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Wallabies mainstay Allan Alaalatoa says Dave Rennie has encouraged the team to learn a song from Tonga and Fiji to help improve the team’s culture.
The current Wallabies squad is made up of players of diverse backgrounds and Alaalatoa says the former Chiefs coach has encouraged all players to learn the lyrics to a song from both Tonga and Fiji to help bring everyone together.
“That has been one of the big changes that I have felt this year, that there have been a lot of kids coming of Pacific Islander descent,” Alaalatoa said Wednesday as the Wallabies begin their preparation for Sunday’s Bledisloe II at Eden Park.
“One of the great things [Dave] Rennie has advanced that the Fijians have shared a song for the team to learn and the Tongans have also shared a song. Now we are just waiting for the one from Samoa.
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“But those little moments off the field have been great for us, the more we can connect off the field the better it will be for us on it.
“The more we know each other, it is essential to face these tough tests.”
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Dave Rennie has sought to bring together players from diverse backgrounds within the Wallabies team.
The days when the Wallabies team was mostly made up of players who went to private schools are long gone and, like the All Blacks, it is a team made up of diverse cultures.
Alaalatoa says it was a smart move for Rennie to use the middle of the song to bring everyone together.
“We had a team meeting and he (Rennie) stood up and said that one of the guys from Tonga has a song for us,” Alaalatoa said.
“So I think he must have tapped one of the guys on the shoulder silently.
“So it’s really good to see everyone enjoy the song and learn it.
“It’s a little way to bring the team together and that’s great from the coaching staff.”
Phil Walter / Getty Images
Allan Alaalatoa says the Wallabies need to improve on the collapse this weekend.
Alaalatoa, whose father, Vili, played for Samoa at the 1991 World Cup, said the non-Pacific
Players on the island had also committed to learning the two songs.
“That’s for the best,” he said.
“When you see kids that aren’t from the Pacific Islander get stuck in the song and really enjoy it.
“There is this genuine feeling of wanting to connect and a reason why our culture is growing.”
Meanwhile, Alaalatoa said the Wallabies had been working to improve their game in the break after acknowledging that it was an area where the All Blacks were superior in Wellington.
“These are just small opportunities to work towards the end of the sessions, making sure we are creating good habits,” he said.
“They penalized us a lot for going over the ruck and they received a lot of penalties for their jackal, so for us it’s about understanding where we can be better and applying that.”
Due to the exciting finale to last Sunday’s event in Wellington, there is great anticipation for this weekend’s meeting in Auckland.
Alaalatoa says he can feel that in New Zealand, but he’s also getting feedback on excitement from rugby fans in Australia.
“I suppose everyone will be willing to do it,” he said.
“The best thing about last weekend was seeing everyone’s reaction at home. They send us the videos and when you’re playing away from home you forget about all the support you have.
“Obviously we understand that this country here in New Zealand is going to get better and will really enjoy Sunday’s game.”
