Irish Display May Force Farrell Into Shake-Up

For the first time since France left Dublin victorious in the 2021 Six Nations, Ireland’s players greeted full-time at Aviva Stadium with bowed heads and hands on hips as New Zealand celebrated a 23-13 win.

Andy Farrell admitted losing at home was a “funny old feeling”. He can only hope it is an aberration and not a portent for a grim autumn campaign before his secondment with the British and Irish Lions.

That it was New Zealand who ended Ireland’s 19-game unbeaten run at home will only deepen Irish dejection.

In that France game, played in an empty stadium during the Covid pandemic, Ireland were at least spared the ignominy of defeat in front of their own fans.

It was a different story here, however, as the home supporters headed for the exits even before Damian McKenzie booted the ball into the crowd to seal the All Blacks’ first win on Irish soil since 2016.

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But Farrell’s selection issues extend beyond fly-half.

He may feel the need to reintroduce Ryan Baird and Craig Casey, who were unlucky to miss out on the matchday squad, while Calvin Nash – who ably deputised for the injured Mack Hansen in the Six Nations – will be itching for another chance.

“There were a lot of question marks with some of the bench picks,”
observed 2009 Grand Slam winner Bowe.

“The likes of Cian Healy, who has 130 caps, Tom O’Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray.

Is it time to give an opportunity to the young guys to try and take this team on to the next World Cup?”

This was Ireland’s third defeat in five games, after losses away to England and South Africa.

But it was also their most puzzling and ineffective performance.

That is what will concern Farrell the most. And that is why he may feel the need for a shake-up before Argentine come to town.

Farrell need to rearrange him self because is shameful to loss in front of fans i understand there’s no champion forever but at least he need to adjust him self” said Jamiu Ogunshe.

BBC/Jamiu Ogunshe