So last week I was happy to support New Zealand when they played England, and as it happens, won in a tight game that really England should have won.
This week the All Blacks play Ireland. Assessment of the merits of each time probably give Ireland the edge in the contest.
But emotionally who do I want to win. With me drifting more to my father’s origins maybe it is less easy to support the ABs this weekend.
At the same time I still evoke the ‘I’m too old to invest too much emotion in these things’ mantra.
Ireland can repeat Chicago win over New Zealand, says Rory Best
• Joe Schmidt’s side beat All Blacks in the US in 2016
• Captain Best says injuries will not have big impact
• Captain Best says injuries will not have big impact
Ireland players celebrate the win over New Zealand in Chicago. Photograph: Phil Walter/Getty Images
Rory Best is confident Ireland can repeat their history-making efforts in Chicago by claiming a maiden win over New Zealand on home soil despite suffering more late injury dramas.
Already without the Lions flanker Sean O’Brien, who broke his arm against Argentina last week, Ireland suffered another major setback on the eve of the match with the loose forward Dan Leavy ruled out. Leavy’s absence adds to a growing injury list which includes O’Brien, the influential half-back Conor Murray and Robbie Henshaw.
