All Blacks masters of simple game

The attitude among the rugby going public to this afternoon's international is unusual. Conversation has centred more on the margin of a New Zealand win than on the possibility of an Irish one.This is a change from past experience when the first international of any season was awaited with optimism - albeit usually based more on hope and passion than logic. The increase in the number of international games and the showing of the southern hemisphere Test matches and Super 12 series have contributed to the current mood.Anybody who has watched these matches knows that New Zealand play a different standard of game at representative and international level.Although Ireland has never beaten the All Blacks we have gone close on a few occasions. The first international I attended was at Lansdowne Road in 1973 when Ireland drew with the New Zealand side lead by Ian Kirkpatrick.I can still recall the attempted conversion by Barry McGann of Tom Graces' try in the right hand corner. From my position in the crowd under the old East Stand I watched the flight of the ball towards the post. First it looked like it would miss on the right hand side, but as it neared the target it swung in towards the post to the loud cheers of the crowd and then drifted wide on the left. Little did I realise then that that kick represented the best chance Ireland had ever had or has had since of beating the All Blacks.Many of the coaches I played under used to say that rugby was a simple game. I believe that it is a far simpler game nowadays than it used to be. The recent law changes have had this effect - in particular the outlawing of the wheeled scrum and the allowing of lifting in the lineouts. The scrum is now a very powerful platform from which to attack with options on both sides. It has become very difficult to defend, particularly since the back row have now got to stay bound.Any well-organised side can depend on their lineout possession. In the past, this area was totally unpredictable and I personally regret the fact that the lineout is no longer a real contest.I am sure that the safety factor contributed to the changes in the laws. A bigger contributor was, I believe, the wish to make the game simpler for the paying public, including television viewers. Some ex-players feel, however, that a lot of the craft and guile has gone from the game.The game has overall become far more athletic.

Even the physical shape of the players has changed. Sometimes nowadays it is difficult to distinguish between wingers and props or half-backs and back row forwards.Ireland had a reasonably good international record in international rugby in the past because what we lacked in athletic ability and size we compensated for with determination, passion, guile and intelligence. We were the master destroyers by wheeling scrums, bunching lineouts, smothering the ball in the loose and generally creating havoc among the best-organised sides. It is no longer possible to do that to the same effect although passion and determination are still invaluable assets.The frequency with which we have met touring teams has also made them better prepared. I remember, some years ago, one tourist saying that everybody now expected the Irish to come out wound up and fighting for 20 minutes but that, if they could endure that, things would settle thereafter.The All Blacks coach, John Hart, is probably the best in the world. When he coached Auckland they were doing to the other New Zealand provinces what this current bunch of All Blacks are doing to the opposition. He has developed a very complete style of play and the technical ability of the New Zealand backs in doing donkey work (i.e. forward play) is as good as forwards anywhere. Similarly, their forwards can now pass, run and link-up as comfortably as world class backs.Consider how strong their squad is when they can leave Josh Kronfeld and Jonah Lomu out of their side.From an Irish point of view, this team would appear to represent a turning point as it is the first team selected under the new system. We can therefore presume that Brian Ashton has more or less got the side that he wanted. They would certainly appear to have been picked on current form.Injuries have ruled out a few but that is going to be a more common problem with the increased demands. We, nevertheless, have four Lions in our pack, a very experienced performer in Paddy Johns and marvellous potential in Malcolm O'Kelly. Kieron Dawson has by all accounts been playing extremely well and is reputed to be a very effective tackler.The great question mark in the pack is over Eddie Halvey who is undoubtedly one of the most talented players in the country but who has yet to display his full array of skills at national level. He will be anxious to establish himself as a regular in the team. He will know that he can do so if he produces his best.Conor McGuinness and Eric Elwood have struck up a great partnership for Connacht this season. Their defensive qualities will be much in demand, but they must also use all the ball that they get wisely.The selection of the three-quarters was probably the most problematic. Denis Hickie has not been playing up to his potential but I believe that the selectors are right to stickwith him on the basis of his known ability. People might argue with the other four selections but I believe that the players chosen have as good a case as anybody else to wear the green.The reality is that, apart from the players ruled out by injury, nobody has really emerged to stake an outright claim to these positions. These players all get a chance to do so this afternoon and they will be conscious of the fact that a lot of players have never got such a chance and they will want to take advantage.The Irish team is in the nice position this afternoon of having very little expected of it. However, the arrival of professionalism means that the demands are greater than those on previous Irish teams because they are being paid well to play rugby - even if it is not nearly as much as this afternoon's highly paid opposition.