Luke Jacobson: All Blacks loose forward ahead of the Nations Championship clash against Italy

The All Blacks continue to fend off the 'easy beat' tag around Italy as they begin final preparations for Saturday's Nations Championship test in Wellington. 

Loose forward Luke Jacobson told Mike Hosking the Italians are the most improved international side over the past couple of years. 

He says they’ve tipped up Scotland and England in the Six Nations, and they’re a hugely passionate team who will be keen to try and tip the Kiwi side at home. 

The All Blacks will name their team upon arrival in the capital this afternoon. 

Coach Dave Rennie has confirmed Ardie Savea will play, despite speculation he could be rested following a high workload over the past 18 months. 

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
France. Excellent opener with the open, free flowing, dramatic football
party this weekend with Italy. We expect changes to the team.
I think that's today. They announced that this afternoon, don't
they good news on demand? By the way, every game
is sold out, so we like that. Luke Jacobson or
Black Loose Forward is with us this Thursday morning.

Speaker 2 (00:15):
Luke morning, Yeah, good morning, thanks having me, not at all.

Speaker 1 (00:18):
They tell me you're up? And about what time did
you all blacks get up? I mean, is it an alarm?
Does someone go down the corridor and bang on doors?
What's happening there?

Speaker 2 (00:27):
We're all a little bit different. But I was up
a thirty minutes ago, just enough time to make a
smooth here in my morning coffee. But yeah, everybody's a little.

Speaker 1 (00:36):
Bit different, right would you Were you up because of
this or were you you going to be up anyway?

Speaker 2 (00:41):
Now? You usually hop up at about that time. I
just hoped about ten minutes early.

Speaker 1 (00:45):
Wasn't too bad, mate, good one, And how was France?
Did you get a good vibe out of that? Last week?

Speaker 2 (00:50):
The earth is an awesome start to the year. I mean,
obviously there's plenty of work ons, but overall really happy.
Come on, all of the one frants A good team,
and I mean they really tested us, so no, really
good test.

Speaker 1 (01:08):
I happened to be at the airport last Sunday when
you guys right back from christ Church and I had
a word with a few of you. There's the vibe
was Reny's a bit more relaxed about life? Is that
your sense of it?

Speaker 2 (01:21):
Yeah? I mean Renny is a pretty charm operator. I
think he's done really well to bring everybody in and
just being himself and be very authentic. So I've been
really enjoyed it.

Speaker 1 (01:33):
Does that help given you already knew him from you know,
another life and all that sort of stuff in your region.

Speaker 2 (01:39):
Yeah, I think I've owned did a little bit of
time for my I've got to know him a lot
better now. But I guess it does help having that
previous connection. But yeah, I have enjoyed working often.

Speaker 1 (01:52):
Was I right with the Are they announcing it this afternoon?
Excuse my ignorance, The team announced saffnoons that it did
is this afternoon?

Speaker 2 (01:59):
I believe? Sorry? Yeah? Right?

Speaker 1 (02:00):
And do you know what's happening visa your personal situation?
Not that you need to tell us, But I mean,
are you aware of what's happening or is that a
big surprise as well?

Speaker 2 (02:09):
Our team gets named internally yeah before today?

Speaker 1 (02:13):
Okay, So that information sits heavily with you this morning, Luke,
and you'd love to share it with us, but you can't.
Is that what you're telling me?

Speaker 2 (02:20):
Correct? Yeah? Very good? Have you?

Speaker 1 (02:22):
How do you think about the game? So French, the France, France,
Italy and Ireland Italy easy beats or we're not. We're
not taking it that way with Ireland to come the
real story next week.

Speaker 2 (02:33):
No, its easy beats at all. I think the most
improved team internationally over the last couple of years. They've
tipped up Scotland and England and the sixth Nations and
the hugely passionate team that you know they can be
keen as to try and tap us up at home.
So yeah, we're definitely going to have to turn out.

Speaker 1 (02:54):
Yeah, sell out. Sellout's got to help. Knowing you go
in each weekend full house. That's got to feel good,
doesn't it.

Speaker 2 (03:00):
It's awesome been the play in front of a packed
out New Zealand crowd. Yeah, we definitely feed from it.

Speaker 1 (03:06):
What about the forecast. Have you checked the weather? Given
you don't have a root, doesn't matter.

Speaker 2 (03:12):
It changes quite a bit down there, doesn't it. But
I think it's meant to be. At the moment, it's
meant to be pretty good, but that could change very quickly.

Speaker 1 (03:19):
All right, well, we wish you the best, mate, appreciate
your time very much. Luke Jacobson, who's the all black
loose forward out of the Waycatta region. If you don't
follow those sort of things. For more from the Mike
Asking Breakfast, listen live to news talks. It'd be from
six am weekdays, or follow the podcast on iHeartRadio.