Jason Ryan: All Blacks forwards coach ahead of the second Argentina clash

The All Blacks opened their Rugby Championship campaign with a dominant win, but they’ll be aiming to keep the ball rolling as the Springboks clash looms. 

With the rematch against Argentina set for tomorrow, All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan joined D’Arcy Waldegrave to discuss the key messages going into the second test, the selections, and the need for consistency. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:06):
You're listening to the All Sport Breakfast podcast with Darcy
Waldgrave from News talks'b.

Speaker 2 (00:12):
Have we got all Darcy? How are you there?

Speaker 1 (00:15):
He is?

Speaker 3 (00:15):
There's a bit of a delay on there, mate, No,
I'm good. I'll try not to talk over the top
of you. So you've got twenty four hours before things
get underway. What have your final tweaks been to this side.
What has been your primary focus head of the second
Test match?

Speaker 2 (00:33):
Yeah? I think the one we focus for us is
just probably just getting our skill sets and some of
our decision making a little bit more dil than from
the first tests, which we were reviewed extremely hard, and
then you probably getting a little bit of rhythm and
a bit of timing. Would just let can Giving a
shorter week last week, it's given us a chance to,

(00:54):
I guess, put a little bit more polish on a
few things that we need to do.

Speaker 3 (00:58):
You understand where you're going plenty. You've worked with Scott
robertson before. We know what he's trying to achieve, the
players know what he's trying to achieve, and the consistency
of selection is a key part of that. I think
the good thing behind that though mister Ryan, is that
also in the space of this year you've managed to
debut a number of players, so you're still working on

(01:19):
that debt, but you see keeping some kind of consistency
that's a lovely balance.

Speaker 2 (01:28):
Yeah, you're right, it's you know, it's it's the art
of when you select an all black team and a
whole squad and then and then when you select at
twenty three to win a Test match on Saturday. So
I think that how the boys have trained have been

(01:49):
you know, some really good intensity and competing for spots
and it's getting pretty tasty in our selection thoughts of
what combination we go, but we we believe we've selected
a group that's going to give us a little bit
of cohesion. The Rugby Championship, you know, two weeks on,
one week off, two weeks on, one week off and
so forth, doesn't give you too much of a chance

(02:13):
to breathe. And the fact that I, let's just try
this whole different combination. It's more like, okay, let's just
bring this Claire into this mix. Who would believe you know,
Eximon Parker is a good example that you know, like
he's been in a conversation sometimes I fear and it's
a good chance for us to have a look at
him because we believe he's ready.

Speaker 3 (02:31):
Talk to us about that discussion around the makeup of
the loose forward trio. That's always great debate around who
plays when and where. So tell us how you came
to the conclusion that you were going to start Simon
and you were going to move Ardie around, although I
know with two pos you were always going to keep
him there because he's been one of the fines in
the blindside Possei.

Speaker 2 (02:56):
Yeah, so you look at our great question by the way,
I think it's a combination of your line out execution,
which we know Tuo Po's exceptional. I think you know,
we know and we saw all year as everyone else did,
our exceptional art severe at open side. He's played a
lot of test food. He had eight as well. But

(03:18):
we just believe with Wallace coming back, it'll be a chance
to sort of bring him on from a reasonable injury
out was Simon's. He's had a game of n PC.
He's you know, he's played good minutes at Leosward for
the Chiefs. Whether or not that's been mainly at six.
It's you know, whether or not that's that position doesn't

(03:40):
change too much. If it's scrum, you know, we might
we might putty at eight on our balls. We sort
of did a little bit last week. So it's what
we're excited about. Well, anything with our loose forwards, Darcy,
we believe they've all got the ability to give us
power and acceleration and where the game is hitting and

(04:00):
where it is at the moment. We believe that's quite
important for us.

Speaker 3 (04:04):
Was there a temptation to run to like to you
William straight away as opposed to pull him in off
the bench and the same with Wallace, So they've talked
about that loose forward makes that's a difficult one. But
right up front, Tomighty is going to be He's going
to be a beef when you finally let him get
on the bark, isn't he He's super key? But was
there a chanted start?

Speaker 2 (04:27):
Yeah? I think you know, every player is in the conversation.
But you know, I think Ethan's done his job. He's
played well, you know, he's been he's been accurate and
he was he was really consistent for us in the
French series. So you know, it's it's all part of
the healthy conversations we're having. It's you know, it's to

(04:47):
mighty Is. He's trained extremely well over here, his body's right,
and it gives us a pretty quick front road to
bring on as well, which is exciting.

Speaker 3 (05:00):
We're away from your area of expertise. I'm sure you're
not just fully focused on the forwards, thot Jason Ryan.
You look to the back line. Love the fact that
Billy Proctor has been given more opportunities to execute, and
me carry on with that same theme combinations and continuity.
This was I think it's key for the back line
to give this guy a chance to prove himself over

(05:21):
many tests, not just give him one opportunity.

Speaker 2 (05:27):
Yep, yep. Again, I think you're on the button there
with your your thoughts, and that's how we're thinking as well.
That we know that you know Billy is, you know,
he's got all the attributes to be a good test player,
and you know he knows himself. He's just probably feeling
his way a little bit. And I've got no doubt
that that other tests that he had under his belt,

(05:48):
and you know, he had a little bit of Nicolaie
Achilles that we're trying to get right as well. Which
has just been you know, through Super rugby as well,
where he's had a little bit of injury, a little
bit of rhythm and helped be better for last week
as we all will be. But it gives him a
little bit of confidence, you know to get the ball
in his hands and shifted out wide and have another

(06:11):
taste of it.

Speaker 3 (06:11):
Yeah, wonderful. Thank you so much for making yourself available,
Jason Ryan. In regards to all of the team that go, well,
be fast, be accurate, you know what, the Dmal drillers,
thanks very much mate, go.

Speaker 2 (06:23):
Well yeah, no, thanks very much, and you're really looking
forward to it, really looking forward to celebrating Cody's unders
feast as well.

Speaker 3 (06:32):
So I'm glad you got that. And right at the end,
good on you, that is, Jason Ryan.

Speaker 1 (06:38):
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