Rugby:Ireland coach Declan Kidney has called on referees to ensure the contest at the breakdown remains under the new global law interpretations.
The Irish players have had limited exposure to the new rules that have been applied throughout this year’s Super 14.
They got a taste of them during the Six Nations but then played under the more familiar laws when they reverted to the provincial competitions and now find themselves playing catch-up heading into Saturday’s Test against New Zealand in New Plymouth.
Kidney’s pleas for a contest echo those of many southern hemisphere coaches who felt in the early stages of the Super 14 the decisions favoured the attacking side too much.
By the end of the competition, though, that was not the case as players and referees got to grips with the changes - something the Irish will need to do quickly.
“I think rugby’s always a battle in terms of law between trying to have a bit of continuity but also trying to have a fair contest,” said Kidney.
“If you take the contest out of it you get a game in a different code. I think it’s important that we try and keep the contest in the game.”
Kidney acknowledges his players are on a steep learning curve this week as they look to get up to speed.
“You can watch it on television but there’s nothing like operating at it first-hand,” he added.
“It’s our job to adapt. We have a good contest for competition in our one. It’s slightly different with the new emphasis and we’ll have to adapt to that.”
Leinster number eight Jamie Heaslip conceded the new interpretations at the breakdown, which require the tackler to release the player before attacking the ball again, appeared to be applied more strictly in the southern hemisphere - but he was not complaining.
“It’s probably good for us because it might produce more quick ball and with quick ball our backs can be devastating,” he said.
“We’re going to have to be cute and smart around rucks and just listen to the ref and play the ref.”
Englishman Wayne Barnes is the man in charge on Saturday.
While he refereed the All Blacks against Scotland in November 2008, it will be the first time he has taken charge of a match involving Graham Henry’s men in New Zealand since the infamous 2007 World Cup quarter-final against France.
Barnes is also getting to grips with the new interpretations and took the opportunity to referee an under-21 second division club game in Wellington last weekend to brush up his skills ahead of the Test in New Plymouth.
Henry has also voiced his concerns that northern hemisphere referees will struggle to adapt in the coming weeks of Test rugby in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
But Barnes got the seal of approval from former New Zealand number eight Murray Mexted - the coach of one of the teams involved in the club game and a harsh critic of the Englishman - after his run last Saturday.
Heaslip is confident his fellow forwards still have enough physical presence to take on the All Blacks pack even without injured trio Paul O’Connell, Jerry Flannery and Stephen Ferris.
He said: “It’s a shame Paul, Fla and Fez are out right now but Micko (Mick O’Driscoll) has a good few caps under his belt and John’s (John Muldoon) come in and Sean (Cronin) is showing some really good promise and has a lot of pace as well so he will bring a new dimension to the game.
“We are in good shape. We might not have Paul who is our pack leader on the pitch with us but I think we have enough leaders in that pack and in the team to make sure we’re up and ready.
“I don’t think it’s going to take a whole lot to motivate us to be honest.”
Muldoon, who got his first taste of international rugby on last June’s tour of North America, is certainly relishing the physical battle up front.
“When you look at (Richie) McCaw, (Jerome) Kaino and (Kieran) Read it’s a very formidable back row,” the Connacht skipper said.
“I’m looking forward to playing against some of the best players in the world in their positions.
“It’s in my nature to get stuck in. I’m not one to be hanging out the back too much.
“It’ll be a nice challenge.”