Tadhg Beirne confused about breakdown interpretation

For all the frustrations, Beirne is optimistic for an improved Irish performance in this Saturday’s second Test in Dunedin

FRUSTRATED: All Blacks Brodie Retallick with Ireland’s Robbie Henshaw and Tadhg Beirne during the first Test. Pic: ©INPHO/Billy Stickland

When one of the master poachers of Northern Hemisphere rugby admits he does not have a clue how the breakdown is currently being refereed you know that player must have been involved in a wild game around the contact area.

So it was at Eden Park on Saturday as Ireland went toe to toe with the All Blacks at ruck time and both Andy Farrell and Tadhg Beirne were left in need of clarity by some of the decision-making in a game that saw New Zealand concede 14 penalties to the visitors’ 10 and still run out 42-19 winners.