While Saturday’s win against Japan was stop-start and stuttering, it’s unlikely Andy Farrell will be reading too deeply into what he saw in Newcastle, at least when it comes to the short term.
With four players making debuts, and a handful more still in the very early stages of their international careers – not to mention the long list of frontline stars who were resting up – the 36-20 win can be viewed in a vacuum.
Farrell picked apart the issues in the performance on Saturday night, saying he was “relieved” his side came through their banana skin without any major issue. All in all though, he would have been content enough with what he got out of the occasion.
With one week and one game left in the season, the stakes are infinitely higher this weekend.
The Ireland squad arrived in Auckland on Sunday night, ahead of facing the biggest challenge in Test rugby; taking on New Zealand at Eden Park, where the All Blacks have won 52 times in a row since their last defeat in Auckland, way back in 1994 to France.
It’s four years since Ireland last visited New Zealand, with Farrell leading Ireland to a remarkable 2-1 series win, with victories in Dunedin and Wellington.
However, the first Test defeat was a 42-19 trouncing in Auckland.
And the Ireland head coach had laid the challenge down to his players, as they look to achieve something nobody has been able to accomplish in the professional era – win at Eden Park.
Ireland lost 42-19 on their last visit to Eden Park
“We’re the lucky ones, we have a shot at doing something that nobody’s ever done [in pro rugby],” Farrell said.
“Nobody’s done it – certainly in the last wee while – for a reason, because it’s their Mecca, it’s their ground where they tend to attack the game, and we’ve been on the end of that, I’ve been on the end of that plenty of times.
“But this is a one-off chance, and we’ve got to see what we’re made of, that’s it.
“All you can do is be the best version of yourselves, and see what that type of opportunity that can bring out in you, but there has to be a realisation of what you’re coming up against as well.”
Ireland had the All Blacks’ number four years ago, with their series win giving them five wins against New Zealand across the previous six years.
However, normal order has since been restored, with three New Zealand victories in a row in this fixture, including a thrilling World Cup quarter-final in 2023.
It was put to Farrell on Saturday that his Ireland team owe New Zealand one after those recent defeats.
The Ireland head coach tried his best to sidestep the question, but he didn’t disagree.
New Zealand have picked up wins against France and Italy in their opening Nations Championship games
“They’ve belted me a good few times, so I’ve been on the receiving end a good few times, so yeah, for what’s gone in the past, I’m sure that’ll count for a little bit of something,” he added.
“But a new [New Zealand] coaching team, a new set-up, all of that will certainly build us a little bit more of a one-off game.
“What a privilege it is that we’re able to face them, and we’ve got to embrace that, and take it with both hands, and see what we can do with it.
“The spirit’s as high as it can be, but at the same time, the determined mood and the confidence that we need to build from Monday onwards has to build up to something that probably has to be the performance of our lives.”
While Farrell won’t be putting much stock into Saturday’s win against Japan, elements of the game will have given him food for thought.
To start with the negatives, the lineout remains a real concern.
Having lost four of their own throws against Australia, a considerably different set of personnel lost another five against Japan, one of which was instantly recovered by Rónan Kelleher. Both of Japan’s tries can be attributed to Ireland’s lineout errors.
The first, three minutes into the game, saw a breakdown in communication between Kelleher (below) and his forwards.
It’s impossible to know from the outside, but what is clear is that either Kelleher threw too early of James Ryan jumped too late, with the second row still only getting off the ground when they ball sailed over the back of the lineout.
Japan’s second try, just before the hour mark, arrived from a crooked throw when Ireland were back on their five-metre line, with Craig Casey and Ryan’s big tackle on Sam Greene ultimately in vain.
On the positive side, Ireland’s defence looked far more connected than it had against the Wallabies in open play, although New Zealand will provide a far greater stress test this weekend.
Farrell will name his team on Thursday morning (Wednesday night Irish time), and the head coach does have some selections to consider based on the win against Japan.
It’s hoped Rob Baloucoune is fit to play against the All Blacks, having missed the opening two games with a hamstring injury, and if he is, the big question is who drops out?
Jimmy O’Brien replaced Baloucoune in the side to face Australia, and the versatile Leinster back was one of the few players who looked faultless against Japan, making a couple of piercing runs, and dominating aerially.
O’Brien has done enough to be given his shot in the starting team again, but if he and Baloucoune both start, then Jamie Osborne would likely have to drop out.
And if Farrell is determined to have Osborne in his matchday 23, then Bundee Aki’s position as the outside back would be vulnerable. Aki, however, looked “in determined mood” when he came off the bench against Japan, to quote Farrell.
Sean Jansen has made a real case for inclusion against the All Blacks
In the pack, Farrell needs to make a big back row decision.
Sean Jansen’s performance on debut can’t be ignored, and Farrell was suitably impressed as he spoke of how the Connacht number 8 “attacked the game” right from the start.
Jack Conan would be expected to move back into the 8 jersey on Saturday, and Josh van der Flier and Nick Timoney will contest the openside flanker spot, with one starting and the other on the bench.
But there would be a real temptation for Farrell to play Tadhg Beirne in the back row, which in turn could make space for Jansen on the bench.
Ireland have lacked a second-half spark in their recent defeats to the All Blacks, and the New Zealand-born back row might just provide it.