All Blacks have priorites in order
a fifth consecutive World Rugby Classic title.
Perhaps it will have more to do with their race to the bar after a fourth beverage at some of the more spririted events surrounding the tournament, which officially begins tomorrow (2 p.m.) at National Sports Club.
The All Blacks flew into Bermuda yesterday morning following an energy-sapping 36-hour flight from Auckland, and immediately converged at the Devonshire pitch.
The defending champions will play in the second of two games on tap tomorrow, a 3.30 p.m. showdown with the United States. England will face the Classic Barbarians in the opener.
Seized by a sneaky kind of joy after more than a day in an airplane, the All Blacks waded around a small cooler of melting ice and beer anxious to find out about their Bermuda plans.
And All Blacks captain Andy Haden -- a veteran of five Classics -- was being especially accommodating to New Zealand's opponents for the eight-day tournament.
"I don't think you'll ever see an All Blacks side lie down, it wouldn't be our style,'' said Haden, as a crowd of Kiwi voices throbbed in the soup of warm air. "But if we come out on top, so be it. It's not the most important thing for us.
"I think what it should be is to play with style. And if we have style and flair, and demonstrate it, and manage to score more points than the opposition then we've had a great time. But if we play with style and flair and haven't won, then we've still covered most of the things we're looking for. "Let's put it this way, you won't find us training. And you won't find us other than last one out at the parties.'' Easily the most recognisable of the All Blacks suiting up this week -- partly due to an imposing six-foot-six, 270-pound frame -- Haden has been involved in all but one of the Classics. In numerous games he has provided Bermuda fans an exuberant spray of fanciful and generous images, which defined him as one of New Zealand's best players.
Now 42, Haden played in more than 100 matches for the All Blacks, including 41 Tests, but these days he would rather boast of his liberation from the cruel competitiveness of world-class rugby than his accomplishments during a career, which spanned 15 years.
"With All Black rugby if you're not one of the top two or three teams it's a national calamity,'' he said, trying to put proper words into their proper places. "The World Cup in 1991 was a disaster for us. I think most countries would have been delighted to get into the semifinals, but that's just the attitude there.'' Clearly, that type of attitude will be outlawed this week, with the focus on togetherness. It is what continues to bring Kiwi players like John Spiers, Dave Loveridge, John Ashworth and Brad Johnstone back to Bermuda each year. If there is to be any dizziness to the point of clairvoyance or conquering any clumsiness of foot, it will not be due to vicious hits and tackles.
These New Zealand players are a throwback to a different era when social aspects of the game ruled.
"In fact I think I saw the transition,'' said Haden. "In the early '70s the game was a lot less intense. I don't mean that it wasn't played just as hard or just as competitive, I mean that it wasn't as dominating over life. It's a sad loss.'' Still the rugby pitch remains a place of enlightenment for Haden, a spot where he receives the blessing of his middle years. It is the place where he once strung tightropes across his dreams and worked them without a net.
"I guess I first realised I was truly a rugby player when I began to focus on little else, that all-consuming every waking minute that's devoted to preparing or playing or getting over the game.'' Currently operating his own agency for sports and entertainment stars in Auckland, his office walls are cluttered with photos from Eden Park, holy territory for New Zealanders.
"We've had some epic battles with the Springboks, and matches at other grounds of great tradition...like Twickenham and Cardiff Arms Park.
"You'll find that we performed very well there and that's where a lot of the All Blacks reputation has been carved.'' Haden and his All Blacks team-mates will be intent on carving reputations of their own this week, on the field and, er, off.
ANDY HADEN -- "...you won't find us other than last one out at the parties.''