All Blacks v Ireland: Why Andy Farrell turned to Warriors ahead of Eden Park showdown
Ireland rugby coach Andy Farrell collaborated with the New Zealand Warriors rugby league team during preparations for a match against the All Blacks. The visit allowed Farrell to reconnect with his rugby league roots and share coaching insights.
Why it matters
It highlights the cross-pollination of coaching strategies and cultural connections between different rugby codes.
Ireland coach Andy Farrell has crossed codes to enlist some help from a club close to his heart as part of his preparations for Saturday’s clash with the All Blacks at Eden Park.
Farrell and his coaching staff welcomed Warriors coach Andrew Webster , along with his assistant and Kiwis coach Stacey Jones, to Ireland’s training session on Tuesday before returning the favour with a visit to Go Media Stadium on Wednesday.
For Farrell, it was more than just a chance to observe one of the NRL’s form teams. The visit rekindled memories of his rugby league career, with many of the people who shaped his early years at Wigan later becoming key figures in the Warriors’ foundation.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in