-
Brendon Leonard - Source: Photosport -
Related
The All Blacks' "dirt trackers" are poised to be let loose on the Barbarians in their season finale at Twickenham on Sunday, with the team predicted to mirror the one that beat Italy in Milan.
Halfback Brendon Leonard thinks motivation will not be an
issue for him, despite the end of the season being a mere six days
away.
He says the lure of the black jersey remains just as strong,
irrespective of the time of year. Leonard is set to come up against
arguably the world's best number nine in South Africa's Fourie du
Preez, who is one of nine Springboks in the Barbarians 22 man
squad.
Prop Wyatt Crockett is eyeing some on-field redemption on Sunday after being at the centre of the scrum fiasco in Milan, which led Paddy O'Brien to slam the referee and the Italian front row.
"It was a huge learning experience and if selected I'm looking forward to getting out there, putting those things I've learnt into action and combating any of that sort of scrummaging"
Crockett says this weekend is a chance for the players chosen to do their talking on the field.
It has been a fairly slow start to the week with the team holding its Monday recovery session at Hyde Park, which is currently the site of a carnival-like "Winter Wonderland" including an ice skating rink. There has been no word at this stage on whether any of the All Blacks were game enough or permitted to slap on the skates.
Tony Woodcock's eye gouging allegations appear consigned to history with the 48 hour period for any citing now passed.
Possible All Blacks XV: Cory Jane, Zac
Guildford, Luke McAlister, Stephen Donald, Ben Smith, Mike Delany,
Brendon Leonard, Rodney So'oialo, Liam Messam, Tanerau Latime,
Anthony Boric, Jason Eaton, John Afoa, Corey Flynn, Wyatt
Crocket..
Possible Barbarians XV: Drew Mitchell, Bryan
Habana, Jaque Fourie, Jamie Roberts, Joe Rokocoko, Matt Giteau,
Fourie du Preez, Andy Powell, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Danie
Rossouw, Victor Matfield, WP Nel, Bismarck du Plessis, Tendai
Mtawarira.
Follow this story to ONE News at 6pm. Europe
correspondent Mark Crysell is in London with the All Blacks.
