body-container-line-1

New Zealand unfazed by Chicago weather ahead of match against United States

By Allsports.com.gh
Sports News New Zealand unfazed by Chicago weather ahead of match against United States
NOV 1, 2014 LISTEN

New Zealand captain Keiran Read claimed on Friday that his team are ready to go against the Eagles - a side that has never scored a try against the All Blacks.

A high of eight degrees Celsius is predicted for Chicago on Saturday with USA to host New Zealand at Soldier Field, the regular home of the Chicago Bears in the NFL, while winds could be as high as 32km/h.

But for the New Zealanders it could feel just like home and they know exactly how to deal with the wind, while snow, which has fallen during some of their training sessions, is even less of a problem, according to Read.

"I guess we have to turn up tomorrow and see what the weather holds," he said.

"You certainly do see being out there today that the wind had an effect, more than the snow to be honest.

"If it does gust up then we will have to change our plans slightly, go to the front at line-outs and be a bit more sympathetic with the passing and things like that."

The Test against the Eagles will be the All Blacks' first of their end-of-year tour, which will also include against England, Scotland and Wales.

Meanwhile, USA coach Mike Tolkin admitted he just picked his best-possible line-up to take on New Zealand, arguing worrying about trying to match up on the All Blacks would have been "counterproductive" ahead of the third meeting between the two teams.

"Our selections were based more on how we wanted to play," Tolkin said.

"[New Zealand] present a big challenge, so worrying too much about them would be counterproductive.

"We had the line-up in place in our heads already and just confirmed it with training this week."

body-container-line