Dublin (AFP) – New Zealand captain Scott Barrett said on Thursday his side are expecting an “intense” test against Ireland in Dublin as the All Blacks covet Ireland’s world number one.
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New Zealand can return to the top of the rankings for the first time since 2019 if they beat the Irish on Friday and world champions South Africa lose to Scotland on Sunday.
The hosts and visitors have developed a fierce rivalry ever since the Irish ended a 111-year wait by beating the All Blacks at Soldier Field, Chicago, in 2016.
Ireland hold the lead over their opponents 5-4 – including the win in the USA – in their last nine meetings.
Those wins include a historic 2-1 series win for Ireland in New Zealand 2022, while the All Blacks ended legend Johnny Sexton’s stellar career by beating the Irish 28-24 in the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals last year.
The All Blacks’ task is even tougher as the Irish are on a 19-game unbeaten run at home.
“It’s going to be intense,” Barrett said after Thursday’s practice.
“Ireland has been there, not just in the last few years, I think in the last 10 years they’ve been leading the way in a lot of areas.
“We as the All Blacks like to be in the picture when it comes to the world number one.
“It’s a penny they have at the moment.”
Barrett, whose brother Jordie starts at centre, said last year’s quarter-final “was one of the big games of the World Cup”.
However, the end of the match was marred by an angry exchange between Sexton and All Blacks center Rieko Ioane.
Sexton has revealed in his biography that Ioane told him “Don’t miss your flight home tomorrow. Enjoy your retirement, you (expletive)!”
Sexton, no shrinking violet herself, answered back with interest.
“I guess there’s a lot of emotion and two teams wanting to get a result so sometimes emotions can boil over,” Barrett said.
“You just have to be careful with your game.”
The Irish have been at pains to say they are not on a revenge mission, but Barrett said he and his teammates had used the series defeat as motivation for their quarter-final.
“There’s always a lot at stake and even more so against Ireland who have potentially had some success over us in recent years,” said the 30-year-old lock.
“Last year’s game in the World Cup, there were a lot of guys hurt from the 2022 series loss at home, it was light fuel and you’re at a World Cup where everything is elevated.”
© 2024 AFP
