Tadhg Beirne on trial to solve problem position for Ireland
The Munster captain is reprising the role in which he was used in last time out in the second test against South Africa, in Durban
Ireland blindside Tadhg Beirne has been tasked tonight with proving he is the man to carry on through the next Rugby World Cup.
Yes, the Munster captain is reprising the role in which he was used in last time out in the second test against South Africa, in Durban.
But these two games aside it is a return to no6 on the international stage for the first time since Italy and Scotland in the 2021 Six Nations and, previously, the 2020 November game with Georgia.
READ MORE: Andy Farrell wants to lay down a marker, bash the All Blacks and kill the idea Ireland are pushovers
Hard to believe maybe but this will be only his sixth start at blindside under Andy Farrell.
This could be that the national coach is signalling to the 'new' yet-to-be appointed Munster boss he wants the player moved from his permanent place in the province's second-row...
Or, more likely, the 32 year-old is being given first shot at what Farrell sees as a problem position given Peter O'Mahony is one the verge of retirement and Jack Conan is being eased out.
First shot? Yup, Ireland brought a shedload of blindside flankers to Portugal in Ryan Baird, Cormac Izucukwu, Nick Timony and Cian Prendergast with the first-named hotly tipped to fill the role at some point this November.
As it stands, Beirne has first shot and is looking forward to reprising his six-eight combination with the new skipper Caelan Doris, one that worked spectacularly well last time against the Springboks.
"We've seen Caelan step up and become more of a leader every time he’s been on, from day one being in here he’s been exemplary," he says.
"In everything he’s done he has been unbelievably diligent. You always see him going around with his iPad. He takes in information unbelievably well and he delivers the information he has taken in unbelievably well as well to those around him.
"It’s kind of just a natural progression for him. I think he fits into the role unbelievably well. I have no doubt he is going to be a brilliant captain over this campaign."
The Irish Mirror has a new WhatsApp rugby news and top stories service. Sign up here to join the group. You can leave the group at any time.
Beirne is relishing the thought of tonight's match-up.
"It's a huge game and I'm really looking forward to it. We got to watch them in action during the week and they were really impressive so really looking forward to the challenge ahead and a big week.
"They put in a big performance against England, who I think are a very good team and to get a win over them is no easy feat especially in Twickenham is it?
"But there are always more gears in New Zealand. I think 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 to be the best we can this week. That’s the goal."
Beirne's last outing against the All Blacks was the Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Paris - where he started in the second-row alongside Iain Henderson (James Ryan was injured and Joe McCarthy was on the bench).
And, a year and bit on, is still trying to work just where the side came up short.
"It's a tough question, still have nightmares about that game. It is a game of inches at the end of the day and I think there is a few moments where we have looked back and said 'we could have done this' and 'we could have done that'...
"I think 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 lineout. I usually put pressure on the no9 and I decided not to and then they ultimately scored off 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."
Paris, still spinning around and around in his head, is very much a memory he wants to exorcise.
"It's there quite regularly, particularly if you are having a sleepless night (laughs) it can keep you up at night sometimes.
"I think that's sport and they are the things you kinda have to live with. You have lost, live with disappointment for that, there are ones where we have probably disappointed others in the past and they are in the situation I am in.
"We lost that day and we can't change it but sometimes those moments just pop into your head and you can't help it, what could have been or..."
The quarter-final scoreline, 24-28, meant Ireland were still in with a chance at the close. Something, Beirne notes, not that unusual in modern Test rugby as international matches are increasingly being decided by the tightest of margins.
"It seems to be the case but that just shows how little there is between those around the top 10 in the world, I suppose any team could turn up on the day.
"You have to be at your best if you want to win these games. It often is by a very fine margin and that’s what you have to prepare for.
"You have to prepare for every scenario, and it was no different last week between England and New Zealand.
Sign up for the latest sport news from our Irish Mirror sport newsletter here and receive special updates on the Ireland rugby team during the November internationals.
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
