Sale scrum-half Peter Stringer believes Ireland can follow up their historic victory against New Zealand with a win at the Aviva Stadium tomorrow night.
Ireland stormed to a memorable 40-29 triumph over the reigning world champions in Chicago two weeks ago – the first time an Irish side has beaten the All Blacks in 29 attempts.
Stringer, who has been capped 98 times for Ireland, was overwhelmed when he watched the Irish side – which included some of his former international teammates – shatter New Zealand’s 18-match winning streak.
“The game in Chicago was incredible. It was unbelievable to pull off a victory like that, to put 40 points past the All Blacks, given that Ireland had never beaten them,” the scrum-half told MM.
“There was a bit of nostalgia there. I think someone said the other day that I’ve played against them [New Zealand] 8 times. I came close on a couple of occasions – within two or three points, but to see them finally do it – with a lot of my friends playing – it was great to see.”
Stringer, who was voted fans’ Player of the Year in his debut season at Sale last year, is confident that the men in green can produce another big upset when they meet in Dublin on Saturday evening.
“Obviously New Zealand will be hurting from it but I think on the flip side of that it will give Ireland huge confidence playing at home on the back of that game. The crowd will be up for it and I think it will give the guys the belief knowing that it’s possible to beat these guys.
“I think they’ve every chance of upsetting them again.”
“Given what happened a couple of weeks ago, the majority of them – nearly all of them had a week off and had time to recuperate. It’s not like they’ve had a short turnaround, they’ve had time to prepare and I’m sure that Joe Schmidt will have a few new ideas up his sleeve and try and overturn them again.”
Having enjoyed previous spells at Saracens, Newcastle and Bath, the wealth of experience that Stringer brings to an expanding Sale squad has certainly proved vital while the club continues to blood young players such as Tom and Ben Curry, Lou Reed and Curtis Langdon.
But despite turning 39 next month, the scrum-half admits that the enormity of big results such as Ireland’s mammoth one over the All Blacks help him keep fresh and hungry for success.
“Silverware is still something I want to target this late on in my career with Sale, 100 per cent – that’s why I play the game. To win big games, to play on the big stage, to lift trophies. That’s what it’s all about,” Stringer, who last featured in an Ireland shirt in 2011, told MM.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be part of some great Munster and Irish teams where we’ve won trophies and they’re the just rewards at the end of the season of the effort that you put in with your teammates.
“You’ve got to have that as a goal and you’ve got to strive for those trophies at the end of the season. That’s why you play it, you want to be successful and that’s where you get the enjoyment from. That’s what I want to do, for as long as I play.”
