Only way to beat the All Blacks is all out attack – Robbie Fruean

As a proud Kiwi, Robbie Fruean would never bet against the All Blacks, but he reckons their downfall against the Lions this summer could come from Bath club mate Jonathan Joseph.
The England centre, right, was a surprise pick by Warren Gatland but Fruean fancies him as a Test starter at 13, given his lethal mix of brains, power and speed, and recommends a gameplan of high-octane attack to derail the world champions.
Fruean said: “I’ll always back the All Blacks and it’s going to be a tough job for the Lions, especially with the Super Rugby teams hungry to claim a win over them.
“It’ll be interesting to see how the Lions play. Teams that have been successful against the All Blacks in   recent years have tried to play rugby and attack them. You have to take it to them rather than try to defend the whole time.
“They’re relentless in attack so if you can tire them out in defence it’ll be harder for them in attack.
“JJ’s been a regular starter for England and he’s been playing well enough to start for the first Test. He’s got attributes that will help against the All Blacks and if they’re smart they’ll put a bit of extra focus on him.
“He’s rapid, probably the quickest in Bath, and strong defensively. Nine times out of ten he’ll make his tackles. He can play-make and create something out of nothing; he’s different to other centres I’ve played with but he’s right up there with them. He’s got the speed of a winger and the brains of a first five.”
Likely to be opposite Joseph in the All Blacks’ line-up is another of Fruean’s former team-mates, offloading-machine Sonny Bill Williams, who recently returned from Achilles injuries.
Fruean added: “He’s a quality player and he looks a lot fitter, stronger and faster since he’s come back from injury. You’d assume that if you put two men on him you’ll shut him down but he can get the ball away from any situation and that’s why I’ve always been grateful for playing next to him. He opened a lot of opportunities for me. But I don’t think you can focus on one player. They’re the All Blacks, so you have to focus on all 15.”
Fruean could have been in line to face the Lions with the All Blacks. His coach at Bath Tabai Matson even suggests that, at his best, he is “one of the best three ball carriers in world rugby”.
The 28-year-old was named U19 World Player of the Year in 2007 but open heart surgery the following year stopped him in his tracks. He fought his way back and formed a formidable partnership with Williams in 2011 as the Crusaders reached the Super Rugby final but two years later he needed further surgery and never got his chance to put on the All Blacks jersey.
But as he weighs up his options for next season with rumours he might be leaving Bath to join Edinburgh, he reveals he hasn’t given up on playing Test rugby.
He said: “The two surgeries were pretty massive. The biggest fear I had was when I first found out. I was young, immature and the doctor told my parents that I might not be able to play rugby again.
“I was just thinking, ‘no, I’m not hearing this stuff it’s outrageous.’ I was only 18 and this guy was saying I’d never play rugby again.
“But I did and I have a lovely partner at home and a new-born daughter who put things in perspective. There’s bigger things out there than rugby. Of course I would love to play for the All Blacks and play against the Lions but it’s not what was meant to be. Hopefully moving forward there will be something bigger. I don’t know what yet.”
Fruean added: “I have annual check ups where they test if there’s a dip in the function of my heart and recently it’s been quite good. But if it happened again I’d probably have to hang up my boots.
“I’ve got a couple of options and some decisions to make. Ultimately it will come down to what’s going to help me achieve my dream and goals over the next couple of years.
“I want to play in the 2019 World Cup. It probably won’t be with the All Blacks because that door is closed but I’m thinking of putting my hand up for Samoa through the Sevens team so I’ve got to look at which club is going to give me the best opportunity to do that.”
NICK VERDIER