THE FIRST PRESS conference of match week and already confirmation that Ireland aren’t the biggest deal in New Zealand.
In fairness, 75-cap blindside Jerome Kaino has a strong knowledge of Joe Schmidt’s side’s recent fixtures and memories of his own experiences of playing against Ireland, but young Ardie Savea alongside him struggled for insight.
The 23-year-old hasn’t played against Ireland, having just nine caps to his name so far, and was stumped when asked if he could recall watching any Irish teams or players as he grew up in New Zealand.
“Emm… not from the top of my head I can’t.”
Ardie Savea has been superb in 2016. Photosport / INPHO
Photosport / INPHO / INPHO
This is not meant as a criticism of Savea, merely a glimpse into the lack of status Ireland hold in rugby-obsessed New Zealand. Having never made a dent on the World Cup semi-finals, it’s arguable whether Ireland deserve any of the Kiwis’ attenion.
Fortunately, the wise elder Kaino was on hand alongside Savea, providing a succinct review of Ireland’s tour of South Africa, as well as his genuine surprise at hearing that Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony hadn’t travelled.
Kaino has worked with Schmidt before, back when the Ireland boss was an assistant coach to David Nucifora at the Blues.
Advertisement
Having just been asked by one Kiwi reporter if he views himself as a “rugby head,” Kaino points to Schmidt as being exactly that.
He’s a very well prepared man, he’s very similar to the coaches we have here,” says Kaino. ”They focus a lot on the detail and if you see the way that Ireland play, they’re very structured with the way they play. I can see a lot of Joe Schmidt in their game plans.
“He’s a very good coach and from what I remember he’s definitely what you would call a rugby head. He’s always got a laptop with a rugby game going on, but he’s got awesome details.
“The little things, the basics done well, and you can see it with the way Ireland play. They do the basics really well.”
Schmidt was with the Blues from 2004 to 2007, before following Vern Cotter to Clermont, while Kaino also played with one of the current Ireland team at the Blues in Auckland.
Ireland travelled to the US yesterday. Dan Sheridan / INPHO
Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO
Jared Payne – “a stand out” at fullback for Ireland in South Africa, according to Kaino – spent the 2011 season playing outside centre for the Blues, and his former team-mate remembers him as an excellent player.
Payne actually checked in for Ireland’s flight to the US yesterday with his New Zealand passport, so we ask Kaino if it’s odd to see a Kiwi native lining out in green.
“No, you actually feel quite proud seeing a guy take his opportunity,” says the ball-carrying flanker, who was born in American Samoa.
“He was a great player in New Zealand, but he thought he’d go overseas and make the most of his talent and he’s probably living his dream playing international footy. It’s not hard at all, we’re actually quite proud seeing him play.”
Now 33, Kaino has had a few battles with Ireland down the years, although he was not in Dublin back in 2013 when Schmidt’s men ran the All Blacks so close.
He watched that clash in Japan during one of his stints with Toyota Verblitz, but claims that the 22-3 win over Ireland at Croke Park in 2008 was “one of the toughest games I’ve played against Ireland.”
2013 is the most recent touching point for New Zealand when analysing Ireland, and that fixture is one that has come up at various stages in the All Blacks camp over the last number of years.
“There has been [mention of it] in the past, about never giving up,” says Kaino. “We really pride ourselves on our fitness and playing the full 80 or even longer, but also about how simple skill-sets make all the difference.
Kaino carries the ball against Ireland in 2010. Morgan Treacy / INPHO
Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO
“If you look there, it was Dane Coles who threw an offload [for Ryan Crotty's winning try]. Guys were throwing simple passes in front and you put someone away on the edge. We have reflected a bit on that game, but not much. I’m sure we’ll touch on it this week.”
That New Zealand have never lost to Ireland could bring some pressure in Chicago this weekend, though Kaino believes it will simply be one of the All Blacks’ motivations at Soldier Field.
We want to play well,” says the Blues back row. “I’m sure the winning streak will come into it. I’m sure the coaches will touch on it, but for us: we’ve just reviewed the Australia game and we weren’t happy with it.
“The scoreboard may say something different [the All Blacks won 37-10], but we know the areas we were dominated physically. Ireland will be looking at that, looking at areas they can exploit. We’re looking at the game and looking at areas we want to improve on.
“We want to go out in Soldier Field and put in a complete performance. I’m sure the coaches will touch on the winning streak and that we haven’t lost to Ireland, but it won’t be at the top of the list of our motivations. It’ll be there somewhere.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
All Blacks 'proud' to see New Zealand native Jared Payne in Ireland's green
Murray Kinsella reports from Chicago
THE FIRST PRESS conference of match week and already confirmation that Ireland aren’t the biggest deal in New Zealand.
In fairness, 75-cap blindside Jerome Kaino has a strong knowledge of Joe Schmidt’s side’s recent fixtures and memories of his own experiences of playing against Ireland, but young Ardie Savea alongside him struggled for insight.
The 23-year-old hasn’t played against Ireland, having just nine caps to his name so far, and was stumped when asked if he could recall watching any Irish teams or players as he grew up in New Zealand.
“Emm… not from the top of my head I can’t.”
This is not meant as a criticism of Savea, merely a glimpse into the lack of status Ireland hold in rugby-obsessed New Zealand. Having never made a dent on the World Cup semi-finals, it’s arguable whether Ireland deserve any of the Kiwis’ attenion.
Fortunately, the wise elder Kaino was on hand alongside Savea, providing a succinct review of Ireland’s tour of South Africa, as well as his genuine surprise at hearing that Sean O’Brien and Peter O’Mahony hadn’t travelled.
Kaino has worked with Schmidt before, back when the Ireland boss was an assistant coach to David Nucifora at the Blues.
Having just been asked by one Kiwi reporter if he views himself as a “rugby head,” Kaino points to Schmidt as being exactly that.
“He’s a very good coach and from what I remember he’s definitely what you would call a rugby head. He’s always got a laptop with a rugby game going on, but he’s got awesome details.
“The little things, the basics done well, and you can see it with the way Ireland play. They do the basics really well.”
Schmidt was with the Blues from 2004 to 2007, before following Vern Cotter to Clermont, while Kaino also played with one of the current Ireland team at the Blues in Auckland.
Jared Payne – “a stand out” at fullback for Ireland in South Africa, according to Kaino – spent the 2011 season playing outside centre for the Blues, and his former team-mate remembers him as an excellent player.
Payne actually checked in for Ireland’s flight to the US yesterday with his New Zealand passport, so we ask Kaino if it’s odd to see a Kiwi native lining out in green.
“No, you actually feel quite proud seeing a guy take his opportunity,” says the ball-carrying flanker, who was born in American Samoa.
“He was a great player in New Zealand, but he thought he’d go overseas and make the most of his talent and he’s probably living his dream playing international footy. It’s not hard at all, we’re actually quite proud seeing him play.”
Now 33, Kaino has had a few battles with Ireland down the years, although he was not in Dublin back in 2013 when Schmidt’s men ran the All Blacks so close.
He watched that clash in Japan during one of his stints with Toyota Verblitz, but claims that the 22-3 win over Ireland at Croke Park in 2008 was “one of the toughest games I’ve played against Ireland.”
2013 is the most recent touching point for New Zealand when analysing Ireland, and that fixture is one that has come up at various stages in the All Blacks camp over the last number of years.
“There has been [mention of it] in the past, about never giving up,” says Kaino. “We really pride ourselves on our fitness and playing the full 80 or even longer, but also about how simple skill-sets make all the difference.
“If you look there, it was Dane Coles who threw an offload [for Ryan Crotty's winning try]. Guys were throwing simple passes in front and you put someone away on the edge. We have reflected a bit on that game, but not much. I’m sure we’ll touch on it this week.”
That New Zealand have never lost to Ireland could bring some pressure in Chicago this weekend, though Kaino believes it will simply be one of the All Blacks’ motivations at Soldier Field.
“The scoreboard may say something different [the All Blacks won 37-10], but we know the areas we were dominated physically. Ireland will be looking at that, looking at areas they can exploit. We’re looking at the game and looking at areas we want to improve on.
“We want to go out in Soldier Field and put in a complete performance. I’m sure the coaches will touch on the winning streak and that we haven’t lost to Ireland, but it won’t be at the top of the list of our motivations. It’ll be there somewhere.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
O’Mahony and O’Brien among 7 left at home as trimmed Ireland squad goes to Chicago
From red heads to blue heads: Gazing into the All Blacks’ mental skills
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
All Blacks ardie savea Chicago Ireland Jerome Kaino old mates windy city