All Blacks winger Zac Guildford says he’s expecting an aerial barrage from Ireland if he starts Saturday’s first Test at Eden Park.
Guildford, called into the wider training squad after Richard Kahui’s injury, has impressed in recent weeks for the Crusaders and is in the running to earn a starting spot for the All Blacks.
If he does, he expects a stern test of his ability under the high ball from what he’s seen of the Irish on video.
“I had a little look at them on Monday and, by the looks of things, they’ve got a pretty dangerous back three and their midfield’s played a lot together,” he said.
“I can see they like to put a bit of snow on the ball so we’ll be tested with those contestables and that’s one thing we’ll have to nail during the week.”
Guildford has played most of his career on the left wing but a New Zealand Herald report on Wednesday says he’s in line to start on the right wing, which none of the All Blacks squad specialises in.
However, he wasn’t giving much away to media about his prospects of starting.
“We’ve got three left wingers (Hosea Gear, Julian Savea and him) and some guys that can also play there as well, the likes of Ben Smith and Tamati Ellison,” he said.
“There’s a lot of competition. Having said that, I’m sure any one of us could play on the right wing if given the opportunity.”
Guildford wouldn’t say much about how tactics might change in the first Test with Steve Hansen as head coach but hoped they would be appealing to the fans.
“I can’t really elaborate too much, because that would be telling people that don’t need to know, but I think it will give us a chance to play a bit more exciting rugby and I’m looking forward to it.”