Ireland defence coach Easterby - 'No bigger game than New Zealand in a RWC quarter-final'
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Simon Easterby, defence coach
On his reflections on the win over Scotland:
“We were certainly delighted with the way we started the game. It couldn't have gone any better in terms of getting an early score. We knew that Scotland would throw everything at us and they did that early on in the game. But we managed their attack with our defence and when we had opportunities, we were pretty clinical.
“Certainly the first 40 minutes was really good and really pleasing. The game broke up a bit in the second half. We had to make a few changes and had guys playing out of position, as did they. Inevitably with a high ball-in-play time, the game did break up a bit but the work we had done in that first half set a brilliant foundation for the result.”
On any update to injuries to Mack Hansen (HIA), James Ryan (wrist) and James Lowe (eye):
“It is difficult to say at the moment, just 12 hours after the game. It's mad with these late kick-offs, we're getting used to them but it takes a bit of time for some injuries to settle and be assessed.
“It will be the next 24 to 48 hours when we will be able to get a better read on those guys. Everyone is in good form today but there will be a bit of work going on to assess those guys who had bumps.”
On the players’ conditioning as they go into a quarter-final:
“Their conditioning is good; I don't think that is an issue. We want to play we play with speed of ball and keep the ball alive but we also need to manage the game and have balance to the way we play. That's something we will have a look at over the next couple of days, making sure that when we get opportunities like we did against Scotland, but we also need to play in the right areas of the pitch and manage our energy so that when we have opportunities, we can be right on point.”
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On enjoying their defensive prowess against Scotland:
“It has been said before but I think this team understands how important defence is to the overall success of the team. We work incredibly hard on being disciplined and not giving sides any access. Credit to the players for the way they go about their business.
“You can sense the feeling of excitement when the opposition have the ball. There is a chance for us to put a stop to their attack and take energy away from them. We saw that in the first half when they had long periods of possession but the discipline was good and they didn't give a huge amount of gain-line against us. The players understand the value of defence - what it gives us as a team and what it gives to the attack on the back of it.”
On number eight Caelan Doris, who made 22 tackles and 12 carries:
“Caelan was brilliant again as he has been for the last couple of years. He's really grown and matured. For those guys around him it was a real collective effort the way we attacked and defended. He's been excellent but you can only be as good as those guys around you. The support and collectiveness of the group allows players like Caelan to play the way he does.”
On whether New Zealand will be different to the side they faced a test series in July 2022:
“I guess they will be fairly similar personnel-wise. As much as we won that series, there was very little between the two teams. We are similar in personnel as well so there won't be a huge amount of change from that team we played, even the team we played in the November before that. They've been pretty consistent in their selection over the last four years, as have we, so I don't think there is a huge amount of change in terms of what we’re up against.”
On whether he will be in touch with New Zealand assistant coach Joe Schmidt this week:
“I don't think I will be making contact. It is one of those things, you spend a lot of time with people for a period of time. But this week we'll be focusing on ourselves and making sure we can do what we do. Then we will catch up with Joe and Feeky [Greg Feek] and the rest of their coaching group after the game.”
On the benefits of playing again at the Stade de France:
“It has allowed us to build some continuity and unfamiliarity. We have been very fortunate playing there over the last couple of weeks with the incredible amount of Irish supporters. That is not lost on the players. Even running out an hour before kick-off, there is a lot of green in there.
“It has been fantastic. Is not lost on the players the amount of time and effort people have gone to to get to Paris. The players are really excited about keeping them going and making sure they have something to enjoy and get singing about. That certainly helps us as a team to build momentum throughout the game.”
On the flashpoint early in the second half when all the players came together:
“These things happen. There was a similar incident in the Wales v Georgia game. It is important we don’t take a backward step but it is also important that we are disciplined and don't give an opportunity for a team to get under our skin or put us off our game. I think we did that really well.
“On the whole there was a lot of respect between the two teams in terms of the exchanges. Sometimes things happen in the game and there's a bit of hot-headedness from either team but I think we dealt with it very well and the referee dealt with it pretty well.”
On whether Dan Sheehan is OK after being taken over the advertising hoardings:
“I think he is OK. I think he got saved by Mick Kearney, our team manager. I think Mick would have stepped in if anything had kicked off!”
On the growing influence of former Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt on the All Blacks:
“I am sure Joe's influence has certainly increased over the past 12 months but we have got to be excited about playing the standard bearers of the World Cup. New Zealand have always turned up for World Cups and we have seen how they have dealt with a bit of adversity after their warm-up game against South Africa.
“The opening game against France could have gone either way. They have built nicely over the last couple of weeks in terms of performances and the way they want to play. Joe will know plenty about what we’re about and individuals in our group. But we also have an insight into what they might try to do. It is finely balanced and it is an interesting subplot to the game itself.”
On the change of mentality since their 2019 quarter-final defeat by New Zealand:
“We have experienced so much in the last four years. Those guys who played in 2019 will have gained experience and understanding around different parts of the game, how to approach big games and how to adapt in games. But also the fresh blood that has come in since 2019 has had unbelievable experiences over the last couple of years.
“Part of what Faz [head coach Andy Farrell] wanted to do was stress the players, put them in those situations so they have got that bank of experience and understanding to draw from when it comes to these big games. There is no bigger game than playing New Zealand in a World Cup quarter-final. We have been there before and we were well beaten on that day. There were lots of good learning from 2019, even though it was a different coaching group and different team . There are lots of similarities to their team and ours. That game will undoubtedly be an important factor in the game on Saturday.”
On the prospects of a New Zealand backlash after their series defeat last year:
“Of course, that series would have hurt them to lose at home against us. We're just trying to focus on what we can do really well and on the whole we did that last night. There are parts of our game we can get better at. Conceding a couple of tries late on was disappointing but the lads put in an incredible shift, and we also missed a few chances to score some more points.
“What happened last summer is probably still in the back of their minds - it is only human nature that would be the case. But Saturday is a different environment, a totally different game at a neutral venue, and we're going to have to be right on top of our game to beat that New Zealand team.”
On Robbie Henshaw and Keith Earls:
“Robbie did some running at the captain’s run. They will both be running today and progressing into training on Monday and Tuesday. It is a bit early to say either way. But if they are injured, Jimmy [O’Brien] been waiting in the wings. He did an incredible job last November with a couple of late call-ups and came off the bench and did incredibly well.
“There’s certainly no issue with Jimmy if he gets an opportunity. Hopefully we will have a full deck to select from come Tuesday or Wednesday.
“Keith Earls has a slight hamstring issue. At a push he could have been involved this weekend but we felt it wasn't the right time to risk it. We're really pleased it was flagged when it was and we had the opportunity to make the call early enough. Fingers crossed he is fully fit for this week.”
