McNaughton: Croker crowd can inspire us to famous win

NEW Ireland manager Paul McNaughton believes the Croke Park crowd can play a major part when it comes to beating New Zealand for the first time in 22 meetings of the countries.

The score currently stands 20-0 to the All Blacks with one draw and realistically there seems no good reason why that should change after tomorrow evening’s clash. On the other hand, there is still a lot going for Brian O’Driscoll and his players on this occasion and chief among them has to be performing in front of 82,000 Irish supporters, something they’ve never had the chance to do before. And, of course, the fans will want to be part of a history making occasion.

“It will be a massive Irish support and they want to share in a history making game,’’ the former Ireland and Leinster centre pointed out. “You could say that the excitement has moved on from playing the first game at Croke Park and that now it’s just another stadium.

“Lansdowne Road was a more intimate venue but I think we’ve seen what the crowd at Croke Park can do, especially in the England-Ireland game two years ago when the crowd got behind the team and that’s what we’re hoping for and expecting at an early stage on Saturday. That was a very emotional game and we want more of that support this time.

“I also like the kick-off time (of 5.15pm). I think it gives you a bit of an advantage. We have found in the Heineken Cup that evening kick-offs work for Munster, for Leinster and for the supporters for various reasons, everybody seems to be very happy around 5.15pm although I’m not quite sure why. A good start is vital for any team playing against quality opposition like the All Blacks so we’re going after that and hopefully give the crowd something to cheer.”

McNaughton doesn’t feed into the widely held belief that this Irish team, like at least some of its predecessors, might suffer from a lack of self belief.

“That’s too simplistic,” he maintained. “Of course we have a poor record against New Zealand but a lot of the games have been very close. Many have been won in the last 10 minutes. I think the players have become a lot more confident in themselves thanks to their success in Heineken Cups and Magners Leagues so I don’t believe there’s any psychological block there.

“There is disappointment that they haven’t taken the opportunities when they came and they certainly came over the last two or three years. But it’s not a block. The guys feel they could have won two of the last four games. They didn’t and are disappointed with that but as I’ve said, they’re playing at home and that’s going to help.

“Among the players, outside the England game last time, this is the biggest game they’ll have played in Croke Park against the number one ranked team. And so there is a realisation that this is a really big game in front of a really big crowd and that it provides them with a wonderful chance to do the occasion and themselves justice.”

MEANWHILE, it is difficult to believe that any member of the Irish management team is being given a tougher task tomorrow than the new defence coach Les Kiss. A no nonsense, former Australian Rugby League winger who turned to Union coaching with the Springboks in 2001 who has since worked with the New South Wales Waratahs, Australia A, Japan, North Sydney Bears and Harlequins before throwing in his lot with Ireland, it’s his job to marshal the Irish resistance to one of the most formidable attacking forces ever assembled on the same rugby pitch.

“We’ve been working on our systems and this will be a good test for us,” he allows.

“New Zealand aren’t an easy team to analyse simply because they’ve got so many good players. They have a lot of threats right across the park. That’s why you rely on a team defence that actually understands what they can throw at you. The reality is that you can only cover so much. The rest of it comes from the willingness of your group to cover the surprise packages they may come up with.”

Even though New Zealand boast such fabulous wingers as Sivivatu and Rockokoko, they won’t be averse to using the aerial game to disturb the Irish back three and this an area where Kiss’s preparations will have played a big part in whether or not the tourists strategy in this area can be nullified. He simply comments that “we have some pretty handy guys who can cope with that and we’re prepared for it.

“All four of their tries against Australia in the recent Bledisloe Cup game resulted from varying kinds of kicks. The aerial game is something they do rely on. They create pressure through that kind of game and also trying to create a situation where the opposition comes from the opposition. Our game is about trying to turn the pressure and make sure they feel the heat as much as we do. The scrum-half and back-row for Saturday wasn’t the highlight of the selection, that’s for sure. All facets were covered and it came down to the best mix we could come up with.”

As for Sivivatu and Rockokoko on the wings, Kiss could be excused for fearing the worst. But in keeping with the oft stated desire to maintain a positive mood in the camp, he reasoned: “It’s more challenging for any team in the world facing those two. Everyone on the park has to be aware of the threat they present.”