All Blacks expect Murray
JOE SCHMIDT says it is “highly unlikely” that Conor Murray will be pitched straight back into battle against the world’s best team, but his opposite number Steve Hansen landed in Dublin yesterday fully expecting to face the Lions No 9.
The game of smoke and mirrors may be cleared up today when Ireland issue a squad update ahead of the clash of the world’s top two at the Aviva on Saturday, yet there is every chance Ireland could choose to keep the All Blacks guessing for another few days.
Having travelled to Dubai last week, Murray was at the stadium to watch his team-mates struggle to a win over Argentina and was due to talk to Schmidt yesterday about his chances of being available this Saturday.
He has not played since June due to a neck/shoulder injury, but has been training fully in recent weeks and said last month he hoped to return for the end of the month.
The coach says it is up to the player to declare himself fit. In his pre-game interview with broadcasters, Schmidt was upbeat on the Munster man’s chances and outlined that he has taken contact. But on Saturday he rated his chances of playing as slim.
“I’m going to chat to Conor and see how he is,” Schmidt said.
“It is really going to be Conor’s call.
“It’s not the injury. It’s really how ready Conor is and how fully-fit he is. It is tough to throw him into a game of this magnitude, so it’s highly unlikely he will be involved.” Hansen’s not buying it. “Big players will get up and if they think they’re right to play then let them play,” he said.
“They’re competitors. Conor Murray’s a real competitor. If he says he’s right to play, let him play.
“I’m not saying that to stir any trouble. But he’s a real competitor. He’ll want to play. If he’s got a chance I think he’ll play. If it was one of our guys in the same boat, I’d say he’d be putting his hand up.”
Murray’s fitness is the leading sub-plot of an intriguing week.
Neither side will be happy with how they played last week-