All Blacks test discipline before Pumas crunch match


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All Blacks players are being deliberately provoked during practice to improve their discipline ahead of Saturday's grudge match against Argentina, assistant coach John Plumtree revealed Tuesday.

Plumtree said poor self-control was a major reason why the All Blacks posted back-to-back defeats for the first time since 2011 when they succumbed to Los Pumas on November 14.

Head coach Ian Foster has found unusual ways to ensure there is no repeat during the return Tri Nations fixture in Newcastle on Saturday, Plumtree said.

"We've put a big focus on it during training, putting players under pressure," Plumtree told reporters on a conference call.

"Fozzie's been working really hard on coming up with some creative games where potentially the players might get a little bit upset with some of his decisions, particularly on refereeing."

He said the players had "come a long way" in containing their emotions on the pitch and helping one another remain calm in pressure situations.

The three-time world champions committed a combined 26 penalties in successive defeats to Australia and Argentina, gifting their opponents decisive points.

The South Americans are expected to adopt similar niggling tactics on Saturday.

Fullback Beauden Barrett said the players acknowledged the problem and were working to address it.

"It starts with discipline, it starts with the individual," he said.

"It's like a skill or physical training. We need to train the brain as well."

Barrett said the All Blacks were grateful they still have the chance to win the Tri Nations if they post a convincing win over Argentina on Saturday.

He said the there had been an edge at training and the New Zealanders were primed for Argentina after their last encounter.

"I don't think you can question our heart but you can probably question the missed opportunities and lack of taking them," he said.

"We want to finish strongly in this competition and finish our year on a high."

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

(All games 4-3pm kick UAE time) Bayern Munich v Augsburg, Borussia Dortmund v Bayer Leverkusen, Hoffenheim v Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg v Mainz , Eintracht Frankfurt v Freiburg, Union Berlin v RB Leipzig, Cologne v Schalke , Werder Bremen v Borussia Monchengladbach, Stuttgart v Arminia Bielefeld

Yahya Al Ghassani's bio

Date of birth: April 18, 1998

Playing position: Winger

Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda

The biog

Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball

Five expert hiking tips
    Always check the weather forecast before setting off Make sure you have plenty of water Set off early to avoid sudden weather changes in the afternoon Wear appropriate clothing and footwear Take your litter home with you
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The biog

Simon Nadim has completed 7,000 dives. 

The hardest dive in the UAE is the German U-boat 110m down off the Fujairah coast. 

As a child, he loved the documentaries of Jacques Cousteau

He also led a team that discovered the long-lost portion of the Ines oil tanker. 

If you are interested in diving, he runs the XR Hub Dive Centre in Fujairah

 

Global Fungi Facts

• Scientists estimate there could be as many as 3 million fungal species globally
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• Fungi account for roughly 90% of Earth's unknown biodiversity
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FA Cup fifth round draw

Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
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Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United/Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Arsenal 

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution