Andy Farrell believes the Irish team can still reach a higher level of performance than was achieved in beating the All Blacks for the first time on New Zealand soil in Dunedin a week ago and expressed the hope that they have reserved their best performance for the series decider in Wellington’s Sky Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 7.05pm local time/8.05am Irish).
The squad went through their final training session on a glorious day at the Jerry Collins Stadium in Porirua north of Wellington today (Thursday), after which as expected it was confirmed that Bundee Aki will start in place of Garry Ringrose, with Keith Earls taking his place on the bench in the only changes from the line-up in Dunedin.
“Selection has been difficult enough because people are always challenging within the group so that is always good but at the same time challenging in the right manner,” Farrell maintained.
“The meeting this morning was all about us making sure we were all on the same page, pushing in the right direction together, because there are nearly 70 of us on tour, and if we have everyone pushing in the right direction that will represent a hell of a force for us.
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“Everyone was right on point during that training session which is good news. Everyone realises the size of the task in hand but there is a lot of excitement in being able to deal with that.
“I think the best part of where we are at is that we know we can do better. What we have done pretty well over the last period of time is to have a clear understanding of what our game is all about and what we need to do to get better. It becomes more clear and obvious the more we do it together.
“We had a decent result in our last Test but we hope our best is saved to last.”
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As to how much improvement will be required to beat a wounded and stronger looking All Blacks’ side given the four changes they have made to their starting line-up, Farrell said: “We will see if much improvement is needed because, as I keep on saying, we are in control as well as them.
“They have got a plan but it is up to us to make sure that we bring a bit of chaos to that plan. We have to make sure we put a bit of doubt in the All Blacks’ minds as the game goes along. First and foremost we need to get our intentions and our accuracy over the line.
“It really does not get any better for us. We have all talked about playing against the All Blacks when our backs are against the wall or when they have come off a loss and we know what the history has said about all that.
“That is exactly where we want to be. We know they will be hurting. We know they have (previously) bounced back unbelievably strong. We have played them enough times to realise what is coming but to have them in the last game of the season when we expect them to be fired up, wanting to prove a point to us and to ourselves, it couldn’t be any better for us. To be able to deal with those type of situations is exactly where we want to be.”
In light of last week’s flurry of cards in the first half — one red and three yellows — invariably referee Wayne Barnes will be a central figure on Saturday, and his name was inevitably brought up.
“Discipline is huge in any game and we have a very experienced referee who we know very well. I hope that discipline is not the reason that decides the result for both teams.”
Farrell declined to comment on the pressure which his counterpart Ian Foster is under when asked, beyond saying: “Ian Foster is a fantastic coach and a great bloke. It is not my job to comment on stuff like that.”
Similarly, when asked if the All Blacks had grasped what is required to play within the laws, Farrell said: “It is not for me to comment on the All Blacks; it is up to me to make sure our guys understand what the laws are and whether you agree with them or not you have got to live by them. And that’s it.
“We can debate after this series is over and as the Southern Hemisphere rolls into the rugby championship, we can debate that. But the rules as of now are clear. We are not a side that really plays on the edge; we are a side that respects being disciplined so we cannot give the opposition an edge.
“It works both ways. Some love playing on the edge and putting referees under pressure; we tend to be a side that likes to have a low penalty count so therefore we can try and dominate territory in that way as well.”
All Blacks team
Ian Foster has recalled three players from the all-conquering Crusaders into the All Blacks’ team as well a wealth of experience into their match-day 23 for next Saturday’s Third test against Ireland in Wellington’s.
The All Blacks’ second-most capped player of all time and the Crusaders captain who led them to the Super Rugby Pacific title and sixth crown in a row, Sam Whitelock (133 Tests), has completed his 12-day return to play protocol after the concussive episode which ruled him out of the Second Test loss to Ireland.
The 33-year-old Whitelock resumes his partnership with Brodie Retallick for a 61st time at test level, while the former’s Crusaders’ team-mates David Havili and Will Jordan have also been restored at inside centre and on the right wing.
In a fourth change to their starting line-up, the 40-times capped 31-year-old Blues tight head Nepo Laulala also returns at tight-head. Two players shift position as a result, with Scott Barrett reverting to blindside, where he played in the First Test, and Sevu Reece switching across to the left wing.
In addition, Foster and his assistants have restored 35-year-old local favourite Dane Coles (80 caps) as replacement hooker and Akira Ione (92 caps) the bench, who are in line to play their first games in ten and 11 weeks respectively.
The big-carrying former rugby league star, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, is in line for his debut after an impressive first season in the 15-a-side code with the Blues in what would be just his 12th rugby union match.
“It’s tough having a loss but the tough weeks are often the most exciting,” said Foster. “A series decider against a high-quality side is a great occasion for our growth as a team.”
Maintaining his usual unfazed demeanour despite the mounting scrutiny on him and his assistants, Foster added: Individually you got through the same emotions as the team. When we don’t win there’s a lot of internal reflection in what we’re doing then you get into gear and start nailing the next week. That’s where I’m at. I can’t wait to play Ireland in Wellington.
“Everyone else is learning this is a high quality team we’re playing against. This is a great examination for us. We’ve got to show we’re smart and learning as well.
“It’s a series decider. We love these occasions and there’s an edge about it. It’s an early litmus test of how we’ve grown over the last few weeks.”
“Ireland have gained a lot of respect from our public. We’ve known that already. We can’t wait for the final contest,” Foster added. “It’s early in the season but we’ve been delivered this one occasion that’s pretty special so it’s a great chance for us to test ourselves in this environment.”
Ireland (v New Zealand, Third Test, Sky Stadium, Wellington, Saturday kick-off 7.05pm local time/8.05am Irish): Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Mack Hansen (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Bundee Aki (Connacht), James Lowe (Leinster); Johnny Sexton (Leinster, capt), Jamison Gibson Park (Leinster); Andrew Porter (Leinster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Peter O’Mahony (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Caelan Doris (Leinster).
Replacements: Rob Herring (Ulster), Cian Healy (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Kieran Treadwell (Ulster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Conor Murray (Munster), Joey Carbery (Munster), Keith Earls (Munster).
New Zealand team: Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes); Will Jordan (Crusaders), Reiko Ioane (Blues), David Havili (Crusaders), Sevu Reece (Crusaders, Tasman); Beauden Barrett (Blues), Aaron Smith (Highlanders); George Bower (Crusaders), Codie Taylor (Crusaders), Nepo Laulala (Blues), Brodie Retallick (Chiefs), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders), Scott Barrett (Crusaders), Sam Cane (Chiefs, capt), Ardie Savea (Hurricanes).
Replacements: Dane Coles (Hurricanes), Aidan Ross (Chiefs), Ofa Tu’ungafasi (Blues), Akira Ioane (Blues), Dalton Papalii (Blues), Folau Fakatava (Highlanders), Richie Mo’unga (Crusaders), Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (Blues).
