28/09/2007
NZPA
Enough is enough. Jerry Collins says it's time the All Blacks started playing like would-be world champions.
It's only Romania tomorrow and three figures will be threatened on Le Stadium Toulouse scoreboard, as was achieved against Portugal when Collins last led the team two weeks ago.
He won't bother to look as the numbers turn over.
Like his coaches and teammates this week, the tough flanker has called for serious improvement from the disjointed defeat of a weak Scottish side last weekend.
It is crucial impetus is created heading into a match the likes of which they haven't gone close to sampling at this tournament -- a quarterfinal in Cardiff, probably against France.
Collins laces his message with a reality All Blacks supporters won't want to hear.
"After this week it could all be over the following week," he said.
"Next week you'll be talking about how we've gone home."
The fact that the bulk of tomorrow's starting 15 won't line up in Cardiff is irrelevant.
"I suppose you use these games to figure out how you get it right on the day," Collins said.
"Hopefully Saturday will be much better than last Saturday because we really need to start kicking into gear and working towards a quarterfinal."
The manner, rather than the size, of victory is all important.
And that means not ditching the daring attitude seen at Edinburgh, just executing it better.
Pushing passes and forgetting core work at the breakdown was a common theme, something that Collins is out to nip in the bud.
"It's not from a lack of trying. We're trying to play some footy and at the moment it's just the little things that are letting us down," Collins said.
"There aren't many teams trying to move the ball, at the moment there seems to be a lot of bombs.
"At the moment we're trying to play our style of game ... but we probably haven't mastered it yet."
It's only Romania tomorrow and three figures will be threatened on Le Stadium Toulouse scoreboard, as was achieved against Portugal when Collins last led the team two weeks ago.
He won't bother to look as the numbers turn over.
Like his coaches and teammates this week, the tough flanker has called for serious improvement from the disjointed defeat of a weak Scottish side last weekend.
It is crucial impetus is created heading into a match the likes of which they haven't gone close to sampling at this tournament -- a quarterfinal in Cardiff, probably against France.
Collins laces his message with a reality All Blacks supporters won't want to hear.
"After this week it could all be over the following week," he said.
"Next week you'll be talking about how we've gone home."
The fact that the bulk of tomorrow's starting 15 won't line up in Cardiff is irrelevant.
"I suppose you use these games to figure out how you get it right on the day," Collins said.
"Hopefully Saturday will be much better than last Saturday because we really need to start kicking into gear and working towards a quarterfinal."
The manner, rather than the size, of victory is all important.
And that means not ditching the daring attitude seen at Edinburgh, just executing it better.
Pushing passes and forgetting core work at the breakdown was a common theme, something that Collins is out to nip in the bud.
"It's not from a lack of trying. We're trying to play some footy and at the moment it's just the little things that are letting us down," Collins said.
"There aren't many teams trying to move the ball, at the moment there seems to be a lot of bombs.
"At the moment we're trying to play our style of game ... but we probably haven't mastered it yet."
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