All-conquering All Blacks show the benefit of putting skills before strength | Paul Rees

Nov 03, 2016

While New Zealand focus on skills training in their youth teams, too many others emphasise strength and conditioning to the detriment of players’ ability to think

How do you solve a problem like New Zealand? It has been a question that has been asked down the ages and as the All Blacks troop to Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday looking for a 19th Test victory at Ireland’s expense, heads are being scratched harder than ever. And for Australia’s head coach, Michael Cheika, after his grumpy media conference following his side’s latest defeat to their rivals, irritation has become the sincerest form of flattery.

Tags: New Zealand rugby union team Rugby union Sport