Four Seasons Hotel. “We all know from No 1 through to 23, and ... even the guys that aren’t playing, everyone’s got to be there and do their job.

“You don’t have to worry about filling in anyone else’s responsibility; you just have to do your job and do it right because you know that everyone else is going to do theirs, and that just makes it a lot easier.”

Fellow front-rower Wyatt Crockett, who made his debut in 2009 and was part of the World Cup victory last year, added that senior players like him play an important role in helping to create that kind of atmosphere.

“To trust someone, you’ve got to have consistent behaviour — make sure that what you say, you do,” the 33-year-old explained. “In particular, it’s got to come from the coach and senior players and captain; make sure that ... they are backing it up themselves and leading the way.”

Together with reserve prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi, the trio arrived in Singapore yesterday morning to help launch the WHY AIG movement. It serves to reaffirm the role of AIG, a major global sponsor of the All Blacks since 2012, as a business partner committed to delivering value to customers.

Naturally, higher expectations come with increased pressure, but Moody asserted that it can be “beneficial” if used “the right way”.

Crockett added that the players are kept on their toes by competition for places within the squad, as well as improving opposition like France, Argentina, England and Ireland.

“We’ve got a good mental skills coach, Gilbert Enoka, who is always trying to set higher goals for us to achieve, to aspire to and be better at,” he said.

Tu’ungafasi, who gained his first cap this year, is motivated for more. “It’s been really good playing a few Tests this year,” he said. “I am looking forward to going back next year and hopefully getting back into it.”

The All Blacks ended the calendar year with a 24-19 victory over France on Saturday and with just one loss — a defeat to Ireland earlier this month that ended a record 18-match winning streak. The excellent season has sparked talk that this All Blacks side is the greatest ever in rugby history, though Moody says that isn’t on the players’ minds.

“I haven’t really thought about that statement, but it’s definitely what we strive to be as a team,” he admitted.

“We want to be the best — that’s one of our goals, to be the greatest.”

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