Days off for All Blacks

AIX-EN-PROVENCE – The All Blacks are enjoying two days off from their punishing schedule to recharge batteries and return refreshed for the charge into the quarter-finals in a bid for World Cup glory.

The break comes midway through New Zealand’s quest for a second World Cup trophy after winning the inaugural tournament in 1987. The air at the team’s luxurious hotel here and earlier in Marseille has been remarkably relaxed, and that has now been further tempered by the arrival of the players’ partners and family.”Our big focus this week is recharging the batteries mentally and getting away from each other,” admitted assistant coach Steve Hansen.”We’re here for 57 days.We always planned to have two-and-a-half days off at this time.”When we come back, obviously we want another good performance in our set piece plays and look to tidy up some of the errors (we made against Scotland) that we made that shouldn’t have been made.”Hansen, who said he planned a vineyard visit with fellow assistant Wayne Smith, said: “It’s always difficult when you’re away from home.”Some of the partners and families are here.That’s refreshing.”I guess just having a couple of days where we can just go and be normal human beings again with people that matter is important.”The excitement you get when you come back and see your mates is like when we’re all at school.”Nampa-AFPThe air at the team’s luxurious hotel here and earlier in Marseille has been remarkably relaxed, and that has now been further tempered by the arrival of the players’ partners and family.”Our big focus this week is recharging the batteries mentally and getting away from each other,” admitted assistant coach Steve Hansen.”We’re here for 57 days.We always planned to have two-and-a-half days off at this time.”When we come back, obviously we want another good performance in our set piece plays and look to tidy up some of the errors (we made against Scotland) that we made that shouldn’t have been made.”Hansen, who said he planned a vineyard visit with fellow assistant Wayne Smith, said: “It’s always difficult when you’re away from home.”Some of the partners and families are here.That’s refreshing.”I guess just having a couple of days where we can just go and be normal human beings again with people that matter is important.”The excitement you get when you come back and see your mates is like when we’re all at school.”Nampa-AFP