'He's given us some good insights': Barrett’s Leinster spell arms All Blacks for Ireland Test

Scott Robertson believes Jordie Barrett’s time in Dublin has sharpened New Zealand’s understanding of Ireland’s systems as the All Blacks target a Grand Slam. 

Jordie Barrett's time with Leinster may not have ended with European silverware but it was enlightening. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Scott Robertson had the Bulls on his mind and a Saturday showdown at the home of the Bears too. The New Zealand head coach could be cut a little slack, then, for not quite getting his ducks in a row as the first Test week of autumn dawned.

Weighing up the challenge that Andy Farrell and his players may pose in Chicago this weekend, Robertson was briefly caught in a muddle as he reached for a third member of the animal kingdom, referring to Ireland as "the Lions". After a summer when rugby’s red tourists were about as green as could be, that too should probably be forgiven.