Declan Kidney faces his sternest examination as the new Ireland coach as a cautious All Blacks team touches down on the emerald isle
However, it you listened to Irish columnist Vincent Hogan, it is a hugely unpopular New Zealand team who, if they lose, is to witness one of rugby’s great redemptive offerings – as well as performing a haka that is “essentially, a leery war dance.”
End quote.
This has gone down with expected apathy in New Zealand, where journalists are now firmly back on the All Black bandwagon thanks to a successful 2008 season so far.
Local media in Aotearoa have responded by pointing out that Ireland have not won in 21 clashes between the two nations, and swanked over the All Blacks number one world ranking.
Some would have us believe that when the All Blacks look at Ireland they see “lifelong losers,” noting that full-strength Irish sides lost to New Zealand this year when the All Blacks were still rebuilding, and also lost in 2006 when Henry was rotating his team like a crazed maniac behind the wheel.
The last time the All Blacks played Ireland in Dublin, they rotated their entire starting XV and won 45-7.
Of course, both camps are paying precious little attention to the media frenzy, following the time honoured tradition of talking their opponents up.
For the All Blacks, Henry has made eleven changes to the “second XV” that beat Scotland and has duly wheeled out the howitzers, unveiling a line up featuring 618 test caps.
“The Irish have a very fine side and there is a lot of depth in Irish rugby,” Henry said at his team-naming press conference.
“They are the European champions at club level (Munster), they probably have two of the best sides at club level in Europe and they played very well on the Southern tour recently and could have won both games.”
There are no significant surprises to the side, with only Joe Rokocoko, Keven Mealamu, Ali Williams and Ma’a Nonu remaining from last week’s game. Kieran Read has been selected on the bench, suggesting that he may have overtaken Adam Thompson for the utility back row role.
On paper it is an astonishingly strong team, considering the All Blacks lost 500 test caps twelve months ago.
Irish coach Kidney has named one surprise, selecting Tomas O’Leary at scrum half ahead of Eoin Reddan. So with Ronan O’Gara at standoff, this will unite a Munster combination, of which eleven of the starting 22 are represented by the famous club.
Despite the brilliant debut of Munster full back Keith Earls, Kidney has opted for experience, calling in Leinster custodian Girvan Dempsey – one of four Lions in the Irish backline, the most significant of which is, of course, Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll, who will lead Ireland for the 50th time.
Kidney said his team selection was tailored to the All Blacks, with experience influencing his thinking.
“We have selected a team with a skill set that gives us the best possible chance on Saturday.”
“New Zealand are the Tiger Woods of world rugby. They’re an extremely good side. This is probably the toughest time to play them. They have the objective of winning a Grand Slam tour.”
“We have no illusions as to how hard it will be but we want to test ourselves against the best.”
Earning his 45th test cap, Munster open side David Wallace will try to counter the brilliance of the All Black captain. The Irish and Munster locks, Paul O’Connell and Donncha O’Callaghan, will look to rule the air – one area where the Irish may be able to dominate off the kicking game of Ronan O’Gara, who is probably a better tactical kicker than any All Black, but is only a shadow of the runner Dan Carter is.
But it will again be the spotlight for Brian O’Driscoll, playing against the only Test nation he has not beaten.
If he can shut down the midfield of the All Blacks, it will increase the pressure on New Zealand. It goes both ways: if the Irish captain has a good game, Ireland may be a chance; if he does not, the All Blacks will run riot.
The mercurial threats from the All Blacks will be Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, but this is a big game for the All Black back line.
Mils Muliaina, Rokocoko and Sitiveni Sivivatu are the most experienced three quarters New Zealand wield, but have not played together in over a year. They may be rusty, but it will be a long night for Ireland if they fire.
Likewise, Conrad Smith is under pressure from Richard Kahui, and his performance in shutting down the Irish captain will go far to cementing his spot.
Last week, we saw a rare spectacle: an All Black scrum not imposing themselves on their opposition. With the strongest pack available to New Zealand rugby bar Andrew Hore trundled out to Croke Park, they will look lay the platform for a strong All Black win.
82,000 partisan Irish will inspire the local team, but with a Grand Slam in their sights, they will not have enough to avoid defeat to New Zealand by twelve points.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Former New Zealand skipper Kieran Read has backed Scott Barrett ahead of Ardie Savea to succeed Sam Cane as captain under Scott Robertson. Cane…
It didn’t come as that big a surprise when Sam Cane announced he was walking away from the All Blacks on Monday. That’s not…
Sam Cane has stood down as All Blacks captain and might have played his final Test after signing a new three-year deal with Suntory.…
Seven months after the Springboks sensationally elected for a scrum from a mark inside their 22-metre line during their run to a fourth Webb…
Column: So, elite test rugby might be going to Qatar. Interesting. I can’t say I’m too enthused. Nothing to do with sportswashing, but we’ll…
Australian rugby has many problems - financial crisis, ever-shrinking audiences, shortage of coaching expertise, Greg Martin, etc etc. But one problem which I have…
