NEXT MONTH WILL mark the 111th anniversary of Ireland’s first every meeting with the All Blacks.
And, as you may be aware, our little island nation on the edge of the Atlantic has not yet managed to beat that larger island nation from the far edge of the Pacific. So we should be hoovering up all the information possible from people who have managed go and beat New Zealand over 80 minutes of rugby.
“At the time, it was a big weight of my shoulders because I was under pressure,” says former England head coach Stuart Lancaster, now senior coach with Leinster.
Long before Lancaster’s dream of winning a home World Cup was cruelly unravelled in Twickenham, he made his mark in top class coaching by masterminding a brilliant 38 – 21 win over the reigning world champions in 2012 – just five months after Ireland had suffered a 60 – 0 thrashing in Hamilton.
Advertisement
“We had lost against Australia and South Africa in that series and the momentum had turned against me. There was a decision in one of the previous games [Chris Robshaw's choice to take a penalty kick over a line-out in the 22 against South Africa] that the captain had come under criticism for, but we held together and we held our belief.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
“I think the most important things about beating the All Blacks is that you have to believe you can.”
Ryan Crotty’s heartbreaking late try to deny Ireland in Dublin is now three years ago, but that performance still seems to give Ireland players the confidence to believe. Lancaster certainly believes, showing faith in both the Leinster players he has been working closely with and his former assistant, Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell
“I 100% believe that Ireland can beat the All Blacks,” Lancaster said at Leinster’s training base yesterday.
“They’ve got two opportunities. Obviously the first one is going to be away from home and will be tough because of trouble and the lack of chance with time to prepare. But I’ve seen the quality of players here in Ireland. The game at the Aviva will be in a fantastic environment and Ireland have got to believe they can do it.
“With Andy Farrell’s defensive systems, and what he has learned from his experiences against New Zealand, and what Joe (Schmidt) will bring with his intellectual property… the set-piece will be strong.
“I think Ireland should be optimistic.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Farrell input can help Ireland take historic win over All Blacks - Lancaster
NEXT MONTH WILL mark the 111th anniversary of Ireland’s first every meeting with the All Blacks.
And, as you may be aware, our little island nation on the edge of the Atlantic has not yet managed to beat that larger island nation from the far edge of the Pacific. So we should be hoovering up all the information possible from people who have managed go and beat New Zealand over 80 minutes of rugby.
“At the time, it was a big weight of my shoulders because I was under pressure,” says former England head coach Stuart Lancaster, now senior coach with Leinster.
Long before Lancaster’s dream of winning a home World Cup was cruelly unravelled in Twickenham, he made his mark in top class coaching by masterminding a brilliant 38 – 21 win over the reigning world champions in 2012 – just five months after Ireland had suffered a 60 – 0 thrashing in Hamilton.
“We had lost against Australia and South Africa in that series and the momentum had turned against me. There was a decision in one of the previous games [Chris Robshaw's choice to take a penalty kick over a line-out in the 22 against South Africa] that the captain had come under criticism for, but we held together and we held our belief.
“I think the most important things about beating the All Blacks is that you have to believe you can.”
Ryan Crotty’s heartbreaking late try to deny Ireland in Dublin is now three years ago, but that performance still seems to give Ireland players the confidence to believe. Lancaster certainly believes, showing faith in both the Leinster players he has been working closely with and his former assistant, Ireland defence coach Andy Farrell
“I 100% believe that Ireland can beat the All Blacks,” Lancaster said at Leinster’s training base yesterday.
“They’ve got two opportunities. Obviously the first one is going to be away from home and will be tough because of trouble and the lack of chance with time to prepare. But I’ve seen the quality of players here in Ireland. The game at the Aviva will be in a fantastic environment and Ireland have got to believe they can do it.
“With Andy Farrell’s defensive systems, and what he has learned from his experiences against New Zealand, and what Joe (Schmidt) will bring with his intellectual property… the set-piece will be strong.
“I think Ireland should be optimistic.”
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Sexton says he’s 100% fit for Ireland’s chance at history against the All Blacks
Keith Earls out of Chicago Test after receiving 2-week ban for tip tackle
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
believe Chicago Ireland Leinster New Zealand November Tests stu lancaster the optimist two shots at glory