New Zealand anticipate fierce Ireland test in Nations Championship
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie has warned his side to expect a fierce challenge when they host an unbeaten Ireland in Saturday’s Nations Championship clash in Auckland.
Both nations enter the 08:10 BST fixture with perfect tournament records.
The All Blacks have confidently dispatched Italy and France, while their European visitors boast two bonus-point victories.
Andy Farrell’s men travel to Eden Park seeking a historic first victory at the venue, aiming to shatter the hosts’ remarkable 52-game unbeaten home streak.
Eden Park fortress under threat
The Auckland stadium has long been an impenetrable stronghold for the rugby giants.
New Zealand have not tasted defeat at the ground since France emerged victorious there in 1994.
However, the home manager insists his players will not be relying on historical dominance against a touring team currently enjoying a six-match winning run.
The hosts are also acutely aware of recent history, having lost a landmark series to the same opponents during their last tour of the country.
“There’s a healthy amount of respect for the Irish. We’re well aware of their ability and they’ll come in and genuinely believe they can beat us.”
The New Zealand tactician praised the visitors’ coaching setup and highlighted the technical proficiency of their forward pack.
“They are a good side and you have got to be patient in an effort to break them down.”
Targeting Gibson-Park
A key battleground this weekend will be the performance of New Zealand-born scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park.
The playmaker was instrumental in a recent tight 33-31 triumph over Australia before being rested for the subsequent clash with Japan.
Rennie acknowledged the profound influence of Leinster’s combinations on the national setup, singling out the number nine as a primary threat.
“Jamison’s a big part of their success. We need to make life difficult for him so he can’t play on the front foot and apply pressure that way.”