Rugby: Favourites Ireland must avoid being World Cup 'chokers', says Hansen
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Ireland's Johnny Sexton celebrating after Dan Sheehan scores their first try against England in the Six Nations final.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WELLINGTON – Former All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has warned Ireland that they must cope with the pressure of being favourites at the Rugby World Cup to avoid being “chokers” when the tournament kicks off in September.
Hansen was coach when New Zealand won the World Cup in 2015. He was also assistant to Graham Henry when the All Blacks claimed the 2011 title, so he knows what it takes to win the global showpiece.
Ireland underlined their status as the world No. 1 team after beating England 29-16 in Dublin last Saturday and being crowned Six Nations champions.
But Hansen said that Ireland, under English coach Andy Farrell, must handle the pressure of being tagged among the World Cup favourites in France.
“They’re going well, ranked No. 1 in the world, and they’ve had a great year so far,” said the 63-year-old, who will coach a World XV against the Barbarians, headed by former England coach Eddie Jones, at Twickenham in May.
“Every time a team is No. 1 in the world, you’ve got to consider them to be a World Cup contender – but it’s a tough tournament to win.”
Ireland are drawn in the same World Cup pool as reigning champions South Africa, Scotland, Tonga and Romania.
Hansen noted that the Irish have never got past the quarter-finals of a Rugby World Cup.
“So, they’ve seemed to struggle a little bit at World Cups. If it was the All Blacks, they’d probably be called ‘chokers’,” the New Zealander added.
“They’ve come a long way, they believe in themselves. They’re a very good side, so they’re definitely a contender.
“But they’ll have to overcome the pressure of not having gone past the quarter-finals before.
“If they get through to the semi-finals, then they’re in new territory. That’s something they’ll have to deal with that they’ve never dealt with before.”
Ireland secured a first-ever Test series win on New Zealand soil in 2022 by securing back-to-back victories over the All Blacks.
New Zealand’s form had been erratic, but Hansen warned against dismissing the All Blacks at the World Cup.
“Beware an All Black team that’s not considered ‘good enough’ to be winners of the World Cup – because that can come back and bite you.”
Farrell, meanwhile, was pleased with his side’s Six Nations win but is aiming for more improvement ahead of the World Cup.
“What’s very pleasing is that we’re not a side who just kicks the leather off the ball and just goes for territory the whole time,” he said on Sky Sports.
“We’re a side that likes to play some rugby, and territory and possession is pretty important for us and we still find a way how to generate good field position and dominate large parts of games.
“So our game’s in good shape but it’s nowhere near where we want it to be, so that’s a great spot to be in.” AFP
