By Greg Stutchbury
CHRISTCHURCH, June 17 (Reuters) – New Zealand earned their
last-gasp win over Ireland in Christchurch on Saturday by
sticking to the game plan even when the test looked to be
slipping away from them, All Blacks centre Conrad Smith said.
Flyhalf Daniel Carter slotted an 80th minute drop goal to
give the world champions a 22-19 victory after the visitors had
threatened to become the first Irish side to win a test against
the All Blacks.
Trailing 16-10 shortly after halftime, Ireland seized the
momentum by kicking three penalties and holding down territorial
advantage before the All Blacks marched down field in the final
three minutes and set up for the drop kick to seal the win.
“We were a bit relieved. We got the feeling they thought
they were in the hunt and they really stepped up the way they
were playing,” Smith told reporters on Sunday at the team’s
hotel.
“Last year before the World Cup we talked about it a lot,
having nights like that where you’re under pressure and the last
thing you want to do is … change your game plan.
“You just stick with what you’re doing and even though you
know it’s not quite coming off, you know it will get you through
if you stick together.”
Smith said the match had hammered home the intensity of
tests and that the experience would help younger players in the
squad prepare for the third match in Hamilton on June 23.
“This was a real test match and it was important to learn
(that) and still have a win,” he added.
Continued…
