New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie says they’ve spoken about eliminating the breakdown menace of Wales flanker Jac Morgan within the Nations Championship match in Cardiff on Saturday.
The All Blacks are agency favourites to increase their 73-year successful run towards Wales this weekend.
However New Zealand have recognized Morgan’s contact space work as one among Wales’ important strengths.
"When [Wales] chop sort out, you've bought guys like Morgan who’re glorious on the ball," mentioned Rennie.
"So we're nicely conscious of that and we'll have a concentrate on eliminating him earlier than he could cause us stress, as a result of that could be a large a part of their recreation."
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Highlighting Wales' strengths
Rennie highlighted different points that concern him about Wales.
"Their line-out has been glorious over the last yr," he mentioned, though Steve Tandy's aspect noticed six of their throws go astray final weekend.
"Possibly it was not fairly as correct towards Japan however up till then, it's been top-notch," the veteran coach added.
"They're additionally ready to play and, in Tomos Williams, they’ve among the best nines on the earth.
"We've bought to ensure we don't let him have an excessive amount of area, as a result of he's bought such a high-quality kicking recreation and kicks off each toes.
"They've bought various gamers that if we give them time and area, they'll be a handful.
"They’ve an enormous midfield and absolute jets on the wing, so we all know a good bit in regards to the enemy."
Displaying respect and pals reunited
Rennie has made eight beginning adjustments from the aspect .
Sections of the New Zealand media say that choice displays the shortage of menace Wales pose, because the Tenth-ranked aspect on the earth face the second, however Rennie doesn’t subscribe to that view.
"Wales might be fairly fired as much as put in a high quality efficiency," he mentioned.
"So we've picked a robust aspect we expect will present the respect for them."
Rennie can be aware of most of the Wales teaching workers.
He was Glasgow coach between 2017 and 2020 when Wales duo Tandy and Danny Wilson have been a part of Gregor Townsend's Scotland backroom workers.
Wales defence coach Peter Murchie was additionally a part of Rennie's backroom group at Kobelco Kobe Steelers in Japan earlier than linking up with Tandy within the Welsh set-up.
"I do know them nicely and they’re superb, good coaches," mentioned Rennie.
"Pete did an outstanding job defensively with us at Kobe, and I can see the influence he's having already. And likewise with Steve.
"It's going to take time to show issues round, however I can undoubtedly see the influence they're having."
Principality Stadium recollections
Rennie has bittersweet recollections of teaching a world aspect towards Wales on the Principality Stadium, when he was main Australia in December 2022.
He masterminded a beautiful Wallabies comeback as Wales led 34-13 earlier than the vacationers scored 26 unanswered factors .
It proved to be Rennie's ultimate motion as Australia coach. He was changed by Eddie Jones, whereas the Wales boss that day, Wayne Pivac, was dismissed with Warren Gatland returning.
Rennie remembers the ambiance that day.
"It is among the nice grounds in world rugby, with the roof on, the nationwide anthems you've bought to soak it up and luxuriate in it," he mentioned.
"It may be fairly daunting, but it surely's particular.
"We'll undoubtedly embrace that and all of the boys are excited to be right here."
All Blacks look to proceed seven many years of dominance
New Zealand have received the previous 34 Checks towards Wales in a successful sequence that stretches again to 1953, with the All Blacks scoring greater than 50 factors on every of their three earlier visits to Cardiff over the previous 5 years.
New Zealand and South Africa are presently unbeaten within the southern hemisphere desk, competing for prime spot earlier than the Nations Championship play-off weekend on the finish of the month.
Rennie, nonetheless, says his aspect should not concentrating on making an attempt to shut the points-difference hole on the Springboks.
"It's only a Check match and our focus is that this week," he insisted.
"We'll in all probability be issues going into the final recreation, the place it is likely to be just a little bit clearer round what we have to do.
"I feel South Africa are about 70 factors clear, so if we find yourself on the identical quantity of factors, it's unlikely we'd catch them.
"There's an actual hazard to exit and assume you might want to rating X quantity of factors, you find yourself overplaying and getting embarrassed.
"We've bought a transparent plan round how we wish to play and no matter occurs, occurs."
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