O'Connell tackled by Richie McCaw in 2013. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
“I WAS NEVER part of a team that beat them, so it’s a big struggle,” Paul O’Connell recently told The42 when asked about facing the All Blacks.
“The big thing with them is just how clinical they are. When you give them an opportunity they take it, whereas down through the years we probably haven’t been as clinical.
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“It’s hard to put a finger on what they’re strengths are. They’re obviously numerous but what kills you is when you give them a half-chance with their speed of hand, speed of foot, footwork and their decision-making.
They just hurt you when you give them a half-chance.”
O’Connell was on the field at the Aviva Stadium back in 2013 when Ireland led New Zealand in the closing minutes.
A historic first-ever victory was snatched away, however, as Ryan Crotty’s try was followed up by Aaron Cruden’s retaken conversion.
Joe Schmidt’s men take on the world champions in Chicago on Saturday, and O’Connell believes Ireland will have to be at their very best to avoid another defeat.
“I think they’re beatable,” he added. “For an Irish team, we have to play close to our perfect game. Discipline has to be good, we have to take our opportunities and defence has to be excellent.
“They’re going to score tries even if we defend really, really well. You need to get everything right, whereas they don’t need to get everything right to beat other teams.”
'We have to play close to our perfect game' - O'Connell believes All Blacks are 'beatable'
“I WAS NEVER part of a team that beat them, so it’s a big struggle,” Paul O’Connell recently told The42 when asked about facing the All Blacks.
“The big thing with them is just how clinical they are. When you give them an opportunity they take it, whereas down through the years we probably haven’t been as clinical.
“It’s hard to put a finger on what they’re strengths are. They’re obviously numerous but what kills you is when you give them a half-chance with their speed of hand, speed of foot, footwork and their decision-making.
O’Connell was on the field at the Aviva Stadium back in 2013 when Ireland led New Zealand in the closing minutes.
A historic first-ever victory was snatched away, however, as Ryan Crotty’s try was followed up by Aaron Cruden’s retaken conversion.
Joe Schmidt’s men take on the world champions in Chicago on Saturday, and O’Connell believes Ireland will have to be at their very best to avoid another defeat.
“I think they’re beatable,” he added. “For an Irish team, we have to play close to our perfect game. Discipline has to be good, we have to take our opportunities and defence has to be excellent.
“They’re going to score tries even if we defend really, really well. You need to get everything right, whereas they don’t need to get everything right to beat other teams.”
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All Blacks facing history Ireland November Tests Paul O'Connell New Zealand