Ireland assistant coach Andrew Goodman has said that experienced flanker Peter O’Mahony is “ready to go” for his side ahead of their clash with the All Blacks at the Aviva Stadium.
The Munster back-rower has missed a large chunk of the season to date but featured for the province in their loss to the All Blacks XV last weekend.
“He’ll be ready to go”
Speaking to the media ahead of Ireland’s game against the All Blacks, Goodman confirmed the flanker is fully up and running again, and has rejoined the team at their Portugal training camp.
“Pete has joined us now after the match, he came over this morning and joined the team,” he told members of the media.
O’Mahony has been sidelined with a hamstring injury this season, and has only played 22 minutes for Munster in the United Rugby Championship at the time of writing; however he played the first-half against the All Blacks XV and could feature for Ireland on Friday night.
“Pete’s been out for a while now,” Goodman said. “So for him to get through the 40 and get around like he did and have some good effects on the game was good. It’s good to have him over here this morning and adding to the group.”
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Goodman also explained that O’Mahony has been involved in Ireland’s preparations for the clash against New Zealand, saying: “He’s watched footage with everybody this morning, so it’s good to have him around.
“He’s a pretty experienced man, I’m sure he’ll be ready to go if called upon.”
O’Mahony will add invaluable experience to this Ireland side, as they face the All Blacks for the first time since the dramatic World Cup meeting, and is also the first time the teams have met since Scott Robertson took the reins as head coach. If selected, he could reunite with Caelan Doris and Josh van der Flier in a strong back-row.
All Blacks selection woes
Razor’s side come into the game with a few injury concerns of their own, however. Veteran duo Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor will both miss the clash in Dublin through injury, meaning Damian McKenzie and Asafo Aumua are in line to start. Harry Plummer and Brodie McAlister have been drafted in as replacements.
Elsewhere, Ruben Love and Christian Lio-Willie will also come into Robertson’s main squad after featuring in the All Blacks XV squad last weekend.