New Zealand could become a dark and desperate place after a loss to All Blacks and a few traveling Irish media personalities have given outsiders a first-hand look into the Saturday’s decisive test†
Former Ireland player turned commentator Donal Lenihan and Irish rugby caller Michael Corcoran have revealed what Kiwis really sound like to the rest of the world when things aren’t going so well in the national game.
“The word I heard used that was a good one was that their attitude was a little salty,” Corcoran said of the loyal All Blacks afterwards. the loss in the second test on the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
“It’s not something that often happens to them losing games, let alone losing games at home.”
Referee Jaco Peyper came under fire for some of his decisions from All Blacks fans and the New Zealand media to follow Ireland’s 23-12 win in Dunedin but there was little sympathy from Lenihan and Corcoran, who felt that Ireland herself had missed some controversial calls.
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Ireland celebrates its 23-12 win over the All Blacks in Dunedin.
“There is a tendency here to blame anything and everything except the people who were responsible,” Lenihan said of New Zealand fans on the RTÉ Rugby podcast.
“They have to look at themselves.”
Lenihan claimed the New Zealand rugby media were not happy with Peyper or Karl Dickson during the first test in Auckland and said they are still blame Wayne Barnes for losing the 2007 Rugby World Cup semi-final against France†
“They don’t know where to go,” he said.
He also feels that the All Blacks have crossed the line before and got away with too much.
“I think referees are looking at them now,” Lenihan said on the RTÉ Rugby podcast. “They crossed the line and now they’re under the microscope.”
According to Lenihan, the All Blacks made 27 under-roof handling errors in Dunedin.
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Irish media say the pressure on Ian Foster and Sam Cane could help or hinder Ireland.
“They need to get that right before they start worrying about officials and maps and stuff.”
Foster refused to blame officials after the loss in Dunedin but agreed with England coach Eddie Jones when questioning the amount of yellow and red cards currently being handed out in international rugby.
Corcoran believes the complaints around the officials and maps show how much pressure the All Blacks – especially Ian Foster and Sam Cane – are under in the decisive test, but Lenihan suggested it could inspire a special appearance from the men in black.
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Under Andy Farrell, many sections of the Irish media believe that the Irish team is not content with just beating the All Blacks in a one-off test.
But they are not writing Ireland off from claiming their first-ever series win in New Zealand.
Both felt that Ireland dropped points in the second Test, which gave hope that they can get better at the Wellington decision, which will also be necessary as they also expect the All Blacks to be a stronger team.
“There will be an awareness within that group that New Zealand will hit them with anything, so any opportunity to put points on the board will have to be taken this time around,” Lenihan said.
“But that’s the kind of pressure they have” [Ireland] have enjoyed.”
Corcoran said the Irish tour of New Zealand didn’t have the traditional end of season feel and under Andy Farrell Ireland has a championship team mentality, don’t celebrate the win too hard and focus on a series win.
“There is a sense here that there is a job to be done that history needs to be created in Wellington.”
Regardless of the outcome on Saturday, Lenihan and Corcoran believe the tour has been a success with new talent taking on the Māori All Blacks for one win each and competing with the All Blacks on New Zealand soil in a series of three tests.