AB's to lay down the law
The All Blacks believe that the trial laws will suit their high-paced game as they look to defend a proud record in Europe.
The world champions have not lost a tour game in Europe in over a decade, and they face the challenge of having to adapt to new laws governing the ruck and scrum engagement this time around.
Apart from the 2007 World Cup quarterfinal, the last time the All Blacks lost in Europe was against England in 2002, and they have never lost to either Scotland or Italy.
However, No.8 Kieran Read believes that the '5 second rule' at ruck-time will actually benefit his team's high-tempo style of play.
“I don't think the five-second rule will alter us too much,” he said.
“We want to play a pretty quick game.”
He explained that it will probably have more of an impact on how their opponents approach the game, and warned that he expects the All Blacks to be tested defensively.
“It's only really going to change maybe the way they use their ruck ball, but those teams up there are starting to change the way they play and trying to be a lot more attacking,” he said.
“The last few years they've showed they can throw the ball around.”
Read said that the trickiest part will be the new engagement timing in the scrums.
“It's more getting used to the scrum call and making sure we can adjust to how we're going to attack the scrums,” he said.
