Tadhg Beirne still has nightmares about World Cup defeat to All Blacks
STUFF OF NIGHTMARES: Ireland’s Tadhg Beirne dejected after the loss to the All Blacks. Pic: Billy Stickland/Inpho
The self-help industry is full of advice on how to handle disappointments and setbacks. Coping mechanisms can be cemented into place, triggers avoided and mental strength can be baked into the cake regardless of how bad the moment tastes.
But life isn’t so simple.
Similar experiences can prompt wildly different responses. Context creates different boundaries. So it is that Tadhg Beirne has had to press pause on one recent challenge while accepting that a reversal much more distant continues to linger.
It’s little over a week since Graham Rowntree departed his role as Munster head coach just six games into the season. Such is the full-on nature of the rugby calendar that Beirne was already swapping his red jersey for green training kit that very week.
The Munster captain was in a meeting the day of the announcement when Munster CEO Ian Flanagan and head of operations Ian Costello informed them of the news, and he has since checked in with some of the players back in Limerick.
Ultimately, though, there isn’t time to fully absorb the reverberations around such significant news as Ireland focus on Friday night’s meeting with the All Blacks, but he can admit to a disappointment at the Englishman’s exit from the province.
“Everything he’s done for Munster has been incredible. He brought silverware to Munster in his first year and at a personal level I had a great relationship with Graham as well. I’ll be sad to see him go but I guess that’s part of sport too. These things do happen.”
If the focus is on the here and now then this first November international for Andy Farrell’s side is still coloured by the World Cup quarter-final meeting between the two teams when Ireland’s tournament was ended in agonising style in Paris.
One year and one month have passed since, and the large handfuls of life and rugby that have gone with it, but Beirne admits that the memories of the game still pop to mind now and then. It is a reversal that has led to more than one sleepless night.
Maybe the most frustrating part of it all is that Ireland could still have won despite an awful start that left the All Blacks with a 13-0 lead. In the end, the width of Jordie Barrett’s hand separated them from a first ever semi-final after a late siege by the Six Nations champions.
So many ifs and buts. And if Beirne could change only one?
“Tough question. I still have nightmares about that game. Look, it is a game of inches at the end of the day and there is a few moments in that game where we have looked back and said 'we could have done this' and 'we could have done that'.
“It is just being better in the moment, being able to see things in the moment and take those opportunities. One thing that sticks out in my mind was something I don't usually do in a four-man. I usually put pressure on the No.9 and I decided not to.
“Then they ultimately scored off it. It didn't ultimately lose us the game but they are moments in the game where you certainly think back and have nightmares about. If there is one thing we can be better at it is just continue to try and see opportunities and take them.”
Only four points separated them in the end and tight margins have been the norm for both as they went their separate ways. Ireland’s last four games have been decided by seven points or less. Five of New Zealand’s last seven Tests have been decided by eight or fewer.
New Zealand’s win in Twickenham last week was banked only after George Ford missed a late penalty and a drop goal and, while Beirne expressed sympathy for the out-half, he made the point that Ireland will be preparing for similar scenarios.
Another one-score game would hardly be a shock, even if Ireland are rated strong favourites and the Kiwi performance last week, which showed again the brilliance of some individuals, was far from perfect on both sides of the ball.
“Look, they put in a big performance,” said Beirne. “I think England are an unbelievable team and to get a win over them is no easy feat, especially in, what is it, Allianz Stadium now, is it? But there are always more gears in New Zealand.
“You have to always expect the unexpected with them. They can always level up at any point. When you think they are at their best there’s probably another level in them, so you have to be prepared for everything. That’s all we can do be the best we can this week.
“That’s the goal.”
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