Ireland’s upset in Chicago should be Gatland’s template
Lions head coach can learn much from All Blacks’ only defeat since August 2015, writes Charlie Morgan
Steve Hansen warned the Lions not to heed too many lessons from Ireland’s victory over the All Blacks in Chicago. But, given that it is the only game New Zealand have lost since August 2015, Warren Gatland would do well to follow a similar template. Discipline is the first aspect to take on board.
Ireland conceded just four penalties over 80 minutes last November, refusing to allow their opponents to make easy territorial gains. By contrast, New Zealand incurred the wrath of Mathieu Raynal – the Frenchman who oversaw last weekend’s Crusaders match – on 12 occasions. Joe Moody was shown a yellow card for a tip-tackle early on as well.
The breakdown is perhaps the most important area in this regard. Especially when competing for the ball at the tackle area, the Lions must listen to each referee and respond to their interpretations. Ireland also exercised restraint with ball in hand. Despite enjoying a 51 per cent share of possession, they threw only three offloads compared to the All Blacks’ tally of 11. New Zealand are so deadly in the transition between defence and attack. Ireland’s low-risk approach underpinned an emphasis on protecting themselves from the unstructured situations. Although Ireland registered more than double the amount of kicks than New Zealand (29 to 13), Joe Schmidt’s charges also trusted their handling and breakdown skills, moving the ball from deep at times. They got through 82 attacking rucks, winning 78 of them. Such ball security hinged on diligence in the contact area – footwork from carriers to unbalance tacklers and help win collisions, robust clear-outs and precise ball placement. This meant Ireland could build fluent, multi-phase attacks.
Before mounting a second-half comeback, the All Blacks were restricted to 33 per cent possession in the first period. Crucially, Ireland’s set-piece functioned well, too. The absence of chief defensive line-out jumpers Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock certainly helped this. Even so, a solid platform allied to intelligent attack and quick ruck ball close to the line meant all five of Ireland’s tries arrived within five phases. The Lions must be just as incisive. ready to carry, New Zealand organise their defence at this ruck. Aaron Smith calls Owen Franks across from the blindside to the openside and Stander, part of the previous breakdown, lifts himself out of the melee. Stander sees Franks, and impedes him. Assuming that his tighthead has filled the guard role, Smith faces out and looks for an Ireland runner alongside Dane Coles. Murray dummies... and slips past a recovering Franks over the line.
Of course, there is a fine line. Cheating that is too obvious will ship penalties. But anything that provides an edge or manufactures an opening is worth a try. Lions’ kick-heavy approach as “washing machine rugby”. However, he then went on to lavish praise on Murray for his part in it. Eight months earlier, the Munster scrum-half had been central to Ireland’s win in Chicago.
The All Blacks deployed the aerial skills of full-back Israel Dagg on the wing for most of last year. They continued the practice against Samoa, probably because the defeat by Ireland was one of just two matches Dagg missed in 2016. Naholo was on the wing that day, and endured a difficult afternoon. From inside the 22, Murray drilled directly to touch.
Outside the 22, he hung the ball up for team-mates to pursue. On the two occasions when the ball travelled too far, an organised Ireland kick-chase stood up to New Zealand’s counter.
The All Blacks adore running the ball back against a defence in disarray. Murray’s accuracy suffocated them, though, allowing Ireland to control territory and contain their opponents. When Simon Zebo scurried over eight minutes after half-time in Chicago, Ireland led 30-8. They would need every point of that cushion, as New Zealand hit back with three quick tries. Just after the hour, the All Blacks