Ryan Giggs says Wales can learn from All Blacks

May 17, 2018
Posted by Steven Tan | Source from Sky Sports, PA Sport
Ryan Giggs believes his Wales team can learn from the All Blacks following a conversation with New Zealand rugby great Dan Carter.
 
The All Blacks have dominated rugby union over the last decade, winning two World Cups and have topped the world rankings since 2009.
 
Giggs is just a few months into his Wales reign - next week's trip to California to take on Mexico comes on the back of his first two in games in charge at the China Cup in March - but he already has a clear understanding of what he wants to see from his squad.
 
Ryan Giggs hopes Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League final so that Gareth Bale can win the trophy for a fourth time.
 
"I believe in giving youth a chance," said Giggs, who will be without senior players Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and James Chester in Pasadena.
 
"The experienced players are important in that respect too and they were in China. They came into the team and helped the younger guys along.
 
"I spoke to Dan Carter a few months ago and he was saying about the New Zealand rugby team, and when he was there he had to look after Beauden Barrett.
 
"He [Barrett] was after his place, but in New Zealand you have to look after the next generation. I thought it was fantastic that if he didn't, he would have got hammered from the All Blacks media and the fans.
 
"That's just part and parcel of why the All Blacks are so great. Even though that player is after his place, he still has to guide him and help him along."
 
Giggs knows the extra benefits of from having senior players like Bale - who misses the Mexico game because of Real Madrid's involvement in the Champions League final against Liverpool two days earlier - Allen and Aaron Ramsey around.
 
Carter has won two World Cups with New Zealand
 
The youngsters, he says, can learn from them and, in turn, the established players can thrive from freshness in the squad and greater competition for places.
 
"Dan had a pretty good career himself and he said it made him a better player and kept him sharp," added Giggs.
 
"It probably prolonged his career because he still wanted that jersey. But [he] knew he had someone biting at his ankles and wanting to take his place."
  • Related keywords: Wales, Ryan Giggs, Dan Carter, All Blacks