Rugby: Analysing the Irish

Ireland's most decorated player Brian O'Driscoll trains at Mt Smart Stadium this week before their first test in New Plymouth. Photo / Dean Purcell

One of our lesser known rugby exiles, Jason Holland has nevertheless accumulated 102 caps for Munster and scored the winning try in the 2000 Heineken Cup semifinal.

For the past few years he has quietly been building an impressive coaching resume, at club and provincial level, spending the past two years as Munster's backs coach under Alan Gaffney.

So the former Taranaki and Manawatu five-eighths is ideally placed to assess the merits of this Irish side ahead of tomorrow night's test in New Plymouth.

Holland has been asked to look at five aspects of the test: the form of Ireland's key backs; a possible surprise package; an area where they could struggle; what sort of impact they might get from their bench; and the style of play they are likely to employ.

THE BIG NAME BACKS

Ronan O'Gara has always struggled in New Zealand, a point acknowledged by Holland who nevertheless says he is a class player who deserves respect for the way he can control games with his boot.

"He was under a bit of pressure earlier this season because he wasn't playing that well and he wasn't even kicking his goals very well, which is unlike him. But he's come back strongly and regained his form," Holland said.

Ireland's most decorated player, Brian O'Driscoll, had an excellent Six Nations campaign for Ireland in'09, though his Heineken Cup form has not matched that.

SURPRISE PACKAGE

"Look out for the hooker Sean Cronin. I really rate him," Holland said. The two-test novice is one of two Connacht players in the starting 15, along with blindside flanker John Muldoon, though he is originally from Munster. "He is not a huge man [103kg-1.81m] but he puts himself about."

Holland said that Cronin missed a couple of his throws against the Barbarians last week, a part of his game that has not developed as quickly as his general play.

Tomas O'Leary is hardly a rookie, having played 16 tests. The promising hurler was Declan Kidney's starting halfback in their 2009 Grand Slam, but New Zealanders will be more accustomed to seeing pint-sized Peter Stringer chipping away behind the pack.

"He doesn't clear the ball as quickly as Strings," said Holland, "but his defence is strong and he'll move across to help Rog [O'Gara] cover that channel. He's got a strong running game, in the mould of a Byron Kelleher."

Holland believes they have picked John Muldoon as an in-your-face presence at blindside flanker, a guy who will not be overawed by the likes of Jerome Kaino's physicality.

ACHILLES HEEL

Holland expected that the impact of the many injuries that have afflicted Ireland will be most keenly felt in the scrum, where he expects New Zealand to dominate. "The tight five might struggle a little," Holland predicts.

His thoughts marry with those of All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen who yesterday said: "We've got a pretty experienced tight five going on the track. It has got a really good balance of raw aggression and smarts ... I think we can physically dominate Ireland with that tight five."

BENCH IMPACT

Minimal, according to Holland, who wondered whether it would have been better to start the experienced Geordan Murphy at fullback and bring the livelier Robert Kearney on later.

Shane Jennings is a "handy" flanker, who will keep the energy levels high, while Jonathan Sexton has real promise at first five-eighth.

STYLE

They don't, said Holland, play what we would describe as attractive rugby, preferring to build attacks through several patient phases. They still rely heavily on O'Gara's boot and look to play territory, rather than space.

"There will be a lot of moves off the back of the lineout."

The adjustment to the new law interpretations could be pivotal, with Holland saying their introduction in the Magners League had been too ad hoc to get a real sense of what they could mean at international level.

Ireland's defence coach Les Kiss was giving little away yesterday, although he did say that he felt Ireland could benefit from the law emphasis.

"A lot has been said about the opening up of the game with the kicking law and the players lying at the base of the ruck - there's been some positive initiatives put in place," Kiss said.

"Every team probably thinks it's to their advantage. We feel we can get some advantages too. It will open up the game a bit and if it's there [space], we'll play, that's for sure. From what they've said, they'll play as well if it's there.

"Without a doubt, test rugby has become a game of chess. You've got to know when to pull the trigger and when to play the conservative game."

Put your money on the fact there will be a lot more conservatism than trigger pulling tomorrow.