FEAR FACTOR
Weakness will be exposed by Kiwis — Farrell
FEAR will drive on Ireland against New Zealand at a sold-out Lansdowne Road on Saturday, according to defence coach Andy Farrell.
Ireland made history with a maiden win over the All Blacks in Chicago two years ago, but Farrell and his squad know that a repeat of last Saturday’s lacklustre display against Argentina will not be acceptable.
Steve Hansen has led New Zealand to back-toback World Cups and has a win ratio of 90 per cent as head coach, underlying the challenge awaiting Ireland.
Despite Ireland’s standing as the second-best team in the world rankings, Farrell knows that a sub-par performance will be ruthlessly punished by the visitors.
‘I think fear drives players like that because they want to perform against the best,’ he said.
‘They know it is a chance that comes around once a year, if that. It is two years since we last played them so it is the fear of making sure we put the best foot forward and make a good account
of themselves, both individually and collectively. ‘So, I think the fear drives us a little bit.’ Farrell said Rob Kearney, Garry Ringrose and Kieran Marmion are on the ‘right track’ for selection this week after the trio took a full part in training at Carton House yesterday. Uncapped Connacht centre Tom Farrell linked up with the squad yesterday as injury cover after a hamstring injury ruled Robbie Henshaw out of the rest of the autumn series. Veteran full-back Kearney is set to return while Ringrose is expected to shore up the midfield defence alongside Bundee Aki. ‘It is probably the hardest position on the field to defend,’ said Farrell on Ringrose’s possible return to the No 13 channel. ‘What Garry has got, he has got a feel for space, you know, he knows when to put the pedal down and put the pressure on at the right time but he also knows when he is in that little bit of trouble and giving himself time and space and he is normally good at making those decisions.’ Farrell has been defence coach to the last three northern hemisphere teams to have beaten the All Blacks; England in 2012, Ireland in 2016 and the Lions in 2017. He has made a huge impact since replacing Les Kiss as Ireland’s defence guru in 2016, but the Englishman sidestepped any suggestions that he may replace Joe Schmidt as Ireland head coach, should the Kiwi seek pastures new after next year’s World Cup in Japan. ‘Look, that type of thing, you won’t expect me to answer today,’ he said. ‘Look at the week that we’ve got. What I would say on that is, I’ve got a fantastic job. I really enjoy myself working under Joe, who will make his decision in time.’ For now, Farrell has been entrusted with shutting down the most dangerous attacking side in the world. Dealing with the twin threats of locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock will be high up on Farrell’s priorities this week. ‘Just look at the game from the weekend [against England] and what Retallick did, as far as the pressure at the front of the lineout. ‘It stops continuity and it puts the pressure on the lineout for the rest of the game. ‘You look at Retallick and you see an enforcer as far as the New Zealand pack is concerned. It isn’t just that either. He’s got good sleight of hand, holds width well, has got good feel on the ball. ‘He’s actually got good feet that people underestimate and, for a big man, he’s really good over the ball. ‘With Whitelock, you’ve got a workhorse. The fitness of the guy astounds me. He’s such a big guy. The speed he gets back on to his feet and gets back in the game, keeps going and going for 80 minutes ‘Those two guys can go 80 minutes, no problem and keep building through those 80 minutes as well.’ To be fair, Ireland have their very own world-class lock, in the form of James Ryan. ‘He backs himself,’ added Farrell. ‘He makes sure he has put his own game out there. That’s what I admire most about him.’