CONFIDENCE TRICK
All Blacks boss might have had a point as Irish camp refuse to rule Murray out
CONOR MURRAY has a chance of facing the All Blacks next month after all.
The news comes just four days after New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen suggested that Murray had been left out of the Ireland squad as part of a “trick” ahead of the clash between the world’s top two teams at Aviva Stadium on November 17. Yesterday, it emerged that the Lions scrum-half has been training with Joe Schmidt at Carton House this week and has not been ruled out of a first game of the season in the coming Test window.
Murray, 29, has been out since suffering a neck injury in pre-season but Ireland forwards coach Simon Easterby said the Munster man could be available for the All Blacks showdown.
Speaking in Chicago ahead of Ireland’s clash with Italy at Soldier Field, Easterby said: “No, he hasn’t been ruled out.
“He’s been on a longer-term injury list but he’s in camp this week. He’s been in Carton and we’ll probably assess him as we go through the series.
“Everyone that was selected in that squad is not necessarily fit now but they’re potentially available throughout the series. We’ll make decisions on each individual case as we go through the series, partly dependant on how well things go this weekend and hopefully if we stay injury free.
“But with Conor it’s giving him an opportunity to get back in with us.”
Easterby added that the November 10 clash with Argentina in Dublin was a little too early for Murray to make his seasonal debut.
“Yeah, I’d say more than likely. but without being there in Dublin now and knowing what he’s going through and what he’s reacting like... we’ll obviously make that call and get some information on him and his status probably later in the week.”
Ireland have a 26-man squad in Chicago for Saturday’s game with Italy.
Easterby confirmed Leinster back-rower Rhys Ruddock will captain the side and Schmidt will link up with the travelling party either later today or early tomorrow after overseeing preparations for the Argentina game at Carton House.
Full-back Rob Kearney and back-row Peter O’mahony both have shoulder problems and will be assessed this week before a decision is made on Sunday as to who is fit to face the Pumas.