Ireland’s forward coach Gert Smal urges pack to attack the All Blacks
Ireland’s forward coach Gert Smal has suggested that Ireland must attack the All Blacks up front, if they are to stand any chance of beating the world’s number one side in their Test match on Saturday 20 November.
The South African born Smal believes Ireland must up their game and prepare to put their bodies on the line, if they are to defeat New Zealand.
Speaking at a press conference, Smal said, "To beat the All Blacks you have to be on top of your game. You have to go and fetch it in some places where you have never been before. That is what it takes to beat the All Blacks."
New Zealand beat England 26-16 and thrashed Scotland 49-3 in their first two matches of the Autumn Internationals.
Ireland have never beaten the All Blacks, and have been criticised by the media for poor performances in their 23-21 defeat to South Africa and their 20-10 win over Samoa.
As a result, New Zealand will be massive favourites going into the Test, but Smal believes Ireland will be up to the challenge of competing against the All Blacks.
"Playing against the number one team in the world there will be plenty of motivation. The players will also back themselves and there is a lot confidence that we can take them on."
The forwards coach dismissed suggestions that Ireland were lacking in confidence and said, "This is just my personal experience, but there is a lot of negativity around the team at the moment and a lot of things being said about their confidence, but I really
don’t feel it being in the team environment."
Smal defended the Irish team’s performances in the Autumn Internationals and thinks that Ireland may use this siege mentality as a further motivation.
"This is where composure comes into it, because what you don’t want to have is too much fear and you don’t want to have too much confidence, so you have to get that balance."
Tags: