Andy: All Blacks the benchmark
FARRELL: THERE’S NO MAGIC FORMULA ON HOW TO WIN
Andy Farrell may have got the better of world champions New Zealand three times but Ireland’s defence coach says he does not have a magic formula on how to beat them.
The 43-year-old Englishman finished on the winning side as a member of the coaching staff firstly with England in 2012, Ireland’s historic win in Chicago in 2016 and with the British & Irish Lions last year.
On Saturday he pits his wits against the All Blacks again in a clash between the top two teams in the world.
“There is no secret,” Farrell, who played for Great Britain in rugby league before switching codes and representing England, told a press conference on Tuesday.
“I’ve lost against them a lot more than I’ve won as well. They’re a good side, aren’t they, they’re going to have their time in the sun.
“What they’re masters at is making sure when things go wrong for them, which they do because they’re a team like anyone else, their confidence levels, their ability to stick to the plan and stay on point is better than anyone.”
Farrell was snapped up by Ireland when Eddie Jones told him he was not wanted after the Australian replaced head coach Stuart Lancaster following England’s disastrous first-round exit in the 2015 World Cup.
He has received much praise for how the defence performed in Ireland’s Six Nations Grand Slam campaign earlier this year.
He intimated that veteran fullback Rob Kearney may well return to the starting XV this Saturday after a shoulder injury kept him on the sidelines for last weekend’s 28-17 win over Argentina.
The tough as teak 32-year-old is seen as being excellent under the high balls the All Blacks are likely to pepper the Irish defence with and his experience may count in his favour rather than the sparkling young talent Jordan Larmour, who deputised against the Pumas.
“Their (the All Blacks) ability to get in the air and win the space for the ball is right up there, so, Rob, I think we all know, he’s outstanding in that area,” sad Farrell.
Farrell, who says regardless of whether Ireland win the All Blacks remain the best team in the world as they have set the standard for so many years, has been mentioned along with Lancaster, who has also rebuilt his reputation in Ireland with Leinster, as potential replacements for head coach Joe Schmidt should he decide not to stay on after next year’s World Cup. –