A story of resilience, with a country united behind them, the series gives exclusive insight into the team, the players, the coaches, and their journey.
Episode 1 sees the All Blacks taking the field for the final against South Africa. Episode 2 flashes back to the beginning of the 2023 season, following halfback Aaron Smith in his final home test in Dunedin, the All Blacks loss 7-35 to South Africa in the UK (26 August). Episode 3 follows the All Blacks pool matches, their opening match loss against France at Stade de France, the remaining pool matches and Sam Whitelock as he plays his 150th All Blacks Test match. The series ends with the historic quarterfinal win against Ireland, semi-final win against Argentina and the final which saw the All Blacks play with 14 men for majority of the match against South Africa and come close to taking the title.
In the series, Sam Whitelock reflects on his All Blacks career and 150 Test matches in the series, “Every All Blacks jersey I have played in has been special, you’re not just playing for yourself, you're playing for your teammates, family, country. One thing I am proud of is that I’ve committed and given it (the black jersey) everything I’ve got.”
Jordie Barrett reflects on the intense quarterfinal win against Ireland in the final episode. “The fact that we started so well we shut out their crowd a little bit in that first quarter, the air went out of the players as well. We looked across and the body language wasn’t great. But we were under no illusion they were going to come back. They got momentum, crowd got back into it. Players were a bit more chippy then the test was really on.”
All four episodes of In Their Own Words season two will be available free to air on NZR+ and All Blacks YouTube channels, as well as Sky.
To watch season two of In Their Own Words stream free on NZR+ (all episodes) or All Blacks YouTube (each episode premieres bi-daily from 2 June).
Series Synopsis
In Their Own Words returns for a second series, following the team throughout the 2023 season as they built towards the pinnacle event in the global game: the Rugby World Cup in France. The team lived through challenges and triumphs, both on-field and off, which are tackled unflinchingly by key members of the playing group and management in this series.
In Their Own Words explores this journey through those who lived it and is a powerful reminder of what it takes to live up to the expectations of the black jersey.
Episode 1 – The Final
October 28, 2023, Paris. The Rugby World Cup final brought together the most successful teams in history, South Africa and New Zealand. The All Blacks had defied the odds to make it, but no one could predict what was to come.
Episode 2 – Foundations
The season started under a cloud of coaching uncertainty, but on-field the All Blacks were razor sharp. A visit to storm-ravaged Hawke’s Bay (region in New Zealand) was powerful motivation ahead of departure for the World Cup, but a shock awaited in their final warm-up match.
Episode 3 – Written Off
Defeat on opening night against hosts France sent the All Blacks into the World Cup wilderness. But the loss also made their goals very clear; only an unbeaten run through the pools could ensure qualification, and a date with recent arch-rivals, Ireland.
Episode 4 – It’s Time
Ireland was on a 17-game unbeaten run and firm favourites when they lined up against New Zealand in the World Cup quarter-final. This was a match to define this All Blacks team and their World Cup campaign of 2023.
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