‘Underdogs’ seek revenge
the underdogs — is expecting a much more composed performance than the one they produced in
DETERMINED: All Blacks out to punish Ireland for shock defeat
Chicago when the Irish recorded a historic first win in 29 Test meetings stretching over 111 years.
Hansen has been able to recall experienced locks Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, who should prove a
(left) celebrates Ireland's first ever victory over New Zealand in Test rugby in Chicago recently.
“So we will have to work hard to break that defence down.”
It will be crucial, too, says Coetzee, to cut out the errors that allowed England to score 23 unanswered points in a spell either side of halftime at a rain-swept Twickenham.
“Individual errors on the day, it just happens that the player didn’t get it right,” he said.
“But the players understand that you’ve got to swim, and swim very quickly.
“It’s going to be no different this weekend. We have to be more accurate in terms of execution when we have the ball and even when we don’t.”
Italy have played South Africa 12 times and lost on each occasion. And fans would be forgiven for believing an unlucky 13th is on the cards.
After replacing Jacques Brunel in July, coach Conor O’Shea insists the focus is still on trying to maintain a pre-set, disciplined gameplan for the full 80 minutes.
“I have huge confidence in the squad,” said O’Shea, who has recalled Giovanbattista Venditti to replace Angelo Esposito on the left wing while Francesco Minto comes off the bench to replace Maxime Mbanda in the back row.
Treviso’s Ornel Gega has already replaced injured hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini at hooker while Sami Panico has come in for injured prop Andrea Lovotti. AFP more competitive unit both in the lineout and the scrum than the duo of Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipulotu, who started in Chicago.
“Yes we are the underdogs,” said Hansen.
“Just go back to Chicago, it was 40-29 and they (Ireland) won easy.
“Strange or whatever, that is a fact and you can’t argue with facts. They are what they are.”
Up until the Irish defeat Hansen had guided the All Blacks to a world record 18 successive Test victories. He said that his players were aware of the mistakes that had cost them in Chicago and are looking to put those right.
“We know we didn’t play very well and we know we have to vastly improve because they are a very good side,” said the 57-year-old.
“If everyone performs their core roles such as lineouts, defence and kicking that should fix our performance and take it to another level.
“Certainly we must improve our discipline as we conceded 12 penalties in Chicago that allowed them to kick for position and put us on the back foot the whole time.
“You expect a couple of penalties but 12, that is really an off day.”
Hansen’s Ireland counterpart and fellow Kiwi Joe Schmidt dismissed any talk that his side were the favourites.
“I don’t think so. I know Steve pretty well,” said Schmidt, dismissing Hansen’s comments as mind games.
“Based on a recent result he’s put his summation on that. I don’t think he believes we’ll pay too much heed to that, because we know the quality they are.
“Part of that quality is their coaching team. I learned a lot off some of the people who are involved there.
“I think they are still in a really strong position.
“We just want to try to focus on our own performance, try to use Chicago as a reference point,” added the 51year-old.
Certainly Ireland wing Simon Zebo, who had an outstanding game in Chicago, believes the All Blacks will come out all guns blazing.
“I think Steve Hansen’s just being modest,” said Zebo.
“We put in a good performance the last day, but we all know New Zealand are going to perform a hell of a lot better this time.”
Hansen for his part made clear he did not wish to revisit how he felt after the two defeats to South Africa when he was assistant coach.
“How would you feel? You would certainly not be laughing about it,” he said. AFP