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Smith hails All Blacks` hard work

Friday 28th November 2008

Hard work: Smith insists the All Blacks have no aura about them

Wayne Smith insists New Zealand's success is built on hard work and not the presence of an All Black mystique.

Victory over a demoralised England at Twickenham on Saturday would complete the Tri-Nations champions' third clean sweep of the home unions.

New Zealand have hardly extended themselves in dispatching Scotland, Ireland and Wales and they are red-hot favourites to inflict further misery on Martin Johnson's side.

But assistant coach Smith, who has been linked with a move to Welsh region the Ospreys once the tour is over, insists the All Blacks have been challenged all the way.

"You earn your edge on what you do on the here and now. No one goes in with an inherent edge," he said.

"If you're playing well and have a good record then that can intimidate teams.

"Traditionally that's what the All Blacks have done. It's not because we're in black or have a fern on our chest. We've had to work hard.

"Guys back home have said 'that was easy', but nothing on this tour has come easily. We've had to fight for everything.

"A lot of teams want to make history by beating the All Blacks, so it isn't easy for us."

New Zealand's players and coaching team have been busy predicting an English backlash will ensure the grand slam is not conceded without a fight.

Conrad Smith, who has been recalled at outside centre after recovering from a groin injury, believes recent history explains their caution.

"The last time I heard that an England team were out of sorts they ended up going all the way to the World Cup final," he said.

"We have probably got them at a bad time and that is all we have talked about. We know what it is like ourselves when we come off a big loss.

"We got thrashed earlier in the year over in Australia and we came back, not clinically, but we were really ready to go a week later.

"And we then beat the Aussies pretty impressively so a week can be a long time in rugby.

"That is all we have talked about so far. We know we are going to be facing an England side who are fired up."