Robertson impressed by performance of debutants in San Diego

Debutants

The game completed the three-game build-up to the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship, which starts next month. It saw 32 players, including seven debutants, exposed to the new coaching regime.

Robertson said that, given all that had to be learned and the travel to San Diego, he was pleased with the speed of learning.

Into the second phase of the season, Robertson will look to improved accuracy to complete chances created, the one area he was concerned with from the opening three games.

And of the new players introduced in San Diego, he said, "We scored some great tries. We left a lot out there, and I'm proud of the effort and the six debutants who stood up.

"They showed why we picked them."

Captain Scott Barrett said he was happy with how the All Blacks played and how the new players took their chances.

"All six of them, from Billy starting and the result running on, had an impact on the game. Big Pasilio [Tosi] getting his shoulder to the line, Sam Darry had a nice turnover, and [George] Bell getting the dot [try] after a couple of nice touches, it was nice to see.

"We talked about grinding them down but doing that smartly. We held the ball quite nicely and moved it away from a few defenders who were looking forward to coming off the line to put a shot on. 

"We shifted the ball the spaces quite well and created a few opportunities by doing that.

"Fiji challenged us in the physical areas. They showed that when they get their shoulders to the line and give the ball a bit of air, they're dangerous and split us a couple of times.


"We were pleased with keeping them to five points with the flair they have. That's a great effort, I'm proud of that."

Lock Sam Darry said not being named in the squad, he thought he would come in as injury cover and didn't know how long he would be involved.

But fortune went his way, and he was grateful to have gotten a game.

"It all happens so quickly, and all of a sudden it is over. But it was awesome.

"Taking the field with such high-quality players, growing up and watching a lot of those boys on TV and to them come in and train with them, and then be given the opportunity to take the field, it is just such an awesome feeling to come and join the All Blacks club.

"As Billy said, it's every Kiwi kid's dream, we've all been wanting for a long time."

Caleb Clarke said he was delighted for the boys who debuted and grateful for his chance to wear the black 11 jersey again.

"San Diego is fun. The crowd was electric. There was a point when I was screaming at Billy and Wallace [Sititi] and they couldn't hear me. I was about 10 metres away from them."

Clarke said he enjoyed working with coach Scott Robertson, but it wasn't only him; it was the relationship Robertson had with all the coaches.

"Everyone's had their specific role and it's a well-oiled machine. He gets around everyone and makes sure that he knows how you're going."

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