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Papalii happy to be at sixes and sevens

Paul Cully Stuff

Mariners, after making a fasterthan-anticipated return from a knee injury.

The match brings the Phoenix back to Wollongong, where they were based last season and are set to play at least four home fixtures this season, as a result of the Covid-19 border restrictions in place in New Zealand.

Whether that number will grow is set to depend on whether the Government is willing to compromise on its plan to replace the managed isolation system with a seven-day home isolation period from midJanuary, and to only allow foreigners to enter under those conditions from the end of April, which makes week-in, week-out transTasman travel impossible.

The Phoenix – and those involved in Super Rugby Pacific – will be hoping a bespoke arrangement can be sorted, but the Government has treaded carefully so far with regard to Covid-19 and will be wary of giving sports teams special treatment.

Speaking about his team’s return to Wollongong, Talay made clear just how big an impact their long stays across the Tasman were having.

‘‘It’s our home away from home, but it’s not really home at all, to be honest. I want to get back as soon as we can.

‘‘We’ve been away for such a long time. I don’t think it’s good for our club, being away this long too, I don’t think it’s good for our players, I don’t think it’s good for our fans.

‘‘We just want a bit of normality, we want to be training out of Martin Luckie, and to sleep in our own beds, and to prepare for a home game, where the opposing team has to travel to New Zealand.

‘‘We want to just get home and play at home as soon as we can, but this group has adjusted to whatever has been thrown in front of them.’’

Standout All Blacks flanker Dalton Papalii couldn’t care less about the plaudits for his individual form this year – the pain from the team’s losses to Ireland and France is still too raw.

But as he sits in MIQ devouring the Netflix catalogue as he fills in the hours until he gets to go home and self isolate next Tuesday, the 24-year-old Blues star is still taking up the chance to reflect on a long year and look forward to 2022.

There is a lot to ponder, including a potential switch to No6 as hinted at by All Blacks coach Ian Foster, and how to respond to the physical challenge presented by the northern hemisphere sides.

Papalii tells he is open to that back row move, while he also has a message to Ireland: the All Blacks are hurting badly and are already looking forward to next year’s three-test series in July.

‘‘All the boys are focusing on their Super campaigns, but when that does come around I know all the boys will have a chip on their shoulder to really get amongst it,’’ he said. ‘‘That was a tough loss, because I thought we prepared well all week and trained the best we ever have.

‘‘I’m not going to overthink it right now and we all have Super campaigns, but when that time does come around we’ll be firing on all cylinders.’’

If the All Blacks are to put the Irish to the sword next year, they will have to find another gear in terms of their collective physicality.

That’s one reason why Papalii’s potential move to No6 is on the table. With Sam Cane likely to return to the captaincy and No 7 jersey next year, shifting Papalii to No 6 would mean the All Blacks start with arguably their two heaviest tacklers on the field, while also increasing their breakdown potency.

Some water has to flow under the bridge before that happens, but Papalii isn’t oblivious to Foster’s comments and is keeping an open mind.

‘‘That’s a big switch, and you have more of a role at lineout, and your movements off the ball are a bit different than seven,’’ Papalii said. ‘‘But I’ve played No7 and No6 for the majority of my career. I’ve probably played more No7 in my professional career but wherever they need to put me at I’ll play.

‘‘Just the chance to be out there in the black jersey . . . at the end of the day the goal’s the same.’’

No matter where he plays, Papalii isn’t likely to forget the lessons of the Dublin loss, in particular. He was captured in a postmatch photo looking to the heavens in despair, and even weeks later the nature of the loss – more so than the loss itself – clearly stings.

‘‘I just love being out there, getting into those battles and not shying away from those dark places,’’ Papalii said of his personal approach. ‘‘You could see against the Irish how physical they were. They were getting faster ball and dominant collisions because they were just more physical.

‘‘I feel like a big part of footy is that your team has got to be physical, and it’s got to go out there and keep doing it. I like to pride myself on physicality. I don’t know where it comes from, I just like being in those dark places.’’

But, as hard it might be, the returning All Blacks will have to put their test campaigns to the side and prepare for Super Rugby Pacific, or whatever competition the border restrictions allow for.

The Blues have assembled a strong and exciting squad, and will be clearly be one of the favourites, but Papalii also knows they have lost some leaders who will not be easy to replace.

‘‘I think we can build on what we did this year, but we got to stay grounded,’’ he said.That challenge will begin in February, and Papalii will be desperate to use the Blues’ Super Rugby Trans Tasman title as a stepping stone to knock the Crusaders off their lofty perch.

But, in the back of his mind, another thought already has taken up residence: Bring on those Irish again.

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2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

2021-11-27T08:00:00.0000000Z

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