All Blacks rugby manager Andrew Martin has defended the size of his unorthodox management team after the recruitment of Canberra University biomechanist Mark Sayers brought the total of his support staff to 12. Sayers will be with the All Blacks throughout their international season to videotape the team's kickers to help increase their range with the boot. He also videotapes the scrums and when it is analysed by a computer program, Martin claims it can sometimes increase efficiency by five percent by adjusting the feet placement of one of the locks.
Martin claims such minute details can decide a Test match.
We would not expect any New Zealand company to short sell itself by not securing the best possible advice, and we're no different. We are the world leaders but we've got to work hard to stay there. He said the Wallabies have 15 in their team management, the South Africans a similar number, and the French have specialist coaches for tackling, kicking and catching, as well as a biomechanist. Martin said he knew the All Blacks had many more non-playing staff these days to support the same number of players who took the field in Meads' day. But now we are competing in an international professional environment and large sums of money are involved.