NZ leave us black and blue

ONE can only speculate what went through Eddie O’Sullivan’s mind when New Zealand’s Graham Henry announced his side to play Ireland last Tuesday.

With 15 changes to the team that dispatched Grand Slam holders Wales with ease, O’Sullivan’s first reaction must have been one of relief.

Any side minus the services of Tana Umaga, Dan Carter, Chris Jack, Jerry Collins and Joe Rococoko must, in theory, be seriously diminished. That said, the prospect of losing to what many saw as a shadow New Zealand side must have also induced a sense of trepidation for O’Sullivan’s management team. Damned if you do, dammed if you don’t.