Turbo-charged ABs learn to 'slow it down'

By TOBY ROBSON in Cape Town - Fairfax Media | Tuesday, 12 August 2008

Mils Muliaina says the All Blacks are slowly learning how to ease back on the throttle under rugby's ELVs with a greater willingness to concede the lineout throw.

The All Blacks fullback said the game had sped up so much under the new rules that in the already turbo-charged test arena it was easy for the tempo go get out of control.

"It's a lot faster, but there are times when you can control the pace of the game without just tapping the ball when it's not really on from free kicks," he said from the team's Table Bay hotel.

"When the new rules came in everyone was nuts over getting the ball and tapping it. Halfbacks were digging in, getting it out and running even though the defensive line was set and then they were just turning it over.

"You are actually just putting yourself under the hammer. There are times during the game where you have to stop and say, 'hey we do have to slow it down a bit'. And that's when you just have to kick it out."

That tactic worked a treat against Australia in Auckland where the All Blacks lineout reigned supreme.

Muliaina said the loss to the Wallabies in Sydney had been a turning point for the side in realising that full-speed was not always the best speed.

"We didn't play smart footy and we definitely should have kicked it out instead of running. In the end we ran out of steam."

The 62-test veteran said controlling the tempo of the match would again be key against South Africa at Newlands this weekend.

The Springboks spent a lengthy session practicing their kick-chase and counter attack today and Muliaina said it was the area of the game that had gained most in importance under the ELVs.

"From a fullback's perspective it's changed immensely. Not being able to kick out from the 22, you have to really make sure you are on the job there as to whether you return the kick or run it.

"Right across the board you have to be more aware of it [kicking]. When you are playing the kicking game it's a lot easier from set piece, but it's when it's returned that things get a bit complicated."

The trick was ensuring the players who stayed back to receive kicks were capable of both running, or returning fire with their boot, Muliaina said.

That may be behind the All Blacks selectors chopping and changing on the wings with neither Rudi Wulf or Anthony Tuitavake particularly strong kickers.

Richard Kahui is seen as a better option, while Sitiveni Sivivatu makes up for his kicking deficiencies in other areas.

"It's fair to say there is a lot more emphasis [at training] and learning to kick into space. Under the old laws wings just chased or ran."

Kicking coach Mick Byrne had become an invaluable tool in upskilling and educating the players' boots, he said.

"That's the biggest change in the way the game's gone. You have to have guys who can kick right through the backline and you can't get stuck with wings and fullbacks or whoever else is back there who can't kick."