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LIMERICK - The All Blacks absorbed another history lesson in Limerick today - the significance of their match against Munster on Wednesday (NZT).
Shortly after arriving from Dublin players and management watched a performance of Alone It Stands - the play recounting Munster's stirring 12-0 victory over Graham Mourie's Grand Slam winners of 30 years ago.
The All Blacks' current end-of-year tour has already been marked by historical occasions - the first offshore Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong while last night's 22-3 victory over Ireland was the first time the nations had met at Croke Park - the home of indigenous Irish sports and scene of the Bloody Sunday massacre in 1920.
Assistant coach Steve Hansen said it was important the squad, especially the 22 chosen to commemorate the anniversary of what remains the only triumph by an Irish side over the All Blacks, realised the importance of their presence at Thomond Park.
"We're going to watch the play to get some understanding of it," Hansen said.
The team were already well aware of the 1978 Munster team's heroic status in this rugby-mad city.
And Hansen had little doubt the players - none of whom were born on October 31, 1978 - would not be educated after they interacted with locals during their short stopover en route to Wales.
"By the time the game comes round and they've walked around Limerick they'll be well versed about how they are feeling down there," Hansen said.
Unlike 1978, when coach Jack Gleeson named a near test-strength team, the All Blacks will field a predominantly second-string line-up though nine players involved in last night's victory at Croke Park have been included.
Wing Joe Rokocoko is the only player to start both matches while reserves Piri Weepu, Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava and Corey Flynn are promoted to the starting line-up. Kieran Read and John Afoa are named in the bench again alongside last night's starting lock Brad Thorn and fullback Mils Muliaina.
The long wait is also over for openside flanker Scott Waldrom and prop Ben Franks who have waited pa tiently since the team left Auckland on October 27 for their debuts.
For injury-enforced replacements Hikawera Elliot and Alby Mathewson, it will also be an occasion to savour.
"When the team got named in the (Croke Park) changing shed they were pretty stoked," Hansen said.
"Then it goes from being stoked to a little bit of apprehension - they've got to go out and prove they'r e an All Black.
"It'll be a big game for a number of them, a great opportunity to play some people in a black jersey in a fairly hostile, passionate environment."
Meanwhile, Hansen gave the top team a pass mark after they protected their 103-year unbeaten record against an outclassed Irish side.
"It was a handy enough performance. We did score two tries that weren't ruled that way (to Ali Williams and Sitiveni Sivivatu) and we had other opportunities too.
"I don't think we're just clinical enough. We try to do everything picture perfect and when you do that I think sometimes you just don't quite finish it off. We'll be better for the outing.
"They spluttered and the game spluttered too. I don't think Ireland attempted to play, they were just trying to survi ve," he said saying breakdown was again messy as a result.
"Talking to them (after the game) they were reasonably shocked at how physical we were. At the end of the day they just tried to get through that, which makes it difficult."
Meanwhile, Hansen said he was intrigued to see what, if any, plans Munster's Kiwi contingent had for the All Blacks haka.
Former test wing Doug Howlett suggested last week that he, former New Zealand Maori captain Rua Tipoki and Taranaki midfielder Lifeimi Mafi might do their own haka as the All Blacks perform theirs.
"If they do (a haka) I think that'll be great. They're New Zealanders, they've got the right to do the haka," Hansen said, speculating whether an excitable Tipoki would be able to keep his Munster jersey on.
All Blacks
Cory Jane, Hosea Gear, Anthony Tuitavake, Isaia Toeava, Joe Rokocoko, Stephen Donald, Piri Weepu, Liam Messam, Scott Waldrom, Adam Thomson, Ross Filipo, Jason Eaton, Ben Franks, Corey Flynn, Jamie Mackintosh.
Reserves: Mils Muliaina, Richard Kahui, Alby Mathewson, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Hika Elliot.
- NZPA
