The second test: The big questions
Let’s see how Andy Farrell copes with the blowtorch being turned his way.
During the buildup to the first test at Eden Park in Auckland last week, All Blacks coach Ian Foster was under the most pressure as he sought to address the concerning issues that emerged during the successive defeats to France and Ireland in November.
Now it’s Ireland coach Farrell’s turn to squirm after the All Blacks beat his team 42-19. Not that Foster is off the hook. An All Blacks coach rarely is.
A victory in Dunedin tonight will give the All Blacks a series win, and the chance of a cleansweep in Wellington on July 16. Just don’t underestimate Ireland. Good enough to finish second in the Six Nations, expect the Irish to go ballistic at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
Stuff rugby writers Richard Knowler, Robert van Royen and Paul Cully offer their thoughts on five hot topics ahead of the test in Dunedin.
Former England player Stuart Barnes, a rugby pundit in the northern hemisphere, had a crack at All Blacks captain Sam Cane in an English publication this week. Fair or otherwise? The NZ Rugby board executed a U-turn by allowing Patrick Tuipulotu to be rushed back into the injury-hit All Blacks. Should they have stuck to the guns and continued the Big Freeze?
RK: It’s a mess. This business of Damian McKenzie and Tuipulotu not being eligible to play Ireland because they skipped Super Rugby Pacific to play in Japan, seems petty. Not to mention confusing: especially when NZ Rugby turns around and allows Tuipulotu in as injury cover.
RVR: No. Being required to turn out for his province before being eligible for the national side is a box-ticking exercise not worth losing sleep over if bypassed.
PC: He’s contracted to New Zealand Rugby, so it’s a logical decision. Previously, they picked Matt Todd when he was under contract to Panasonic in Japan, so Tuipulotu could argue he should have been eligible in any case.
If you were Ireland coach Andy Farrell, in what areas would you get your side to aim-up against the All Blacks?
RK: He needs to get his team to get its set-pieces right. Especially the scrum after last week’s hammering. You could also imagine Farrell telling his players to picture him putting 50,000 volts through the soles of their feet if they attempt to run the ball from within their own half at Forsyth Barr Stadium. You get the picture.
RVR: In and around the ruck. They were going great guns in Auckland through the first 20 minutes, repeatedly utilising inside balls to smash over the advantage line. They got torched the moment they strayed and got too expansive.
PC: It sounds odd but Ireland need to play a bit less rugby. They got themselves into a hole last week by needlessly trying to speed things up in the first half when they were already in control. They don’t have the All Black game breakers but they look good when they are methodical in holding on to the ball.