{"id":14524,"date":"2021-09-02T10:00:42","date_gmt":"2021-09-01T22:00:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=14524"},"modified":"2021-09-02T10:34:04","modified_gmt":"2021-09-01T22:34:04","slug":"plumtree-expecting-physical-challenge-from-australia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/09\/02\/plumtree-expecting-physical-challenge-from-australia\/","title":{"rendered":"Plumtree expecting physical challenge from Australia"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"GettyImages<\/div>\n
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Maintaining a steady hand at the helm will be the task of All Blacks management as they negotiate their way through a testing Fortinet Rugby Championship that resumes against Australia in Perth on Sunday.<\/div>\n
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Down on experience, confined in backup numbers should injuries strike, and facing opponents looking to probe for any vulnerabilities, the All Blacks were prepared for the challenges involved.<\/p>\n

Assistant coach John Plumtree said that process has already begun. First up, they know nothing will change with Australia’s reaction as they attempt to avoid an All Blacks Bledisloe Cup clean sweep.<\/p>\n

They will be physical and looking to capitalise on the backing of a big crowd for an afternoon game.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the All Blacks were concentrating on their preparation and getting over to Perth last week had allowed them to adjust their bodies to the time difference.<\/p>\n

Plumtree was confident in Sam Whitelock’s absence that Patrick Tuipulotu, Scott Barrett and Tupou Va’ai were all good locks capable of stepping up to partner Brodie Retallick in his new leadership role.<\/p>\n

Beauden Barrett was on hand for first five-eighths in Richie Mo’unga’s absence while the halfbacks TJ Perenara, Brad Weber and Finlay Christie all had chances in Aaron Smith’s absence.<\/p>\n

As a coach who had worked with Ardie Savea with the Hurricanes, Plumtree said it had been fun watching Savea go about his duty as an All Black captain.<\/p>\n

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\u201cHe’s had to step up to his role, take on more responsibility, and it has been good for him. All of a sudden, he’s interested in everything that goes on. But he hasn’t changed. He’s relying on the other leaders in the team to go about their business and help him out and support him.\u201d<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

JOHN PLUMTREE<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

“He’s doing it the Ardie Savea way. He’s staying calm, building into his week and focusing on what he needs to do and what his job is, and at the same time leading the team, and leading the pack,” he said.<\/p>\n

Plumtree said Savea would have more experienced support with the All Blacks, as opposed to that he had with the Hurricanes and, he was likely to find the Test job a little easier, notwithstanding the pressure involved.<\/p>\n

He said the selectors were not in a position where they could make wholesale changes in the absence of experienced players. They would have to make some changes at stages. With a smaller group for their extended tour, everyone would get a chance. And that was good for the players, he said.<\/p>\n

From his forwards coaching role, he felt the set-piece play was going well, and there had been some good individual efforts around the field, but there was always room for improvement, and the group enjoyed being challenged.<\/p>\n

“We’re not perfect by any means, and we know that playing away from Auckland is going to be way different, and we’re expecting a tough battle up front [against Australia]. We couldn’t score a driving lineout try against them last time, and neither could they against us, so there is a real battle going on out there.<\/p>\n

“The forwards are having a good crack at each other up front, sometimes we win a battle and sometimes they do so we’re expecting pretty much the same thing on Sunday,” he said.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Maintaining a steady hand at the helm will be the task of All Blacks management as they negotiate their way through a testing Fortinet Rugby Championship that resumes against Australia in Perth on Sunday. Down on experience, confined in backup numbers should injuries strike, and facing opponents looking to probe for any vulnerabilities, the All…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":14525,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"Plumtree expecting physical challenge from Australia\r\nhttps:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-3Mg\r\n\r\nMaintaining a steady hand at the helm will be the task of All Blacks management as they negotiate their way through a testing Fortinet Rugby Championship that resumes against Australia in Perth on Sunday.","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-14524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugbyheartland-news"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/GettyImages-1327184833-v2__FocusFillWzExMDAsNDMwLCJ5IiwxNTZd.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-3Mg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":14522,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/09\/02\/all-blacks-vs-wallabies-john-plumtree-rules-out-wholesale-changes-for-perth\/","url_meta":{"origin":14524,"position":0},"title":"All Blacks vs Wallabies: John Plumtree rules out ‘wholesale’ changes for Perth","author":"admin_hland","date":"September 2, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree says the All Blacks will be looking for continuity heading into Bledisloe III. Once bitten, twice shy. All Blacks assistant coach John Plumtree has made it clear they won\u2019t be making wholesale changes for the Rugby Championship clash against the Wallabies in Perth on\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bledisloe2015.jpg?fit=960%2C585&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bledisloe2015.jpg?fit=960%2C585&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bledisloe2015.jpg?fit=960%2C585&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/bledisloe2015.jpg?fit=960%2C585&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12392,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2020\/09\/10\/three-all-blacks-named-in-lions-squad\/","url_meta":{"origin":14524,"position":1},"title":"Three All Blacks named in Lions squad","author":"admin_hland","date":"September 10, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Three All Blacks have been named in the Wellington Lions squad set to face Waikato at FMG Stadium on Saturday afternoon.Asafo Aumua, TJ Perenara and Ardie Savea are all included in the starting XV hoping to kick off this year\u2019s Mitre 10 Cup campaign with a win.The Lions have only\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "NPC - National Provincial Championship"","block_context":{"text":"NPC - National Provincial Championship","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/npc-national-provincial-championship\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/lions2020.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/lions2020.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/lions2020.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/lions2020.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/lions2020.jpg?fit=1200%2C750&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12669,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2020\/10\/09\/bledisloe-1-new-zealand-v-australia\/","url_meta":{"origin":14524,"position":2},"title":"Bledisloe #1 – New Zealand v Australia","author":"admin_hland","date":"October 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"All Blacks team for opening Bledisloe Cup match Three new All Blacks named in matchday 23 for Bledisloe Cup presented by Steinlager The All Blacks team has been named to play Australia in the opening Bledisloe Cup presented by Steinlager at Sky Stadium, Wellington, on Sunday 11 November (Kick-off: 4.00PM\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/30bledisloe.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/30bledisloe.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/30bledisloe.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/30bledisloe.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/30bledisloe.jpg?fit=1200%2C650&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":14249,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/07\/19\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-the-rugby-championship\/","url_meta":{"origin":14524,"position":3},"title":"All Blacks squad named for The Rugby Championship","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 19, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The All Blacks selectors, Head Coach Ian Foster, Assistant Head Coach John Plumtree and former All Black Grant Fox, have named their squad for the 2021 edition of the Rugby Championship. The 36-strong squad is as follows: (Age, Sky Super Rugby club, provincial union and Test caps in brackets.) Forwards\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/217563546_2024700001015063_2965700070931722913_n.jpg?fit=960%2C1200&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":11906,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2020\/06\/30\/north-vs-south-rugby-match-confirmed-for-eden-park\/","url_meta":{"origin":14524,"position":4},"title":"North vs South rugby match confirmed for Eden Park","author":"admin_hland","date":"June 30, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Rugby fans will once again get to witness a traditional rivalry rarely seen since the game turned professional more than 20 years ago. The classic North Island v South Island clash has been revived and is scheduled for Eden Park on August 29. According to the Breakdown on\u00a0Sky Sport, selection\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1593512283443.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1593512283443.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1593512283443.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1593512283443.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/1593512283443.jpg?fit=1200%2C675&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":12178,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2020\/08\/18\/squads-named-for-steinlager-north-v-south-match\/","url_meta":{"origin":14524,"position":5},"title":"Squads named for Steinlager North v South match","author":"admin_hland","date":"August 18, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Squads named for Steinlager North v South match The squads for the eagerly-awaited Steinlager North vs South match scheduled for Saturday 29 August have been named. The squads have been selected by the All Blacks selectors Ian Foster, Grant Fox and John Plumtree.\u00a0 The All Blacks Assistant Coaches will coach\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/nthvssth20202.jpg?fit=800%2C537&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/nthvssth20202.jpg?fit=800%2C537&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/nthvssth20202.jpg?fit=800%2C537&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/nthvssth20202.jpg?fit=800%2C537&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14524","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14524"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14524\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":14527,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14524\/revisions\/14527"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14525"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14524"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14524"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14524"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}