Scott Robertson, the All Blacks head coach, has opened up about his time spent in Ireland during the early days of his playing career.
Robertson, a former player turned coach, will lead the three-time World Cup winners into battle for the clash against Ireland tomorrow night.
The topic of Irish heritage or time spent in Ireland always comes up in press conferences when it comes to sport. Former Liverpool manager Xabi Alonso was asked about his time spent in Ireland as a kid when his side visited Dublin for the Europa League final last year. Robertson was asked likewise about his time spent in Ireland as a young man.
A then 18-year-old Robertson played for Ards RFC in County Down in 1993. He explained how his time in Ireland came to be:
"We were on holiday in New Zealand and stayed with a guy who'd come over on a teacher exchange to Bangor Grammar," said Roberston to the 42
"He said to us that there was a lad at the school that he was working in who'd love to come and play rugby in Ireland. We went to meet his parents and found he was dead keen, so we made arrangements for him to stay with us."
Robertson ended up staying with a host family in Greyabbey. One of the occupants was David Heron, who was the president of Ards RFC at the time and remains a member to this day.
Still grateful to this day, the All Blacks coach also thanked everyone involved for helping him grow into the man he has become today:
“Oh, it’s a bit emotional, actually. There’s a family there that I lived with when I was a young fella, the Herons, he added.
“It was a great moment for me growing up, and this is a proper chance for me now publicly to thank them for how they helped shape me. It was a great time in my life, and it will be good to see them.”
Ireland's game against New Zealand begins at 8:10 p.m. tomorrow night.
After the New Zealand tie, Ireland will face Argentina at the Aviva Stadium on Friday, November 15, followed by Fiji on Saturday, November 23, and conclude with a match against Australia for Irish Rugby’s 150th Anniversary Test on Saturday, November 30 (kick-off 3:10 p.m.).
All of these matches will be broadcast live on Virgin Media in the Republic of Ireland and TNT Sports in the United Kingdom.
Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Rónan Kelleher, Finlay Bealham; Joe McCarthy, James Ryan; Tadhg Beirne, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris (captain).
Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciarán Frawley, Jamie Osborne.
New Zealand: Will Jordan; Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke; Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Tamatai Willians, Asafo Aumua, Tyrel Lomax; Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i; Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea
Replacements: George Bell, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Samipeni Finau, Cam Roigard, Anton Lienert-Brown, Stephen Perofeta
