VIDEO: All Blacks tap into retiring centurions for motivation against Boks
New Zealand held a ‘special’ function on Monday, as they stepped up preparations for their World Cup Final face-off against South Africa.
Some of the biggest names in All Black history will make their final appearance, before walking off into the proverbial ‘sunset’.
Locks Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick, scrumhalf Aaron Smith and hooker Dane Coles are all set to retire from Test rugby after the decider.
At the same time, playmaker Beauden Barrett will head to Japan and may not feature for the All Blacks again.
Three of the retiring quartet have played more than 100 Tests – 34-year-old Whitelock (152 internationals) topping the list.
He is closely followed by Smith (34, 124) and Retallick (32, 108).
Coles (36) is on 90 Test caps.
Forwards coach Jason Ryan confirmed that they have ‘tapped into’ the experience of these veterans to help the team ahead of the historic encounter with their archrivals.
“We’ve talked about farewells,” he said about Monday’s get-together..
“We’ve talked this week about being the best that we can be.
“We had quite a nice night last [Monday] night as a team and some of our experienced leaders spoke about what it’s been to be an All Black and their previous experiences in World Cup, as well as some of the younger boys.
“That’s been a special part of our week and it was nice last [Monday] night listening to some of those guys.
“Anyone that has played 100 plus tests, you’ve got some stories, haven’t you.
“It was good to listen top those boys.”
(WATCH as forwards coach Jason Ryan talks about the motivation they will get from the retiring All Black legends when they face the Springboks in the World Cup Final on Saturday…)
Smith was singled out for special praise.
“[He is a] pretty special one,” Ryan told a media briefing at the team’s base – the Paris Country club.
“He has been right up there as the best scrumhalf in the world for a long time.
“[He is a] phenomenal man.
“[I] always had so much respect for ‘Nug’ and how he played the game from when I was involved in Super Rugby.
“Just his energy and the way he challenges and barks at his forward pack is good, keeps everyone honest.
“He leaves not only a great legacy. He is a great New Zealander to be fair.”
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