'We've got some ideas': How Maori All Blacks plan to maintain unbeaten run against Ireland
Ireland may be among the world’s best teams, but the Maori All Blacks are brimming with confidence to keep their long-standing unbeaten run against the Irish alive over the coming weeks.
That’s the verdict delivered by Maori All Blacks head coach Clayton McMillan, who is optimistic about his side’s chances when they host Ireland in Hamilton on June 29 and in Wellington on July 12.
Those matches come as part of Ireland’s five-match tour of New Zealand, during which time they will also square off against the All Blacks across three tests in Auckland, Dunedin and Wellington.
Much of the spotlight will be thrust on how the Irish fare against the All Blacks in what promises to be a blockbuster series as the newfound, yet storied, rivalry between the two nations opens a new chapter next month.
However, the Maori All Blacks are hopeful of luring some of that attention their way with some wins of their own over Andy Farrell’s men.
Doing just that at FMG Stadium Waikato and Sky Stadium would ensure that the Maori All Blacks keep their 134-year unbeaten streak against the men from the Emerald Isle intact for the foreseeable future.
Having won their only two encounters with the European heavyweights in 1888 and 2010, McMillan took the first step to maintain that winning run by unveiling a 28-man squad to take on Ireland on Wednesday.
Among those in the side include discarded All Blacks trio TJ Perenara, Brad Weber and Tyrel Lomax, with Perenara one of 11 players primed to make their first appearances for the Maori All Blacks.
McMillan said in the wake of his squad announcement that the additions of Perenara and Weber are particularly beneficial due to the experience the pair wield as veteran All Blacks halfbacks.
It’s for that reason that both players were considered the highest-profile omissions from the national squad when it was revealed on Monday.
While McMillan noted that Perenara and Weber were “naturally disappointed” to have missed out on the All Blacks, he said they were “highly-motivated” to use the Maori All Blacks as a springboard to force their way back into Ian Foster’s plans.
“I think at the highest levels of the game, experience counts for a lot, and those two have got plenty,” McMillan said.
“They’ll naturally be disappointed to have missed selection for the All Blacks, but this also represents an opportunity for them to get out and still play Ireland and showcase to everybody that they’ve still got the tools to operate at the highest level.”
Both players will be vital in any success the Maori All Blacks enjoy against Ireland, especially given the unavailability of numerous senior figures from previous versions of the squad.
Last year’s tragic death of highly-regarded utility back Sean Wainui has been coupled with the offshore departures of key men such as Ash Dixon, Otere Black and Whetukamokamo Douglas, all of whom McMillan pinpointed as major losses.
Therefore, the contributions of Perenara and Weber as a one-two halfback combination will be crucial if the Maori All Blacks are to come up trumps against the Six Nations juggernauts.
“I’d rate Ash up there as one of the best leaders I’ve been able to work with, and the other guys [Black and Douglas] were very similar,” McMillan said.
“We’ll feel their loss, but that is mitigated somewhat by the injection of some really experienced halfbacks.”
In saying that, McMillan acknowledged that Perenara and Weber, as well as the rest of his squad, must play to their full potential if they are to topple an Irish squad that he expects to pose a variety of threats all across the park.
“We watch a lot of Northern Hemisphere rugby, and in particular Ireland, because everyone’s looking for trends in the game, and the upward trend of the Irish over the last five or six years makes you stand up and take notice,” he said.
“They’re a team that are very structured, they strangle you with their set piece, they want to play rugby in their defensive end, and they’ve got some skilful players who will be able to punish you if they can spend long periods of time there.
“We’ll need to be at our best to beat them, but we’ll certainly have confidence that we can squeeze every ounce of ability out of the guys that have been selected, and we look forward to having a good shake here at Waikato Stadium.”
Just what his side’s best looks like remains to be seen, but McMillan offered a little bit of insight into how the Maori All Blacks might play in an attempt to keep their undefeated record against Ireland unblemished.
“Obviously we’ve got some ideas in mind, but normally we want to stay true to our Maori identity,” he said.
“That’s served the team so well in the past, and that’s playing with a bit of aggression, but also flair and enterprise, a little bit of innovation, so we certainly won’t be looking to take them on at their own game.
“The Maori team have had a great history of getting results against everybody’s expectations, so that’s how we’ll prepare, but we’ll respect the fact that we’re playing one of the best teams in the world.
“Our prep will have to be genuine, and our players will have to be at their best to do that, but we’ve selected what we think is a great squad and one capable of doing that if we play to our potential.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
24 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments