Andy Farrell Brutally Breaks Down Ireland's Heartbreaking Loss to the All Blacks
11/08/2024 06:49 PM
Andy Farrell’s Ireland suffered their first home defeat in more than three years, as New Zealand secured a 23-13 victory in the Autumn Nations Series.
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The loss was a bitter one for Ireland, as the All Blacks, led by fly-half Damian McKenzie, claimed their first win on Irish soil since 2016. McKenzie’s six clinical penalties proved to be the difference in this heated clash.
Farrell's Brutally Honest Assessment
Farrell didn't hold back in his post-match interview with Virgin Media Sports, acknowledging his team's shortcomings and desperation. “We all didn’t do (ourselves justice), we’re all in it together,” he said. “We had too many back-to-back errors and that’s not right, it’s not the feeling that should happen anyway.
“Those errors come from people trying to fix things on their own, it’s a little bit too desperate sometimes. Instead of just being calm enough and understanding how we get the ball back properly in the way that we want the ball so that we can get the right field position.”
Farrell's raw honesty highlighted the frustrations of a night where Ireland fell short of their usual high standards.
Where Next for Ireland?
Andy Farrell faces tough decisions ahead of Ireland's next match. Here are three changes he might consider to reinvigorate his side.
#1. Mack Hansen
Extra.Ie 5/10: “Connacht wing was short of match practice coming into this game, and it showed. Usually finds a way to influence things but he struggled.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Showed flashes of his creativity with ball in hand and had a couple of threatening runs. Worked hard defensively but not as involved as he'd have liked.”
Possible replacement: Calvin Nash, Jason Stockdale
#2. Ronan Kelleher
Extra.IE 5/10: “Always a big ask for player who had only 12 minutes under his belt coming into this game. Won't be happy with three botched lineout throws.”
Rugby Pass 5/10: “Back from injury, Kelleher was strangely pinged for contesting the ball in a 9th-minute ruck, an infringement that saw New Zealand get their first points of the game. Ireland's win percentage at the lineout was also sub-par, but he wasn't totally to blame for that.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “His first game in a month and in many ways, it showed as he was certainly rusty but did throw his weight around well on defence. The lineout lacked a bit of urgency and pace and Kelleher does need to shoulder some of the blame for the All Blacks' two clean steals off his throws.”
Irish Examiner 5/10: “Hooker was a real issue at one point for Andy Farrell with a ton of injuries but Kelleher fought his way back and but lacked minutes (only 11 played beforehand) and the tight scrum was creaking all night. Lineout wobbled, too.”
Possible replacement: Rob Herring, Dave Heffernan
#3. Bundee Aki
Rugby Pass 3/10: “A totally off-colour performance from Aki. Opened his account with a poorly timed pass which went to the deck before inexplicably spilling a ball a few minutes later. One good run aside, the All Blacks had his number in attack, where he struggled to make a meaningful impact.”
Planet Rugby 5/10: “A few uncharacteristic errors like dropping the ball cold as he looked up at the defence rather than keeping his eye on it. Still, he was tough to bring to the ground when he carried to the line but not at his box office best.”
Possible replacement: Robbie Henshaw
Check out RUCK’s player rating for Ireland and the All Blacks.
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