End of the road? /O’neill coy on future after Northern Ireland’s World Cup exit
Michael O’neill last night refused to discuss his future as Northern Ireland manager after his side agonisingly missed out on a place in next year’s World Cup after a play-off defeat by Switzerland.
Northern Ireland were held to a goalless draw in Basel, meaning Ricardo Rodriguez’s controversial first-leg penalty was all that separated the sides.
O’neill, pictured, has been strongly linked with the vacant Scotland manager’s post following Gordon Strachan’s departure – he’s the 7/4 favourite – but the SFA won’t be the only ones considering a move.
Asked about his future in a TV interview at full-time last night, O’neill said: “I’ve not even given it any thought. I don’t think it’s a reasonable question at this time. My focus is with the players and the boys in the dressing room.”
Scotland, of course, didn’t need any reminding of New Zealand’s capabilities ahead of this weekend’s Murrayfield clash. But the All Blacks provided it anyway in Paris on Saturday evening, when they became the first team in international rugby to cross for 2,000 Test tries.
It was France’s 11th straight loss to New Zealand and it could have been far worse after the Kiwis scored four first-half tries seemingly at will. The French at least managed a second-half rally to salvage a little pride and avoid another humiliating rout (New Zealand thumped them 62-13 in the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals).
France named four debutants in their side and were soon behind when hooker Dane Coles burst clear to touch down after only ten minutes, with a further New Zealand score from Kieran Read ruled out on review by the television match official.
The All Blacks, who will also play Wales as part of their Northern Hemisphere tour, soon extended their lead to 15-0 when Beauden Barrett released Waisake Naholo, before Teddy Thomas finally got France some points on the board.
The tourists, though, remained on the offensive, with further tries from Ryan Crotty and Sam Cane making it 31-5 at half-time to help the All Blacks bring up their landmark.
France were awarded a penalty try following an intentional knock down from Sonny Bill Williams, who was sin-binned, with Anthony Belleau’s conversion closing the gap to 31-18.
Thomas was denied a second try on 56 minutes as a foot had just gone into touch and Highlanders wing Naholo then touched down a late score to complete New Zealand’s victory.
France coach Guy Noves was infuriated by that firsthalf showing, which he considered totally inept.
“It would have been a disaster if we hadn’t reacted at half-time. Our first half wasn’t up to the standards of an international team. We lost an enormous amount of balls, lacked aggression in the rucks and lost possession as soon as we won it in the lineout,” said Noves, who added that his players “needed an electroshock at half-time”.
It worked to some extent because the All Blacks did not have it all their own way after the interval. The tourists’ coach Steve Hansen said: “We lost our discipline a little and a result of that we allowed the momentum to shift and the French were good enough to put us under pressure.
“We gave away 11 penalties in the second half and some of them were pretty basic.”
Indeed, the second half didn’t start at all well for New Zealand. Williams conceded a penalty try and was sin-binned not long after play resumed. Williams was adjudged to have infringed on left winger Yoann Huget as he chased a high kick into the left corner. “Good lesson for Sonny to catch it next time,” Hansen said, “not pat the ball out.”
So, worryingly for Scotland and Wales, New Zealand appear to have got last month’s defeat by Australia out their system before they travel to Edinburgh to face Gregor Townsend’s men and then head on to Cardiff the following weekend.