This is an interesting theory.
New Zealand appear to be still coming to terms with the surprise defeat to Ireland in Chicago last Saturday.
The world champions lost 40-29 to Joe Schmidt’s team at Soldier Field, their first defeat in 18 games and their first loss to Ireland in 29 games, a streak stretching back 111 years.
The All Blacks, their supporters and the country’s media still seem stunned by the result, but one New Zealand native isn’t as surprised as his compatriots.
“I’m not surprised at all (about the Chicago result). It comes down to the structure and everyone doing their bit” Pat Lam said on radio in New Zealand.
“One of the lessons from the review of the last (full) World Cup was the need to build depth. Joe has done that.”
“I was actually on a live TV panel here and they asked me before the game if I thought Ireland had a chance. I said yes because I knew Joe would have a plan.”
The Connacht coach’s lack of surprise relates to his experience of working in Ireland for the past three years.
Lam claims that Irish rugby has attempted to “mirror” the structure of New Zealand rugby, and due to the strong Kiwi influence within Irish rugby, the national team is now able to compete with the All Blacks.
“There was already a big Kiwi influence here when I first arrived here,” said Lam.
“Joe had obviously had big success at Leinster in changing their mindset, Rob Penney was at Munster, Mark Anscombe was at Ulster and then I arrived and picked up the west of Ireland.
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“One of the things that they looked at when they looked at New Zealand was what grows the game, and accepting that it is the All Blacks being successful because it funds the game and inspires kids around the country.
“Over here, there are still traditional people who want the Leinsters and Munsters to be number one but the reality is you can’t beat the English and French clubs with their big owners. And we are centrally contracted by the Irish RFU so there does need to be a focus on that national team.”
Lam also isn’t surprised that New Zealand fans weren’t too bitter about the result, and the general reaction to the loss speaks to a warm relationship between the two countries.
“There’s a strong connection between New Zealand and Ireland and it’s great.”
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