AUCKLAND – Young Football Ferns head coach Paul Temple says a cross-code chat with All Blacks coach Graham Henry has given his staff plenty of confidence in their World Cup build-up.
Ahead of next Tuesday’s FIFA U-17 World Cup opener against Canada, the Young Football Ferns are staying at Takapuna’s Spencer on Byron hotel where Henry’s All Blacks had also been based while preparing for Wednesday’s trial against the NZ Barbarians in Waitakere.
Temple and Henry met over coffee to “chew the fat” for about 45 minutes on the eve of the Barbarians match and Temple was pleased to hear the similarities between each team’s approach to big games.
“Graham was very accommodating, and willing to take time to share his thoughts with me which was really good of him,” Temple said.
“We just shared a little bit about the culture, how the leadership structure works within the team, and how to try and get the best out of players dealing with pressure.
“The one real positive for me was how in many ways the two environments are very alike.
“It was nice to get feedback that the culture. The way they do things with their leadership group is very similar to how we’re trying to do doing things, so it’s nice to know we’re on the right path and he just really reinforced a lot of the key messages that we’re trying to put across to our team.”
Temple admitted having the All Blacks at the same hotel had been distracting for his teenaged players at first, but says the All Blacks’ curiosity about a FIFA World Cup and the his team’s preparations had helped diffuse any star-fuelled awe.
“The sheer aura of the All Blacks is huge and they’re huge in stature as well so just being around them is awe-inspiring.”
“But when the two teams are in common areas of the hotel the All Blacks have been really good with the girls, asking questions and taking a genuine interest in the tournament.
“There’s camaraderie between two New Zealand teams preparing for events, and in terms of preparing for a tournament they know what we’re going throw and have been really supportive.”
New Zealand open the inaugural FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup against Canada at North Harbour Stadium on Tuesday at 7pm.
Story Courtesy of NZF Media.
For more information visit www.nzsoccer.com