Boost for Lions as Irish show ABs ‘aren’t supermen’
Clive Woodward believes Ireland have proven ’’the All Blacks aren’t supermen’’ and their ‘‘inspirational’’ victory in Chicago has given next year’s Lions tour of New Zealand a massive boost.
Woodward, who coached England to their 2003 World Cup win but was humbled 3-0 by the All Blacks when he led the Lions on their tour of New Zealand in 2005, said Ireland’s win was significant for northern hemisphere rugby.
‘‘Ireland’s win was inspirational, brilliantly executed and the result of positive, clever, calculated rugby. It was a masterclass and exhilarating to watch. The much-vaunted All Blacks just could not handle it,’’ Woodward wrote in his column for the Daily Mail.
‘‘It also, glory be, demonstrated to those who had lost faith that northern hemisphere teams can take on and beat the southern giants. New Zealand aren’t supermen from another planet, although you might have been excused for thinking that from all the hype.
‘‘They are very good players who can, nonetheless, be put under pressure just like any other team. They can make mistakes and falter as well, when matched for the full 80 minutes.
‘‘It’s a message for all European rugby. I’ve sensed a little despondency with regards to New Zealand after their two World Cups on the bounce and world record 18-match winning run.
‘‘Many were putting them on a pedestal and forgetting that they are flesh and blood. With the odd exception, the home unions and France have got into a cycle of under-performing against New Zealand, although in fairness Ireland have given the All Blacks a fair old rattle occasions.’’
Woodward’s team set up England’s only World Cup triumph by beating the All Blacks in Wellington a few months before returning Down Under and claiming the Webb Ellis Cup in Australia. It was a result that gave them huge belief and momentum. He felt something similar could happen for the Lions off the back of Ireland’s success.
‘‘This win tees up the autumn beautifully and is a massive boost for the Lions.’’
Woodward suggested the Irish players had pushed their causes on a couple of for inclusion in Warren Gatland’s Lions team on the back of their efforts in Chicago.
‘‘A raft of Ireland players have put themselves very close to the top of the pecking order — Conor Murray, Johnny Sexton, Robbie Henshaw, a rejuvenated Rob Kearney, Jack McGrath, Rory Best, Devin Toner and others. They have set the standards,’’ he wrote for the Daily Mail.
Woodward said Ireland had ‘‘taken the haka out of the equation’’ by forming a No 8 formation to face it in honour of the late Munster coach and Irish international Anthony Foley.
‘‘It was a victory based mainly on the need to keep the ball in hand and not kick away possession to New Zealand’s dangerous runners. The entire team bought into that and the imagination and precision of the handling was exceptional.
‘‘Allied to that was a rock solid set-piece and massive physicality in the contact area and defence. OK, they conceded 29 points but you are never going to shut New Zealand out, you just have to ensure you score more points than them.’’