Ireland ended their campaign with a 40-21 loss in Eden Park in Auckland against New Zealand who extended their unbeaten record in Eden Park that goes back to 1994. Ireland will know they were second best today and left a few chances slip but also ball handling and tackling let them down when you need to be almost perfect to stand any hope of turning New Zealand over on home soil.
Andy Farrell had talked up Ireland chances this week in the build-up and was “excited” to see could Ireland turn New Zealand over in Auckland.
In truth, this Ireland performance never got off the ground and while some refereeing calls will be questioned New Zealand were well in control of this game and were well worth there win.
Ireland struggled to get any meaningful go forward ball and Nic Berry was very strong and clear in how he refereed the breakdown by talking both sides through nearly every breakdown. Ireland did not seem to read the memo and were continually pinged or “not rolling away” or “pinning the man in”.
Ireland were guilty of handing back control to New Zealand in particular just before the break where Ireland come back into the game having being 14-0 down to make it 14-7 and instead of setting up to clear their lines, Stuart Mc Closkey decided to play from his own line except nobody read the script and Ireland were back behind their own line when Will Jordan seized the loose ball and dived over to score try number 51 in an All Black shirt.
Ireland then conceded another score 2 minutes from the whistle and your now 28-7 down rather than 14-7 going in at the half. Those two scores kept New Zealand at arm’s length and allowed them to take the foot off the accelerator in the second half.
This showing was very familiar to those of us who grew up in the 90s and early 2000s when brave showings and wilting were the norm. Ireland have found a way to win over the first 2 weeks but today the failings and issues that dogged Ireland against both Australia and Japan were ruthlessly exposed.
Andy Farrell is locked in until 2031 but his assistants tellingly have not as of yet signed extensions, It might be time for a refreshing in the coaches box although the timing will be tricky as the World Cup is in late 2027 and most coaching teams will be ramping up there preparations for late 2027 in Australia.
Andrew Goodman has struggled to get his message across since taking on the backs coaching job from Mike Catt and although they did win 4 from 5 in this year’s 6 Nations and injuries have reduced options in the backs and he will know he will need to get which ever backs are selected firing with fluency.
The end could be nigh for men like Bundee Aki, guys like Jude Postlewaite, Dan Kelly are waiting there chance and yes there club seasons didn’t end well, it’s time these men were thrown in and see how they go.
As I mentioned before this Nations Championship began, a number of men were fortunate to get into the squad. It seemed some selections were purely based on work done rather than current form. I am afraid it might be time that Andy Farrell goes back now and reflects on the past 3 weeks coupled with the 6 Nations campaign and assess his options as we head into the new season which begins in late September.
Several of this squad will get a well-deserved break and rest. For a number of the guys involved this season is almost 12 months old. I am not suggesting that had any impact on this morning’s display. New blood is a must in the Irish set up to freshen things up.
There is plenty to digest after the international season and plenty to work on heading into next season. Certain aspects of today’s game worked but only marginally better than the previous 2 weeks.
Injuries did rule out a number of big players like Mack Hansen, Jack Crowley, Tommy O Brien, Calvin Nash, Ryan Baird, Jack Boyle and Andrew Porter to name a few ruled out through injury. In another way, those injuries meant that other players were put to head of the queue and had to step and be counted.
The past 3 weeks have shown me that while Andy Farrell has been handed the keys until 2031 plenty of work will be needed to get Ireland back and truly firing before the 2nd leg of the Nations Championship in November where Ireland will face Argentina, Fiji and South Africa.
If I was asked for an overall statement on the international year, I would say plenty of work to be done, high points beating Scotland and England in the 6 Nations in dramatic fashion to end the 6 Nations on a high note.
For the players and coaches the break will be welcome and they will know that they have a lot of work to do when they next come into camp to build up to leg 2 of the Nations Championship.
Let’s see what season 26/27 will bring but for now I’ll enjoy a few weeks where I won’t be seeing oval balls in my sleep…..