Ireland returns to New Zealand for the first time since their shock 2022 series win over the All Blacks, to try and break their 52-match unbeaten run at Eden Park.
Ahead of kickoff between the two unbeaten Nations Championship sides, Adam Cooper put in a call to Dublin to catch up with staunch Irish rugby fan Mark Fitzgerald.
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Two pass here on the Allsport Breakfast on News Dog
z B. Let's continue our countdown to the test tonight
at Eden Park, where you've heard how the All Blacks
are gearing up for this one. Tyra Lomax speaking just before,
But I thought we should put a call into Ireland
because well, this rivalry the All Blacks in Ireland have,
it's up there with the best in world rugby. They're
one of our favorite opponents, and I think it's fair
(00:25):
to say I'm pretty sure we're one of their favorite
opponents as well. So I thought we'd put a call
into a very good friend of mine, someone that is
one of the biggest Irish rugby fans I know. All
the way over in Dublin, Mark Fitzgerald is with us. Mark,
very good morning to you from here in New Zealand.
Good evening over there in Dublin. Right, both teams having
winning starts to this nation's championship campaign. You guys got
(00:48):
things underway with a very tense come from behind win
over the Wallabies to start things off. Then obviously success
in Japan last week as well. All Blacks are winning
as well, So just in general, how excited are you?
What lies a hit at Aden Park tonight.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Yeah, thanks for having me on Adam. And then yeah,
I suppose the first match was it was obviously against Australia,
and we had a lot of injuries. Like our captain
Darris obviously was announced just before we left, but he
wasn't going to go, so she and was the captain.
So there's a few kind of niggally injuries that we've
had all year. And then they kind of you can
see against Australia that you know, they're coming off the
(01:26):
back of a long season with the Lions and the clubs,
and then it kind of took them a while to
get going, like Australia blew us away in the first
half and then in the second half we kind of
grinded it out, probably probably didn't really deserve to win
if you look back at the match. But I suppose
the RC mounder Andy Farrell just be kind of come
a machine of knowing how to win and ekeing out
those important wins. And then obviously last week against Japan,
(01:47):
it was a kind of different change team. Wasn't a
great performance, especially the line out, But yeah, I suppose
we're too from two. But the whole atmosphere in Ireland
has always been like as a fan and you can
see with the punlits and the players like the big
the big of this probably of the whole nations called
for annie of the countries, this is probably the biggest
opening in the opening round, the biggest game, I.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Suppose totally agree. We're looking forward to it too. Now
Here in New Zealand, we know how much of a
threat to the Irish were. I think, let's say three
or four years ago. You came down, gave us a
bit of a scare, took out that series on our
home turf in twenty twenty two. Yeah, it was said
night here in Wellington for that one. Obviously, the twenty
twenty three World Cup in the playoffs, that was one
of the great games of that tournament. The All Blacks
just snuck through the sins. Here though, Marcus that Ireland
(02:30):
has fallen slightly back from that peak era of twenty
twenty two and twenty twenty three, is that fair?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Yeah? I think so. I think so. Obviously, the biggest
probably the probably the biggest thing in Ireland is like
they don't really have a settle that ten since Saxon's
gone and Prano. Gast has come in on Jack Crowley,
like Jack Crowley obviously War of Six Nations in his
first year and then after the year after that they
gave Predigast the keys on there. Yeah, he's obviously very
(02:58):
good in a tack, but there's been a lot of
a lot of questions over his defense and stuff. So
I suppose not really having that playmaker at ten is huge.
And then you can just see the teams getting older
as well, like people like Pikes for long, you know,
it's kind of been one of the best props in
world rugby for a long time. He's probably over the
hill at this stage. Yeah, they're obviously they've fallen off
a bit, and obviously you think So Africa would be
(03:19):
a go bit ahead of them now and I think
you guys would be a little bit ahead of us.
But like like that, anyone can win on a given day,
you know, so fancy our chances a little bit against you.
Maybe it was in Wellington, but even Parker, I suppose
you haven't lost since ninety four, so it's going to
be tough to do it.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Fifty two tists and thirty two years. Sounds like you
guys are up for the challenge though, Yeah, yeah, crazy
well that right around the world though, it seems that
teams are developing some real clear, new open styles of
rugby quick ball creating space. The All Blacks obviously indicated
this year that that's a game they want to play.
We saw a bit of that from various teams in
the Six Nations this year as well, but it seems
(03:54):
rugby in general is hitting that way consistently around the globe.
What about Irelands? Do you get the sets there going
to be adopting a game like that that they probably
traditionally haven't.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
I think I think they are to some extent. They're
definitely a little bit slower, a little bit slower to
adapt to that than than other teams. And you know,
we still rely a lot on our breakdown on forward play,
probably because like we don't have that ten yet, Like
they haven't really settled into a position. But therefore they're
definitely running more than you would have seen. But in
(04:27):
terms of like we're fairly blessed to have and give
some park because he, like with Prendergas, not really been
that experience yet. Everything kind of goes through him, so
be interesting to see him versus roy guard tomorrow and
they're kind of two. They're probably like the second best
and third best nine in the world, whichever way you
want to put it at A DuPont's probably won, so
(04:48):
it would be a good battle now tomorrow within the
two of them.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Yeah, you mention Gibson Park there. You've had James Lowe
being a real influential player for Ireland over the last
few years as well said no longer than the but
you do rely on if a few Kiwi players to
get the job done for you, don't you.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, we do. Yeah, yeah, it's pretty We couldn't get
a Geordy barr to stay on longer in Leinster, but
we got Rico this year and the one of your
c title first. Anyway, after all of after all the
stuff we've done to section, we forgive them.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
That's got that's kind of you, that's kind of you.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Now.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Rico was training with the All Blacks this past week,
probably giving a fair bit of insight into what to
expect after his time over the year. What is though,
you know with him, you know Jordy Barrett, what is
the general relationship you feel between the New Zealand and
Irish rugby scenes? You know, the dual deschelity that many
of these players have to be able to represent the
Irish obviously these Zealand sabbaticals over the too. There's plenty
of connections, isn't there.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Yeah, you know, like it's always been like we were
growing up, we were all wearing all black jerseys, like
it was always the team and like like even now
like it's it's it's more of a it's just more
of a sporting rivalry, like I think the rivalry between
US and South Africa is a bit more bitter. But like, yeah,
like the Kiwis are loved over here, especially when we
get the players over Like you look at Bundy as well,
(05:58):
Like Bundy's on the bench tomorrow if give some park.
We have Johnson there as well, the number eight and
his place. He went well last week, so he's getting
going to probably come on against you guys tomorrow. He's
playing for Connach. So like we always kind of have
to oversee players, but it seems to be that we
always have a better connection with the Kiwi players and
from from what we're here and here in Lancter, there's
a lot of talk of body Barrett potentially come to
(06:21):
Lancer in after the World Cup, probably because of gelready
been here and his dad Smiley on all the contacts
date they would have had in Leinster when they lived
there years ago.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Wow, that'd be huge wedding up for everyone over there.
Boden Barrett heading to Leinster I will be.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Amazing, Yeah, be incredible. He's probably the best player ever
in my opinion, one of them money.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Yeah, right, the game itself. What do you think you
guys need to do to give yourselves a chance to win?
I think Dave Reenie's loose forward changes have been the
most significant part of the team naming this week. To
provide hitting, to provide a bit of extra heighten the
loose forwards. Is that a sign of where you think
the game could be one or lost? In the trio?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
There? Yeah, I think I think we've probably got a slow,
slowly game down. Like you guys obviously live off broken play,
Like you can see what those Will Jordan tries they
scored against us the last few times. But yeah, like there,
he's obviously picked twop of y in the back row
to go after our line out because their lineout hasn't
been great at all. Our set piece has been struggling
scrum wise, also because there we have a prop crisis.
(07:19):
Obviously we're into I think we're into our fourth injured
and loose out props, so we're actually Tomo tools. Playing
tomorrow is actually usually a tight head and so I
think if we hold our if we if we hold
our own in the in the set piece play, I
think it's anybody's game. And I can probably see us
targeting McKenzie a full back, just because Battlecan and Jimmy O'Brien,
he Go Keenan are great in the air, So I'd
(07:39):
say give some parks, probably gonna pepper him with a
high balls.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Yeah, so many aspects of the game that'll be great.
It'll be what eight a m. Saturday morning kickoff time
for you guys over there? What happens to the pubs
open nice and early for for a game like this?
Speaker 2 (07:51):
They're doing these yet you can there and get your
full Irish breakfast in your points.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Again us very good and knowing you you're beginning amongst that.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Absolutely, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
What should we put a cow full of Guinnesses on
the line then back our respective teams? What do you
reckon's going to happen?
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Yeah, yeah, let's do it, let's do it. I'm going
to say I'm gonna say Ireland by four.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Okay, I'm gonna be a bit more confident and say,
I don't know, all Blacks by eight, so a pretty
tight game. There you go.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Okay, that's it.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Lock it in. Great to catch up, Mark, enjoy the
match over there Saturday morning, your time and h and
made the best team win. Go well, great to catch up.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Cheers that on homes All the best.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Mark Fitzgerald's giving an Irish fans perspective all the way
from Dublin.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
For more from News Talks at b Listen live on
air or online, and
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Keep our shows with you wherever you go with our
podcast on iHeartRadio
Two pass here on the Allsport Breakfast on News Dog
z B. Let's continue our countdown to the test tonight
at Eden Park, where you've heard how the All Blacks
are gearing up for this one. Tyra Lomax speaking just before,
But I thought we should put a call into Ireland
because well, this rivalry the All Blacks in Ireland have,
it's up there with the best in world rugby. They're
one of our favorite opponents, and I think it's fair
(00:25):
to say I'm pretty sure we're one of their favorite
opponents as well. So I thought we'd put a call
into a very good friend of mine, someone that is
one of the biggest Irish rugby fans I know. All
the way over in Dublin, Mark Fitzgerald is with us. Mark,
very good morning to you from here in New Zealand.
Good evening over there in Dublin. Right, both teams having
winning starts to this nation's championship campaign. You guys got
(00:48):
things underway with a very tense come from behind win
over the Wallabies to start things off. Then obviously success
in Japan last week as well. All Blacks are winning
as well, So just in general, how excited are you?
What lies a hit at Aden Park tonight.
Speaker 2 (01:03):
Yeah, thanks for having me on Adam. And then yeah,
I suppose the first match was it was obviously against Australia,
and we had a lot of injuries. Like our captain
Darris obviously was announced just before we left, but he
wasn't going to go, so she and was the captain.
So there's a few kind of niggally injuries that we've
had all year. And then they kind of you can
see against Australia that you know, they're coming off the
(01:26):
back of a long season with the Lions and the clubs,
and then it kind of took them a while to
get going, like Australia blew us away in the first
half and then in the second half we kind of
grinded it out, probably probably didn't really deserve to win
if you look back at the match. But I suppose
the RC mounder Andy Farrell just be kind of come
a machine of knowing how to win and ekeing out
those important wins. And then obviously last week against Japan,
(01:47):
it was a kind of different change team. Wasn't a
great performance, especially the line out, But yeah, I suppose
we're too from two. But the whole atmosphere in Ireland
has always been like as a fan and you can
see with the punlits and the players like the big
the big of this probably of the whole nations called
for annie of the countries, this is probably the biggest
opening in the opening round, the biggest game, I.
Speaker 1 (02:06):
Suppose totally agree. We're looking forward to it too. Now
Here in New Zealand, we know how much of a
threat to the Irish were. I think, let's say three
or four years ago. You came down, gave us a
bit of a scare, took out that series on our
home turf in twenty twenty two. Yeah, it was said
night here in Wellington for that one. Obviously, the twenty
twenty three World Cup in the playoffs, that was one
of the great games of that tournament. The All Blacks
just snuck through the sins. Here though, Marcus that Ireland
(02:30):
has fallen slightly back from that peak era of twenty
twenty two and twenty twenty three, is that fair?
Speaker 2 (02:38):
Yeah? I think so. I think so. Obviously, the biggest
probably the probably the biggest thing in Ireland is like
they don't really have a settle that ten since Saxon's
gone and Prano. Gast has come in on Jack Crowley,
like Jack Crowley obviously War of Six Nations in his
first year and then after the year after that they
gave Predigast the keys on there. Yeah, he's obviously very
(02:58):
good in a tack, but there's been a lot of
a lot of questions over his defense and stuff. So
I suppose not really having that playmaker at ten is huge.
And then you can just see the teams getting older
as well, like people like Pikes for long, you know,
it's kind of been one of the best props in
world rugby for a long time. He's probably over the
hill at this stage. Yeah, they're obviously they've fallen off
a bit, and obviously you think So Africa would be
(03:19):
a go bit ahead of them now and I think
you guys would be a little bit ahead of us.
But like like that, anyone can win on a given day,
you know, so fancy our chances a little bit against you.
Maybe it was in Wellington, but even Parker, I suppose
you haven't lost since ninety four, so it's going to
be tough to do it.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Fifty two tists and thirty two years. Sounds like you
guys are up for the challenge though, Yeah, yeah, crazy
well that right around the world though, it seems that
teams are developing some real clear, new open styles of
rugby quick ball creating space. The All Blacks obviously indicated
this year that that's a game they want to play.
We saw a bit of that from various teams in
the Six Nations this year as well, but it seems
(03:54):
rugby in general is hitting that way consistently around the globe.
What about Irelands? Do you get the sets there going
to be adopting a game like that that they probably
traditionally haven't.
Speaker 2 (04:04):
I think I think they are to some extent. They're
definitely a little bit slower, a little bit slower to
adapt to that than than other teams. And you know,
we still rely a lot on our breakdown on forward play,
probably because like we don't have that ten yet, Like
they haven't really settled into a position. But therefore they're
definitely running more than you would have seen. But in
(04:27):
terms of like we're fairly blessed to have and give
some park because he, like with Prendergas, not really been
that experience yet. Everything kind of goes through him, so
be interesting to see him versus roy guard tomorrow and
they're kind of two. They're probably like the second best
and third best nine in the world, whichever way you
want to put it at A DuPont's probably won, so
(04:48):
it would be a good battle now tomorrow within the
two of them.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Yeah, you mention Gibson Park there. You've had James Lowe
being a real influential player for Ireland over the last
few years as well said no longer than the but
you do rely on if a few Kiwi players to
get the job done for you, don't you.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, we do. Yeah, yeah, it's pretty We couldn't get
a Geordy barr to stay on longer in Leinster, but
we got Rico this year and the one of your
c title first. Anyway, after all of after all the
stuff we've done to section, we forgive them.
Speaker 1 (05:15):
That's got that's kind of you, that's kind of you.
Speaker 2 (05:16):
Now.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
Rico was training with the All Blacks this past week,
probably giving a fair bit of insight into what to
expect after his time over the year. What is though,
you know with him, you know Jordy Barrett, what is
the general relationship you feel between the New Zealand and
Irish rugby scenes? You know, the dual deschelity that many
of these players have to be able to represent the
Irish obviously these Zealand sabbaticals over the too. There's plenty
of connections, isn't there.
Speaker 2 (05:38):
Yeah, you know, like it's always been like we were
growing up, we were all wearing all black jerseys, like
it was always the team and like like even now
like it's it's it's more of a it's just more
of a sporting rivalry, like I think the rivalry between
US and South Africa is a bit more bitter. But like, yeah,
like the Kiwis are loved over here, especially when we
get the players over Like you look at Bundy as well,
(05:58):
Like Bundy's on the bench tomorrow if give some park.
We have Johnson there as well, the number eight and
his place. He went well last week, so he's getting
going to probably come on against you guys tomorrow. He's
playing for Connach. So like we always kind of have
to oversee players, but it seems to be that we
always have a better connection with the Kiwi players and
from from what we're here and here in Lancter, there's
a lot of talk of body Barrett potentially come to
(06:21):
Lancer in after the World Cup, probably because of gelready
been here and his dad Smiley on all the contacts
date they would have had in Leinster when they lived
there years ago.
Speaker 1 (06:31):
Wow, that'd be huge wedding up for everyone over there.
Boden Barrett heading to Leinster I will be.
Speaker 2 (06:35):
Amazing, Yeah, be incredible. He's probably the best player ever
in my opinion, one of them money.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Yeah, right, the game itself. What do you think you
guys need to do to give yourselves a chance to win?
I think Dave Reenie's loose forward changes have been the
most significant part of the team naming this week. To
provide hitting, to provide a bit of extra heighten the
loose forwards. Is that a sign of where you think
the game could be one or lost? In the trio?
Speaker 2 (06:56):
There? Yeah, I think I think we've probably got a slow,
slowly game down. Like you guys obviously live off broken play,
Like you can see what those Will Jordan tries they
scored against us the last few times. But yeah, like there,
he's obviously picked twop of y in the back row
to go after our line out because their lineout hasn't
been great at all. Our set piece has been struggling
scrum wise, also because there we have a prop crisis.
(07:19):
Obviously we're into I think we're into our fourth injured
and loose out props, so we're actually Tomo tools. Playing
tomorrow is actually usually a tight head and so I
think if we hold our if we if we hold
our own in the in the set piece play, I
think it's anybody's game. And I can probably see us
targeting McKenzie a full back, just because Battlecan and Jimmy O'Brien,
he Go Keenan are great in the air, So I'd
(07:39):
say give some parks, probably gonna pepper him with a
high balls.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Yeah, so many aspects of the game that'll be great.
It'll be what eight a m. Saturday morning kickoff time
for you guys over there? What happens to the pubs
open nice and early for for a game like this?
Speaker 2 (07:51):
They're doing these yet you can there and get your
full Irish breakfast in your points.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
Again us very good and knowing you you're beginning amongst that.
Speaker 2 (07:58):
Absolutely, Yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1 (07:59):
What should we put a cow full of Guinnesses on
the line then back our respective teams? What do you
reckon's going to happen?
Speaker 2 (08:03):
Yeah, yeah, let's do it, let's do it. I'm going
to say I'm gonna say Ireland by four.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
Okay, I'm gonna be a bit more confident and say,
I don't know, all Blacks by eight, so a pretty
tight game. There you go.
Speaker 2 (08:14):
Okay, that's it.
Speaker 1 (08:15):
Lock it in. Great to catch up, Mark, enjoy the
match over there Saturday morning, your time and h and
made the best team win. Go well, great to catch up.
Speaker 2 (08:22):
Cheers that on homes All the best.
Speaker 1 (08:25):
Mark Fitzgerald's giving an Irish fans perspective all the way
from Dublin.
Speaker 2 (08:29):
For more from News Talks at b Listen live on
air or online, and
Speaker 1 (08:33):
Keep our shows with you wherever you go with our
podcast on iHeartRadio
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