All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says Jordie Barrett has provided “good insights” into Ireland ahead of Saturday’s Test at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Barrett spent seven months at Leinster last season, playing 15 matches and helping them lift the URC title before returning to New Zealand.
His time in Dublin means he knows many of Ireland’s stars intimately, and Robertson is delighted to have that knowledge in camp.
“Jordie’s pretty special,” said the coach. “You get players in your team that are rugby players and coaches before they’re coaches. He studies the game, studies the opposition, his memory on people’s statistics and who played where.
“His time in Leinster served him well for that analysis side of it. He’s given us some good insights and it’s great for him to be a part of our team.
“He’s looking forward to the game, as you’d expect. There’s a few mates on the other side.”
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Robertson dismissed any suggestion that Ireland might be undercooked, pointing out their experience and cohesion.
“How many Irish players were in the Lions squad? Sixteen? That’s pretty hefty. They won a series away, which is very tough for the Lions.
“They’ve got a group of men who’ve played a lot of Test footy, so they’ll be ready. They’ve got good cohesion and they’re well coached. We expect the best out of them.”
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The All Blacks returns to the venue where Ireland famously beat them for the first time in 2016.
“It was a pretty historic day, wasn’t it? When it’s the first time in history, you don’t want to be that team. But it happened. We’ve learned from it and we’ll make sure we get it right this week,” said Robertson.
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Since that 2016 shock, Ireland have won four more Tests against the All Blacks, turning the rivalry into one of the fiercest in world rugby.
“They’re really well coached, they kick well, they’ve got world-class players,” Robertson added. “There’s a lot of respect between the two sides.”
The post Jordie gives All Blacks valuable Irish intel appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson says Jordie Barrett has provided “good insights” into Ireland ahead of Saturday’s Test at Soldier Field in Chicago.
The post Jordie gives All Blacks valuable Irish intel appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
