Maori coach Jamie Joseph has revealed how he and his side will be fearful of a backlash from the Irish after their humbling 66-28 defeat at the hands of the All Blacks.
The teams go up against each other at Rotorua’s International Stadium tomorrow in what will be the Maori’s 100th anniversary of their first game.
“I’d say they’ll be hurting and we’ll get it,” said Joseph. “I would be hurting after that, and usually when teams are hurting, it brings the best out of them. It will be huge. Both teams are playing for the pride of their people.”
He told the Irish Independent, “I’ve played against Ireland myself and I know how passionate they are as a rugby team and a rugby nation.
“The guys are aware of that, and if they’re not, they will be by tonight, and if they’re still not, they’ll be made aware of it in the first five minutes.”
