Player Diary - Andy Ellis

Thursday 18th November 2010

Dear Diary

One of the best things about travelling as an All Black is that Pos (Errol Collins) sends the bulk of our luggage ahead of us the day before. So you load your bags on a truck and when you arrive in the new hotel you get your key from reception, walk into your hotel room and there they are sitting waiting for you. It's so cool.

I have been to Ireland once before. I got injured in the 2008 Scotland game, but we had already sent our bags over to Dublin on the truck the day before. So I literally had to fly over with the boys, walk into my room, get my bags and then go back to the airport to fly home to Christchurch. So it was nice to drive in here this time, to soak it up and enjoy it, see the golf course here at Castleknock and know I'm going to be able to get a hit on it.

We're staying at a beautiful country club hotel. It's got really nice facilities, a sauna, spa and swimming pool. As we arrived on a Sunday we were able to use all of it as part of our recovery and just chill out for an hour or two. Some of the boys were quite sore after the Scotland game.

Each Monday afternoon we have a recovery game of soccer and it's starting to get pretty serious now. We played on an astroturf ground surrounded by nets, so the ball was in play all the time. It was all on. I did hear a rumour that Braidy (Daniel Braid) was elbowing Brad (Thorn) in the nose - his already broken nose. So Braidy got flipped on his back and I understand there were no more elbows to the nose.

The weather held together through Tuesday's training. I know it sounds strange but it does play a part in being able to get through everything and plan well for the Irish game. We went through our back strikes and worked through quite a lot of defence. We also plugged the mistakes we made against Scotland to ensure they don't happen again. It was a good run out. As I'm the starting half back this week, it was great to have a run in that starting role and to go through everything so thoroughly.

We had dinner out as a squad, but as soon as we finished we all jumped in front of the big screen to watch the Munster game against Australia. The conditions were atrocious. The Munster team were pretty sharp. There were a few kiwi boys in the Munster team so we were cheering them on. It had nothing to do with the fact they were playing Aussie of course. The locals were wondering what was going on, listening to the All Blacks cheering for the Irish side. Obviously we were cheering for Sam (Tuitupou) and Dougie (Howlett).

Cheers,

Andy Ellis

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Player Diary - Hosea Gear

Saturday October 23rd 2010

Dear Diary

It's been a great season for me, first with the New Zealand Maori team, then winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal with the New Zealand Sevens team and now being
called up for the All Blacks.

There was a lot of pressure on us in Delhi because New Zealand has won the last three gold medals for the Rugby Sevens. We knew it was going to be really tough and
we understood that we were a totally different team to the ones of the past. We had faith in each other and we were always stressing we were doing all this hard work
for the gold medal.

We had a kiwi camp for all NZ athletes at the Delhi Games. It had three big pillars that are called pou in Maori, all covered with Maori designs and every kiwi medal
winner signed them. I met some of our cyclists and swimmers there. We were able to chat and celebrate together. It was pretty cool.

It was a shame we didn't get to see much of India. The training venue was a 50-minute bus drive so that was pretty much all we saw outside of the official
venues. I was really surprised at the poverty, a bit shocked really. There was a small family living next to the training ground and there were a couple of little
kids running round. Their playground was in the rubble. A few of the boys would grab a bag, put some food in it from the village and give it to the kids.

I wasn't really expecting to be named in the All Blacks having not made selection for the Investec Tri Nations squad. My main focus has just been all about trying to
play well and not worry about anything else. But to actually hear my name called out was pretty exciting. Mum & Dad popped the champagne bottle straight away. So we
had a little family celebration.

It was good to catch up with all the boys again when we came into camp on Thursday morning. It was nice to get so many congratulations from the guys for the gold medal
win too. It wasn't quite as intimidating coming into the environment this time.

I'm sharing a room with the skipper at the moment. I have roomed with Richie (McCaw)before so that made it a little bit easier. He's a pretty quiet guy and I like listening to my music on my headphones so it's a calm room. He has been going to bed late the last few nights. I guess he has so much extra stuff to do as the Captain.

I'm looking forward to getting a chance to play. It's been a while since I've been on the field in the black jersey. It will be great to get that opportunity again.
All the training that happens, all the things you have to overcome, it's all worthwhile once you get to play. I've played for the Maori at Twickenham and I've played Sevens there. My debut was in Hong Kong a couple of years ago. It's good to know the places that we'll be playing at. Twickenham is probably my favourite because of all the history there and the crowd can be so loud and the stadium is so big.

I want to thank all the fans and supporters that have been behind me.Their support has actually helped keep me going and believing in myself.It's something I've really been aware of. So thank you.

Cheers,

Hosea Gear

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Player Diary - Jerome Kaino

Sunday 1st August 2010

Dear Diary

We had an amazing game yesterday against the Aussies. What a great week. We got to Melbourne early so there was lots of time for us to prepare for the Bledisloe Cup Test. The boys were all quite fresh too because we had a week off rugby. It was my first time in Melbourne and I loved it. I have a lot of family over there, so it was good to be able to catch up with them. Kiwis are everywhere now.

Kick off was at 8 o'clock, so it was a really, really long day. I did my usual thing of watching TV and chilling out listening to my R&B and reggae sounds. I really like listening to Midnight Youth; they're popping out some good sounds at the moment.

About 20mins before warm up I looked around and the guys were focused. There was a cool feeling in the changing room. As I pulled on my boots I popped a bit of heat rub onto my legs. That's when I switched into game mode. The game was quick. One of the things I remember was being shocked at how fast we were scoring points.

Although I have to admit when Australia scored a try off the charge down, my mind briefly jumped back to the 2008 game when they walloped us in Sydney. But as Richie reminded us, we were being dominant, get the ball down their end and keep putting the pressure on them. When DC (Dan Carter) scored his charge down try, I knew we were back on track. I couldn't believe it when we scored again 5mins later.

We've also been working on our kick offs quite a lot recently. It's like the third set piece, after scrums and lineouts. It's somewhere we can target to get hold of the ball and to make sure it's hard for the opposition to settle into the game. Overall, I was really happy with the game, especially the back row unit of myself, Richie and Reado (Kieran Read). I feel we are really developing as a unit. We can all carry the ball or do the tight work, whatever is needed of us.

It was quite disappointing that Australia were able to score two tries with 14 men on the field. I think we were guilty of relaxing because we had a good lead and they had a man in the sin bin. It would be better if we were able to maintain our intensity. But we know what it's like to get walloped, so they'll be hurting and we expect them to come back hard. We have to be ready for that. I can't wait.

It's good to be back at home with a chance of lifting those trophies in NZ. Hopefully we'll see you there.

Cheers,

Jerome Kaino

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Player Diary - Jimmy Cowan

Thursday 25th November 2010

Dear Diary

We are pretty close to the finish line now. The tour is nearly over with just one big game to finish it all off. It’s been a great tour.

We have had our own rooms over a lot of the tour but I‘ve had two good roommates over the last two weeks. I’d have to pick Jerome Kaino as my top roomie. I’m not going to mention Stephen’s (Donald) habits. Hygiene for one, not to mention his untidiness.

My top meal of the tour was in Hong Kong. It was a buffett breakfast and you could have a big bowl of soup with dumplings, meat and veggies. We all had a great feast the first day and after that we eased up on it. It was yum, the best feed of the tour.

All the hotels have been good, but I really enjoyed staying at the Royal Garden in Kensington. It’s central to everything, only a 5 minute cab ride to the city. There’s also a casino right next door so that makes for a bit of fun.

I really enjoyed Scotland just because I’ve got a bit of heritage there. The lead up to the match was pretty amazing. We got piped in by the bagpipes, I love the bagpipes, as we ran out it dropped to a lone piper and all the lights were turned off. As we lined each team was spotlighted as the fireworks were going off. That was a pretty special moment.

So now I’m just looking forward to the final match against Wales on Saturday. Fingers crossed it’ll be a great one and we’ll come home with that grand slam.

Cheers,

Jimmy Cowan

More Stories: | All Blacks | ITM Cup | Super Rugby | Heartland

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Player Diary - Liam Messam

Friday 9th July 2010

Dear Diary

It's been an interesting few weeks. It all started when I got a phone call from Ted (Graham Henry), to let me know that I hadn't made the All Blacks Squad for the Steinlager Series. So I was pretty gutted. But then he told me that I was captain of New Zealand Maori for the Sealord New Zealand Maori Centenary Series. So my disappointment was pretty short-lived once I realised I would be involved with the 100 year celebration of Maori rugby.

Although I have been captain before there was a bit more responsibility and expectation this year. I think that started because of the pressure we put on ourselves as players. We set ourselves the goal of winning all three matches in the series even though we were up against top-quality opposition.

The first game against the NZ Barbarians was good because both teams threw the ball around and we were able to play open rugby. That's the way I like to play.

The Irish game was cool because it was played in my home town of Rotorua. All my friends and family came to watch the match. The game against England had a really good crowd; actually all of them were really well supported. It was awesome that we won the whole series. It makes you proud.

So after the Centenary Series was over, I was preparing my stuff to get ready to go to the Commonwealth Games for the Sevens. Suddenly I started getting texts from my friends and family to tell me that I made the All Black squad for the Investec Tri Nations Series. I was really surprised to make the cut, because I thought the boys had played well in the last three test matches.

So it's been a real roller coaster ride. Now I've been named on the bench for the test against South Africa on Saturday at Eden Park. I think I'm pretty fortunate, because of Victor's (Vito) calf injury I have been given an opportunity. I just have to get out there and grab it now.

Cheers,

Liam Messam

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Player Diary - Hika Elliot

Friday October 29th 2010

Dear Diary

Yesterday was a good long day. My wakeup call came through at 7.05am. I didn't want to be late for the scrum unit meeting at 7.30am. There has been a lot of content to
absorb this last week or so, especially as it's been the first week of the tour.

It's a definite step up from Super 14 rugby planning. It is a lot for me to take in as one of the new guys. The meeting went well, it really helped me understand what I
have to do and the detail of my role.

It's good to work with guys like Kev (Mealamu ) and Brad Thorn, they have been there and done it so many times and they are so willing to help us new boys. I play the same position as Kev but I am still able to lean on him and tap into his experience quite a lot. It's great. It makes for a real special environment.

This time around was a big bonus because I got to hear my name read out during the official All Blacks announcement of the squad for the Telecom BackingBlack tour of
Hong Kong, UK and Ireland. The first time I got called into the squad in the middle of a tour because of an injury. On the day of the announcement, we (Hawke's Bay) had just beaten North Harbour in the ITM Cup at McLean Park in Napier. I was talking to my coach, Tom Coventry, when we heard my name called out. It was an awesome
feeling.

We had two training sessions yesterday, one indoors and one outdoors in the lovely warm Hong Kong sunshine. The indoor session was a light mindset one of how we want
to approach this game against Australia. We worked on what part of the field we are going to do which moves and what each of our roles are in those situations.

I had a light lunch before the big session in the afternoon. I am not a big eater. I used to tip the scales at 130kg. Now I am around 108kg. So I have to watch my weight and keep my skinfold measurements inside my target. At my lightest I was 98kg, but I found it quite hard to stay injury free. I kept getting lots of little niggly injuries. So I had to chuck on a bit of beef. It was such a weird time for me. I have been overweight most of my life and trying to lose the fat.

The rest of the day was training and recovery at the pool and a couple of one on one meetings. That all went pretty well. The pool is at the Hong Kong Football Club, which is a real flash facility, especially for a little Maori boy from New Zealand like myself!

Alby Mathewson had to shout dinner for me and CJ (Cory Jane) because he lost our cards game of gin rummy. The highest score at the end of the game had to buy dinner
for the other two and I was real hungry last night. Yum.

Cheers,

Hika Elliot

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Player Diary - Owen Franks

Thursday 11th November 2010

Dear Diary

I realised I was going to be a prop when I was younger because I was a bit more chubby than the other kids, not as fast and I had a lot of aggression. I didn’t mind doing the dirty work as such. I just enjoyed scrums, contact and tackling, but I wasn’t as good at the flashy stuff.

My brother, Ben, and I were never that big when we were young. We were obviously late developers. Dad got us both into strength training as 13 year olds. It wasn’t heavy stuff then, just good solid basics and technique stuff. At the end of every rugby season Dad would always have a new training programme for us to try. He always told us it was going to be the best one yet. It was awesome, I loved it.

From an early age I always knew I was going to have to work harder than anyone else. I knew it would serve me well in the end. I didn’t get selected for the good teams early on. But I never had any doubt that I would be an All Black because Dad told me I would make it. We did get teased a bit because if anyone asked me I didn’t hesitate to tell them I was going to be an All Black. It didn’t matter that I was a little chubby kid; I just had to train heaps.

During my second year of 1st XV rugby, I was in seventh form, and I got picked for the South Island team in a tournament. I made the NZ schoolboys rugby team from there. I didn’t get much game time because I was battling above my weight. But I realised then that I was going to get bigger with all the training I had planned and I would be able to pass the other guys and make it. I guess that’s what has happened.

I really do enjoy being part of getting good scrum ball to the backs to use. It’s something not a lot of people understand, even though people respect a good scrum. It’s probably my favourite thing to do in the All Blacks jersey.

Cheers,

Owen Franks

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Player Diary - Tom Donnelly

Saturday 10th July 2010

Dear Diary

Even though I woke up at 7.30am, I didn't get out of bed until  8.30am. After I had a wash I wandered down to breakfast. Normally I just have a bowl of cereal, but our nutritionist has changed my diet. So it's big breakfasts from now on because I have to bulk up a little bit.

I find it tough to fill in the long day before the match. So I end up doing lots of bits and pieces. Anthony Boric has just taught me how to do the Rubiks Cube. First I get the white face completed and then I have a set of steps to complete the whole cube. I'm not that quick but I can do it. So I had a good play on that before settling down to read my hunting magazine.

Later I met my cousin and we were able to have a good catch up over a coffee. I knew I had to get a bit more fuel in, so I headed back to the hotel and got some more food. But then I was bored so I actually went for a walk around the streets of Auckland. It was a lovely, sunny day and I ended up in a park, sitting down and gathering my thoughts together for the job ahead.

After lunch I sat in the team room and watched some hunting video clips on youtube. Eventually the team walk-through arrived. It was good to be able to walk and talk through our lineout and scrum moves and then go through a few set pieces at good pace. I had my pre-match meal of chicken, mash potatoes, eggs and some pasta bake. I'm supposed to eat small portions, heaps of times throughout the day. It's a bit of a struggle because I never feel that hungry on match day.

I packed my bag for the night and that took about an hour. While everything is in my bag, it's not particularly tidy. Sometimes I have to have a rummage through to check that I have everything. Since I was ready early, I watched 'Gone Fishing' and then the 'ITM Fishing Show'.

Finally we jumped on the bus and headed off to Eden Park. After I hung up my jersey and got all my stuff ready to go, I grabbed a programme and walked out onto the field. I soaked up the atmosphere, checked out the field and ate my can of creamed rice. I always put my boots on last and that's when I feel it's time to go, it's when I really focus hard on what my first job of the match will be. By then we usually know if we will be kicking or receiving the ball from the South Africans.

I remember the crowd being really awesome, much louder than usual. I can only imagine what it's going to sound like when it's full. I'm sure it will almost be as good as the new Dunedin stadium with the roof on. It was slightly odd that I could hear our conditioning coach Gilly (Nic Gill) shouting and cheering us on. It must have been because he was standing on the side of the field where there was no crowd. Normally I can't hear a thing off the field.

Our whole forward pack did their job really well; it just felt awesome to dominate. The big key is if we can do it again this week, we'll take a lot more satisfaction out of it. To do it once is good, but to back it up would be awesome.

Cheers,

Tom Donnelly

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Player Diary - Tony Woodcock

Friday 5th November 2010

Dear Diary

I have always loved being a loose head prop even though when I first started playing I was put at lock or number 8. I have to admit it wasn’t too long before I was put in the front row. I enjoyed it straight away and have pretty much stayed there ever since.

In the game of rugby, there’s not too many positions where you get to take on your opponent so directly. I just get enjoyment out of my role in a team too, all the little things I do add to the greater good of the team. I know prop is an important role in the game.

I am in London with the All Blacks at the moment. We are preparing to face England on the weekend. It’s always a pretty tough test, you know they are going to come at you physically, they’ll be direct. It’s always good fun playing against the English. They pride themselves on trying to physically dominate you.

I have been fortunate enough to play 70 tests for the All Blacks. My favourite team to play against is probably the French, especially if we manage to dominate them. It’s always quite an enjoyable task taking on any pack that rate themselves. We back ourselves as well, so it usually makes for a good clash. The more physical the better.

Even playing against mates is good fun though. There’s usually a little bit of banter before we get down to the business of scrummaging, maybe something a bit personal to spark it up. But you know it’s not really personal, it’s just a wee bit of fun.

My body type doesn’t allow for it, but if I had to wear another number on my back it would be a loose forward position, probably number six. They seem to get a lot of freedom on the park which I obviously don’t get to do. In saying that though I thoroughly enjoy my role in the team and what I get to do at loosehead prop.

Cheers,

Tony Woodcock

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Player Diary - Dan Carter

Thursday 17th July 2010

Dear Diary

We had a photo shoot on the schedule today. We were allocated a 5min time slot where we were photographed from every angle. Jimmy (Cowan) was one of the first on the list, so he had to do his early in the morning. I was still in bed when he came back to the room. As he walked in I could see he was gutted. When I asked him what was wrong he said he had been caught off guard. When I said, “How come?” he told me, “Man we had to take our shirts off!” I think he would have cracked out a few press ups and sit ups beforehand if he had realised. He stood in front of the mirror and said to me, “I’m not that bad, am I?” It was a funny way to start the day.

The coaches delayed naming the team this week because there were a few injuries. The 15 starting players have to do a media session on Thursday mornings, but because of the delay we had to wait to find out the team too. I got a text about 7.30am to tell me I was in the starting XV to face South Africa and that I was required for the media session at 8.30am. It was unusual because we normally get that information in the meeting on Tuesday.

The media session wasn’t too busy for me actually. It was fantastic because they can be pretty full on sessions. I only had one request because Rene Ranger has got his first start and Piri (Weepu) is starting too. Tom Donnelly got quite a few requests because lineouts are always a big part of the game when we play the Springboks. So the focus was really shared around, which is good. I try to go into the media sessions with a few key messages to get across to the fans who are reading or watching, stuff I’d like them to know.

We had a busy training day, with two team sessions and a gym session. The first team session Ted (Graham Henry) likes to call the ‘cerebral session’. We went through our game strategy and key points. It’s all about the details. After that session all the guys had real clarity. Then in the afternoon we went really physical and put the whole plan together at full speed. In between team runs, most of the guys did a short, sharp power session at the gym, but I’m getting a bit old now so I had to do a rehab and stretch session.

Playing the same team two weeks in a row is unusual. I think it makes for a tougher challenge, especially when we had such a good win last week. I know what we’re like after a loss. You get really motivated to turn things around and I know that’s what the South Africans will be feeling. It means we have to perform better the second time around. We played pretty well at Eden Park, but we’ve got a real job ahead of us to be able to do the same again.

Cheers,

Dan Carter

More Stories: | All Blacks | ITM Cup | Super Rugby | Heartland

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