Murphy aims to make history
Ireland full-back Geordan Murphy has challenged his team-mates to make Irish rugby history by claiming the nation’s first victory over New Zealand.
The sides have met on 17 previous occasions with the All Blacks winning all but one encounter, a 10-10 draw in 1973, and Graham Henry’s men are heavy favourites to extend that sequence at Lansdowne Road on Saturday.
They opened their Grand Slam tour with a thumping 41-3 victory over Wales that sent a collective shudder through the home nations, but Ireland are ready to rip up the form book and complete a famous triumph.
“The fact Ireland have never beaten New Zealand is more of an incentive for us than a psychological stumbling block,” said Murphy.
“The carrot of getting a victory against them for the first time should help us go that extra yard and put our bodies on the line. It would be tremendous if we win on Saturday, it would be real history for those involved.
“It’s a huge ask though because New Zealand are the best side in the world. It’s tough finding a strategy to beat them as they don’t have too many weaknesses.”
Even allowing for their debilitating injury list, Wales were disappointing at the Millennium Stadium, allowing New Zealand to dominate up front and deliver first-rate ball to their backs.
The All Blacks’ finishing was typically clinical as they ran in five tries and Murphy insists Ireland must meet the toursts’ onslaught head-on or face being annihilated on the scoreboard.
“New Zealand’s performance against Wales was very impressive. They played great rugby. We have to turn up or we’ll be beaten heavily,” he said.
“The All Blacks often seem to be cruising and the next thing you know they’ve scored a couple of tries and you’ve fallen behind. They know how to rack up the points and keep the scoreboard ticking over.”
Winger Rico Gear scored a hat-trick in Cardiff and Murphy added: “All Black wingers are dangerous because they are so quick. But the quality of ball they’re getting is one of the reasons they’re able to do so much damage.”
Gear is rested for Saturday after New Zealand head coach Graham Henry opted to name a completely different side against Ireland, calling up the equally lethal Doug Howlett and Sitiveni Sivivatu on the wings.
Peerless openside Richie McCaw captains what is on paper the weaker of the two All Black teams but Murphy reckons whoever Henry picked, Ireland would have faced an almighty challenge.
“New Zealand could play numerous other guys who aren’t on tour and still put out a very strong side,” said Murphy, who will be winning his 32nd cap on Saturday.
“Graham Henry said he wanted to have until the next World Cup to build a powerful squad. He’s got that at the moment. Their strength in depth is tremendous.”
Murphy insists there is no special welcome planned for All Black hooker Keven Mealamu, who assisted Tana Umaga in the controversial spear tackle on Brian O’Driscoll during the first Lions Test last summer.
“There won’t be any fall-out from the incident. That’s in the past. Mealamu is playing but the incident won’t be anywhere near the players’ minds,” he said.
