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'I'm going to get right amongst it': Jason Ryan reveals robust plan for 2023
By Ned Lester
New All Blacks forwards coach Jason Ryan has been praised for his significant role in turning the All Blacks’ 2022 season around, and as he prepares for a World Cup year, the former front-rower will be taking to the frosty fields of Christchurch to “stay sharp” on his feel for the game in real-time.
Ryan has planned out his 2023 to ensure he excels in all facets of his role with the All Blacks, planning for the World Cup, spending time with each of the Kiwi Super Rugby clubs and offering his talents to local clubs and schools.
Often heard reciting the quote “players don’t really care how much you know until they know how much you care”, Ryan's plan for 2023 proves he is putting his money where his mouth is by spending time in a number of different environments and maximising his relationships with the rugby community throughout the country.
“I’m going to get right amongst it,” Ryan told Stuff. “Get the whistle on and have a few trainings at night, in the wet and in the cold. You can’t forget your roots as a coach. That’s where I started, so that’s where I will be putting some work in.
“I know I’ve got to stay sharp. Because if I’ve had all this time off and away from the game, it’s not going to bring me in sharp, and I need to be at my absolute best next year.”
Having spent the past seven seasons as an assistant coach at the Crusaders, the international season poses a different scheduling challenge for Ryan. He looks to make the most of his extra time throughout the early months of the year, working with his Super Rugby counterparts to ensure there is alignment throughout the spine of New Zealand rugby, and he made sure to mention there will be no special treatment for his former Canterbury club.
“I think it’s important I speak to all the clubs, there’s not one that’s got to stand out more than the other. I've got to be neutral in my thoughts, I've got to be really clear on what we need as an All Black forward pack, and a part of that is talking to all the Super Rugby clubs.”
Speaking on his sudden promotion to the national side, Ryan said it was important to keep his goals and mentality simple and stay true to himself as a person and a coach.
“I was just like, ‘I’ve got to go in and support the coaching and management team, be honest with the players and do my job’. That’s what I wrote down – ‘do your own job’ – I couldn’t afford to be looking at noises or anything like that...I just had to get stuck in.
“I pride myself on being really honest with the players and the management group. I am who I am, I'm not trying to be anyone else. Skill set wise, I know what works and what I believe in, and I drive that. The players appreciate being honest and not sugar-coating anything. They thrive on the detail, and we made some progress.
“But you can’t stand still. You can never be satisfied when you are in the All Blacks. It never finishes."
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Latest Comments
SCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
Go to commentsIreland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
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