Peter O’Mahony has joined the Ireland squad at their training base in the Algarve today ahead of the opening game of their Autumn Nations Series against New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.
O’Mahony played the first half of Munster’s 24-38 defeat to an All Blacks XV at Thomond Park last night, which was his first game since he sustained a hamstring injury against the Ospreys on October 5.
O’Mahony flew to Portugal this morning to link up with Andy Farrell’s squad and new Ireland backs coach Andrew Goodman says the Munster forward will be ready to play if he is selected.
“Pete’s been out for a while now so for him to get through the 40 and get around like he did, provide energy and have some good effects on the game. Good to have him over here this morning and adding to the group,” said Goodman. “He’s a pretty experienced man. I’m sure if he gets called upon he’ll be ready to go.”
Goodman, who described the squad as being in “good health”, said they had screens showing both the Munster game and the All Blacks 24-22 win over England at Twickenham yesterday. The All Blacks will be without Beauden Barrett and Codie Taylor for the Dublin showdown because of head injuries they sustained during yesterday’s game.
“I haven’t seen the headlines, I only saw them both go off with HIAs but I wasn’t aware they were ruled out at this stage,” Goodman added.
“They’ve got some good cover there, obviously with [Damian] McKenzie, who’s been playing 10 for them most of the season and then Will Jordan at full-back. And Asafo Aumua coming in and played some pretty big minutes there and is a powerful runner, we know what he can do.
“So they’ve got great depth in all positions there so I’m sure they’ll back those guys to do a job.
“New Zealand showed how dangerous they can be from turnover, counter-attack rugby, some of the tries they scored there off the opportunities they created so obviously a lot around attacking the battles in the air, the contests in the air, it was pretty incredible all round. The contest came from not being able to get the escorts in place there so there was lots of transition ball which New Zealand got to attack off.”
Goodman was impressed by the man of the match performance of their flanker Wallace Sititi, who turned 22 in September.
“Yeah, it’s been some rise for him really. I saw a story around his development through with the Chiefs and then opportunity to go straight into the All Blacks and he’s thrived. He looks pretty calm out there on the field and nothing seems to get to him.
“So he’s one of the players we have to make sure we take his time and space away and hit our tackles and stick them because he’s been dangerous in all parts of their game, whether it’s on the edge or through the middle of the field.”