All Blacks mindset shift not about copying the past, says Neil Barnes

Assistant coach Neil Barnes has pushed back on suggestions the All Blacks are simply returning to their traditional style after their emphatic win over France, insisting the team is focused on a forward-looking approach rather than rehashing old methods.

Speaking at a press conference as the squad prepared to face Italy in Wellington, Barnes made it clear the coaching group respects rugby history but isn't bound by it.

"I'd like to think we're a team that respects the past and will play according to how we think the game should be played," Barnes said. "There's a mindset shift here, and it's not about shifting back to something we had in the past."

The breakdown stats tell the story

The All Blacks' speed at the breakdown stood out in their first match, with 95% of possession cleared from rucks in under three seconds during the first half. Barnes credited meticulous preparation around footwork, carry technique, and supporting runners.

"There's a lot of work going into being best at basics," he explained. "A lot of that's to do with your footwork and your carry and the options around you. If you keep running into a wall all day, defence coaches are gonna dominate."

But Barnes was equally blunt about areas needing improvement. The team conceded 32 points, and while he praised the offensive execution, he didn't hide his frustration with defensive lapses.

"I don't think we're gonna be comfortable leaking that many tries," Barnes said. Lock Sam Darry echoed that view, noting the review session identified "a few little things" around individual collisions and effort that need tightening.

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Respect for Italy's forward pack

Barnes, who previously coached Italy, was forthright about the threat posed by the visitors. He pointed to their recent victories over England and Scotland and stressed the importance of showing proper respect.

"They've been together for five or six years now," he said. "When you keep a group of players together that long, you start to become cohesive and really strong."

Darry described Italy's forwards as "very physical" and noted the challenge ahead. "We know we've got a big, big challenge on our hands," he said. "Being aware of it's one thing, but trying to stop it and match it is another."

Emotional debut for Xavier Numia

Loosehead prop Xavier Numia reflected on his test debut, describing the post-match moment with his grandfather as "truly special." Video footage of his family watching his selection announcement went viral last week, and seeing them pitch-side in Christchurch brought fresh tears.

"As soon as I seen my grandpa, he gave me a big hug and obviously shed a few tears," Numia said. "It wasn't just my dream, but bringing his name out on the map was pretty special."

Numia, who came through school rugby with fellow debutant Billy Proctor, said neither imagined they'd one day share an All Blacks debut. "If you asked us 10 years ago, I'd probably think it's a joke," he admitted.

Barnes revealed his anxiety during a week that saw the top four locks unavailable, but praised the young second-row pairing for stepping up without hesitation. "It says a lot for the professionalism of those guys that they can get out on a stage like that and perform like they did."

With the squad now preparing for Italy in Wellington, the focus remains on refining execution rather than replicating the past. Barnes summed it up plainly: "We're comfortable where we're at. We also know we've got to be a lot better."