Dave Rennie has urged his All Blacks side to be positive in every action they take as he discussed their mentality in this new era.<\/p>\n
There was criticism over Scott Robertson\u2019s conservative approach, from his team selection to the tactics they used in Tests.<\/p>\n
Since Rennie<\/a> has come in he as often used the word \u201coptimism\u201d, looking to re-ignite the attacking brilliance they had in years gone by.<\/p>\n \u2018We want them to express themselves\u2019<\/p>\n \u201cPlaying with optimism is a mindset around how do you score from here? I want us if the opposition spill the ball or we get an advantage five metres from our line, we\u2019re thinking, \u2018how do we score from here?\u2019\u201d Rennie told reporters.<\/p>\n \u201cBut optimism is also around your work ethic, so if we\u2019re optimistic, we\u2019ll get people back and people into position quickly so you can play.<\/p>\n \u201cIt doesn\u2019t mean that we\u2019re not going to kick. We\u2019ll still kick a lot but we want to kick on our terms.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve talked a fair bit in our camp, the boys are well aware of the importance of that mindset and the work ethic required that goes with it.<\/p>\n \u201cYou guys wouldn\u2019t have seen the training today but it was excellent. There was lots of energy and excitement.<\/p>\n \u201cWe want them to express themselves. It\u2019s Test match footy, I understand that, so there are going to be times when we\u2019re going to have to get into an arm wrestle, but we want to play with optimism.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018I don\u2019t like that term\u2019 \u2013 Dave Rennie distances himself from All Blacks \u2018Bomb Squad\u2019 after picking power-packed bench<\/a><\/p>\n The evidence of whether that message has seeped through to his All Blacks<\/a> players will be demonstrated this weekend against France<\/a> and in the following games.<\/p>\n Although Fabien Galthie has named a weaker side for the encounter in Christchurch, it is a much stronger squad than the All Blacks faced in a three-Test series last year.<\/p>\n \u201cWe picked the side that we think suits us. We\u2019re well aware of what the French can bring. They\u2019re big, they come alive when they\u2019ve got opportunities to play and off-load,\u201d Rennie said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got amazing guys who can kick distance, kick contestables, so we don\u2019t think they will go too far away from that DNA.\u201d<\/p>\n France missing star duo<\/p>\n Star wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey has been rested and the great Antoine Dupont has picked up a calf injury, but Galthie has still been able to pick the likes of Maxime Lucu and Matthieu Jalibert in his side.<\/p>\n \u201cThe French have got 28 professional teams. I\u2019m not sure how much of the French competition you guys watch but it\u2019s the best competition in the world. It\u2019s high quality, they\u2019ve got so much depth and it will be a quality side,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe way their competition goes, they play a lot of games and it\u2019s often this time of year they\u2019re a week away from a final and they often don\u2019t tour.<\/p>\n \u201cYou play what\u2019s in front of you but what we know is it\u2019s going to be a good side.\u201d<\/p>\n