Irish ascend to new heights
But ‘No 1’ talk swerved after All Blacks coup
DUBLIN — New Zealand coach Steve Hansen’s claim that Ireland is now No 1 in the world and favorite for the World Cup has been dismissed as “banter” by the Six Nations champion’s boss Joe Schmidt.
Hansen — who will seek to retain the World Cup title with New Zealand in Japan next year — made that assessment after the Irish beat his side 16-9 on Saturday in Dublin for their first home win over the All Blacks.
“I said at the beginning of the week it is the two best sides in the world playing each other,” said Hansen.
“As of now they are the number one team in the world.”
Schmidt lauded his defense for becoming the first national team to keep New Zealand tryless since France in 1995.
But he was having none of Hansen’s “No 1” claims despite recording his second win over his compatriots in four meetings thanks to a stunning Jacob Stockdale try and 11 points off the boot of Johnny Sexton.
“I think he probably enjoyed a little bit of banter,” said Schmidt.
“I have huge respect for Steve and his team so to be favorites when they have been world number one for nine years isn’t likely.
“We are at home, they are at the end of a long series of games traveling round the world. We had the fantastic crowd right behind us so there were lots of things stacked in our favor.”
Hansen, who had a costly night as he handed over 460 euros ($525) before the match to Schmidt for four tickets, insisted the Irish were favorites for the World Cup, but added: “There is a lot of water to go under the bridge before it starts.
“Between now and then there can be injuries and new coaches. What we do know is Ireland will go there reasonably confident.”
Schmidt, who has reinvigorated Irish rugby since he took over in 2013, would not run with that theory.
“It is a nebulous thing for us, all we can control is our performance,” said Schmidt, who has led the Irish to three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam this year, and a first-ever win over the All Blacks in Chicago in 2016.
“Others can postulate who is where and who is favorite.”
Schmidt, who prior to the Ireland job helmed Irish provincial side Leinster to two European Cups, would not play ball either when asked if the players did not deserve the favorites tag heading to Japan.
“You can ask Bestie that,” he said referring to captain Rory Best, sitting alongside him.
“But I am not going to let him answer it! The players live in a bit of a bubble at this time.
“Really, as I said, being called World Cup favorites... what do you tangibly gain from that?”
‘Gutted’
Hansen, who said his players were “gutted”, tried to look on the bright side.
“This will be very useful as this team hasn’t suffered many (defeats) over the past three years,” he said.
Schmidt has been touted as a future All Blacks coach and is due to announce by the end of the month whether he will continue with Ireland once his contract finishes after the World Cup.
“He is a good coach but you can’t do that without having a great coaching team round you,” Hansen said.
“One thing I do know about being a head coach is when you win you get applauded and when you lose you get smacked around a bit.”