While the All Blacks are expected to run up a big score against Canada in their Rugby World Cup clash, Steve Hansen and his coaching staff just want to make sure they are moving forward with their game.
Two-time defending champions New Zealand are expected to top Pool B after beating South Africa in their first game and have planned to use matches against Canada, Namibia and Italy to fine tune their play before the quarter-finals.
“We just have to keep building combinations, keep building the attacking side of our game, keep learning about the conditions, which have influenced some of the games with the humidity,” assistant coach Ian Foster said on Tuesday.
“Ideally the Canada game gives us a fantastic opportunity to grow where we’re at.”
Ideally a bonus-point victory on Wednesday against a team ranked 22nd in the world, no injuries and no one falling foul of the disciplinary committee would be more than enough.
However, the match under the retractable roof at Oita Stadium could result in a rout, although lock Sam Whitelock said that was not their goal and they had to treat the game like another Test match.
“As All Blacks there is no such thing as tier one or tier two (teams),” he said.
“There is always something to work on.”
The All Blacks have their shortest turnaround in the tournament after the Canada game, having to travel to Tokyo to face Namibia on Sunday and Hansen has recognised the need to juggle the team selections.
He made 11 changes from XV that started against the Springboks, among them naming winger Rieko Ioane. – who has fallen behind George Bridge and Sevu Reece in the pecking order.
“I have been impressed with him. He has been working hard and is just waiting for his opportunity,” Hansen said of Ioane.
Canada coach Kingsley Jones, who has made six changes to his starting XV, felt they could be competitive match despite a poor record against the All Blacks.
“We have a tremendous amount of respect for New Zealand,” he said.
“We’ve got some tries in us so we’re not afraid to have a go but of course we’ve got to play in the right areas.”
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Richie Mo’unga, TJ Perenara, Kieran Read (capt), Matt Todd, Shannon Frizell, Scott Barrett, Patrick Tuipulotu, Angus Ta’avao, Liam Coltman, Atu Moli. Res: Codie Taylor, Ofa Tuungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Sam Whitelock, Ardie Savea, Brad Weber, Ryan Crotty, Ben Smith.
Canada: Patrick Parfrey, Jeff Hassler, Conor Trainor, Ciaran Hearn, DTH Van Der Merwe, Peter Nelson, Gordon McRorie, Tyler Ardron, Matt Heaton, Lucas Rumball, Conor Keys, Evan Olmstead, Cole Keith, Eric Howard, Djustice Sears-Duru. Res: Andrew Quattrin, Hubert Buydens, Jake Ilnicki, Michael Sheppard, 20-Josh Larsen, Phil Mack, Taylor Paris, Andrew Coe.