All Blacks have Georgia on their mind

Cardiff

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The All Blacks have gone back to school as they look to lift their game against the unknown threat of Georgia on Friday. 

The defending champions have not been overly thrilled with they way they performed in their opening games -- wins over Argentina and Namibia. 

Georgia, whom they’ve never played before, have a win over Tonga and a loss to Argentina so far and impressed in both matches with a powerful forward pack led by Toulon backrow warrior Mamuka “Gorgodzilla” Gordodze. 

All Blacks playmaker Dan Carter said their strategic committee system is in full swing, learning everything they can about the Georgians so they are ready for any eventuality. 

“It’s time we stepped up now. We’re in a position where we’re a third game into this tournament and it’s time we improved as a team and that’s including myself,” said Carter.

The reigning world champions are in the seemingly weakest pool of the competition and coach Steve Hansen has said they do not want to be underdone when it comes to the play-offs.

After giving all his players, except for the injured Waisake Naholo and Liam Messam, a run in the first two games, Hansen is said he will bed in his top side over their remaining pool games against Georgia and Tonga. 

They have set up player committees to pore over hours of video of Georgian matches so they can avoid any slip ups.

“We have a group that has a good look at the way they like to defend and opportunities where we can attack them, and we’ll have a defence group that look at the way the team that we’re coming up against like to attack,” Carter said. 

Flanker Sam Cane, who deputised for Richie McCaw as skipper in the Namibia match, said it was important for the All Blacks who like to play with speed and width that they did not let Georgia to slow the pace of the game down.