Ireland legend Ronan O'Gara still believes that Ireland can win a test in New Zealand, despite suffering a 23 point hammering at the hands of The All Blacks at Eden Park this morning.
Despite the embarrassing defeat, the La Rochelle head coach still feels Ireland are capable of causing a shock over the next couple of weeks. However, the Munster icon stressed that simple mistakes have to be eradicated from the Irish performance.
"As lopsided as the scoreline is, I still think on Monday morning you start at zero, and if Ireland receive some good messages from that, I still think and many people think I’m crazy, that Ireland can win a test," said O'Gara, who was working as a pundit for Sky Sports this morning.
READ MORE:New Zealand v Ireland score recap and result
"I think there were some good lessons, I think that 11 minute period you can’t concede, concede and triple concede because that’s game over.
"You look at the scoreline at 7-5 and Ireland 15 metres from the New Zealand line, it becomes a 14 point game
"Kick-off reception they score again, and then they score again. That’s what happens when you’re under pressure in New Zealand."
O'Gara also warned that New Zealand will get better as the series continues, and feels they weren't anywhere near the best version of themselves today. However, the Heineken cup winning coach feels Ireland can make some a change to give themselves a better chance. And that change, is to hold onto the ball with a bit more care.
"For Ireland they have to understand that forcing the passes in the URC or in Europe leads to a turnover.
"Forcing a pass against New Zealand at Eden Park leads to under the sticks.
"After this weekend, they’ll understand that the ball is very, very precious."
This mornings chastening defeat has many fearing the worst for the next two test matches to come in the space of 14 days. However, Ireland's record points scorer still feels that New Zealand can be got at in certain areas.
"As coaches, you set up for stopping teams in the first two collisions. If you don’t win the first two collisions in test rugby you’re going to be on the back foot all day.
"But if you can actually stop the flow of the New Zealand team in the first two collisions, essentially off slow ball they can only really kick it because they’re going to be running into a brick wall.
"Once you analyse it you could see opportunities in attack for Ireland if they can get the ball beyond the kinda seventh or eighth defender for New Zealand they press hard there.
"There’s a lot of space there. So for Ireland, I think that’s an area they’ll go after New Zealand next week.
"It sounds ludicrous with a 21 point difference, but in the modern game it can change
"But you can’t beat yourself either."
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