England overcome, just:
Some of Kieran Read’s All Blacks may have mixed memories of Dublin.
Two years ago the All Blacks left the city as a chorus of complaints about the brutal methods employed during their 21-9 victory over Ireland at Aviva Stadium were directed their way.
Aaron Smith and Malakai Fekitoa were yellow-carded, the latter for a high tackle on Simon Zebo which was later deemed a red card offence by World Rugby, so he copped a one-week ban.
Sam Cane was also ordered to attend a judicial hearing, but escaped sanction for a tackle that flattened Robbie Henshaw and forced him from the field.
Now, at last, the biggest game on the rugby calendar for 2018 is almost upon us as the two sides prepare to meet in Dublin.
Ranked first and second on the World Rugby rankings list, they will clash next weekend. It promises to match the hype.
Following the 16-15 victory over England at Twickenham yesterday, captain Read and coach Steve Hansen were already contemplating what Joe Schmidt and his Irish team will try and do to them at Aviva Stadium.
Given England almost beat them with a structured game plan that required the inside backs to kick often and accurately in London, it’s probable Ireland will try to follow a similar strategy.
No 8 Read and players will reflect on the game in London, and quickly figure out what is about to unfold across the Irish Sea.
‘‘Not many guys have played here at Twickenham, against the English, so there are lessons to take on board,’’ Read noted.
‘‘The Irish will be of a similar vein next week. We have to just keep improving.’’
Ireland, the Six Nations champions, will quietly fancy their chances of beating the All Blacks at home for the first time. Prior to the dustup in Dublin two years ago, they had beaten the All Blacks in Chicago and braced themselves for a vicious backlash.
Afterward that success in Chicago, Schmidt used the ‘‘poked the bear’’ theory to warn what was going to happen in the return match. He wasn’t foxing; both forward packs dished out a ridiculous amount of punishment, amid suggestions from some northern critics that the All Blacks went overboard.
Hansen will field his strongest side from those able to guarantee maximum output against the Irish.
Apart from Sonny Bill Williams, who injured his shoulder, he will probably retain the same lineup. Ryan Crotty appears likely to start at No 12 after a fine performance at Twickenham.
As the rain drenched the field prior to kick-off in London, you could see the look of satisfaction in the faces of the English players. The softer the footing, and the more slippery the ball, the better; it negated the All Blacks’ attacking threats.
England were also in no hurry to allow the All Blacks to use their high standard of fitness to run them into the ground.