All Blacks v Ireland: How Scott Robertson’s men can reclaim dominance – Ant Strachan

THE FACTS

• The All Blacks face Ireland, Scotland, England, and Wales in four test matches.
• Both teams have five wins each since Ireland’s 2016 victory over the All Blacks.
• The All Blacks aim to dominate the set-piece and redeem themselves at Ford Field.

Newstalk ZB rugby analyst and former All Black Ant Strachan opens his notebook to analyse the keys to victory for Scott Robertson’s side on the Grand Slam tour.

Time to head north (via Chicago) for a run of four gruelling test matches against the traditional home nations Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales. Since Ireland first beat the All Blacks, at this ground in 2016, the two sides have five wins apiece. So the question is, how will this test match be won?

Real offensive focus

• Recent victories (against France, Argentina, South Africa, Australia) featured scoring four or more tries, indicating strong offensive connectivity, clarity and confidence.
• The losses (against Argentina and South Africa) with only three tries and one try respectively, point to areas where offensive consistency was lacking.
• Despite pending coaching changes, the team must attack with innovation and confidence, maintaining a balance of structure and unstructured finesse.

Our territory game

• Mastering when, where and how to use the kicking game is crucial.
• Precision in executing the appropriate kicks, receiving, and contesting aerial balls will create more attacking opportunities and give the All Blacks the opportunity to control the territory battle.

Scott Robertson's All Blacks face Ireland this weekend. Photo / SmartFrame

Team selection and strategy

• Expect minimal changes from the victory over Australia in Perth; however, some bench adjustments may occur for technical and tactical contrast.
• Some players will be key in the selectors’ thinking: the Barretts, Roigard, Taylor, Holland, Lakai, Parker, Savea, Tupaea, Carter and Jordan.
• The focus remains on exploiting Irish vulnerabilities and maintaining consistency across the team.

Set piece and physicality

The set-piece woes against the South Africans showed how badly your entire game can fall apart when the fundamentals aren’t working. This is cut-and-paste stuff – but the All Blacks simply must be dominant.

• Dominating set pieces (lineouts, scrums) will provide offensive and defensive leverage.
• Winning collisions and collision-based battles from the first second are non-negotiable for seizing momentum.

Irish team insights:

• Strengths: Kicking game, tactical shifts, positional versatility and squad depth.
• Weaknesses: Lack of explosive speed in their back three, reliance on less dynamic attacking systems and uncertainties after Johnny Sexton’s departure.
• The Irish are still searching for the elusive playmaker to counter sporting rivals’ more unpredictable, innovative styles.

As these two teams emerge from their respective international shadows, Ford Field provides a neutral venue where the All Blacks have a chance of redemption. The Irish will still want to bury their Rugby World Cup quarter-final demons. For our boys, the NPC should have restored faith in our developmental talent, let’s hope our elite men, wearing black, can reciprocate.