Dan Sheehan: 'The reality is it doesn't matter. Both teams are full of world-class players'

As Ireland and New Zealand prepare to go head-to-head tomorrow Dan Sheehan is not worried about Ireland's lack of game time leading into the clash

READY TO ROCK: Dan Sheehan said he and his teammates are determined to deliver another ‘life moment’ for Ireland fans as he insisted Saturday’s Chicago rematch with the All Blacks hasn’t arrived too soon. Picture: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

Dan Sheehan said he and his teammates are determined to deliver another ‘life moment’ for Ireland fans as he insisted Saturday’s Chicago rematch with the All Blacks hasn’t arrived too soon.

The lack of game time for Andy Farrell’s front-line players has been one of the dominant themes coming into this opening autumn international, a Soldier Field renewal nine years after Ireland’s breakthrough victory here over New Zealand. However Sheehan, who will captain his country with skipper Caelan Doris among the replacements, is adamant he and his fellow Lions contingent are ready to rock.

"We've obviously had two different journeys as teams over the last few months and you can look at it both ways,” Sheehan said after Ireland’s Friday morning captain’s run at Soldier Field.

“Some are fresh, some are battle-hardened, whatever way you look at it. The reality is it doesn't matter. Both teams are full of world-class players and professionals that are well able to rock up on a day and put out their best performance. I suppose we'll see tomorrow, but I don't think it'll be a factor.” 

Ireland fans have been streaming into Chicago’s downtown over the last 48 hours with Saturday’s meeting a 62,000 sellout. Having decamped to the city for nearly two weeks, Ireland have savoured the long lead-in as they look to create another moment to remember.

"It's been a brilliant build-up over the week. We got here nice and early, and you can feel it building every day. Obviously there's a lot of Irish in already, nice and early, and you can get a bit of a buzz around town,” said Sheehan.

"I think that 2016 moment, we've talked about it a bit, that was a bit of a life moment for every Irish sports fan back in 2016. Massive memories. Everyone has a memory of where they were and how special that day was. Obviously we've had some big battles against New Zealand over the years since then. I think everyone's pretty buzzed to almost feel a part of that day in 2016, and for the rematch. It's pretty special that we all got here.

"It would have been a fixture that you saw on the calendar very early in the year, and something that you've always wanted to aim to make sure you're fit and at your best. So, yeah, the excitement among the group is massive.” 

Part of a richly experienced front row, Sheehan pointed to pack duties when asked for some key factors in deciding a meeting between the second and third-ranked teams in the world.

"I think set-pieces will be massive. Scrum and lineout always have a massive part to play in these sort of big games,” said the 27-year-old.

"I think how we start tomorrow will be big. Any time we've gone well against New Zealand, we've had a good start. Apply the pressure rather than react to them. But it's professional sport, it could go either way, and we just need to be able to switch momentum if we have to, or keep momentum if we have it. I think where we play the game, not overplaying in our own half and stuff like that will be a big part.” 

With just two survivors from the 2016 win alongside him for starters, Sheehan was asked where a 2025 repeat victory would rank. He immediately replied “right up there”.

"It would be pretty special, especially for the run-up that we have in the next two years, looking at the next World Cup.

"This game is massive for us, it's massive for our group, and people are really excited. I think a win tomorrow would definitely rank up there in basically everyone's career.” 

Thrust back up to the top table on Captain’s Run day, Sheehan will lead Ireland out as Doris’s return from shoulder surgery which has sidelined him since May comes off the bench. Having skippered his country for the first time against Wales earlier this year, there is no novelty or disruption to the honour this time around.

“Nothing majorly changes for myself or my own prep. I'll go about my business as usual, obviously with a bit of a mind on the rest of the lads,” added Sheehan. “Look, there's so many leaders in our group, we've got a great leadership group that almost does the work for us.

"Throughout the years, we've always sort of just taken our own little bits through the week that we have to lead. I've seen a good bit that we might be undercooked, but I don't think it's a massive part. I think the way we've prepped over the last two weeks has been through real tough trainings, and we can take confidence from that and how we train.

"Obviously, a few lads have played a bit more game-time, but I think people are good and (there are) refreshed bodies, ready to rip into Saturday."