Ireland’s Caelan Doris breaks off the back of the scrum during the Guinness Six Nations match.
New Ireland skipper Caelan Doris is hoping to lead from the front when they host New Zealand in their highly anticipated Autumn Nations Series Test at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night.
It will be the sides’ first meeting since the All Blacks claimed a 28-24 victory during an exciting Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Paris last year.
That meant Ireland failed to advance to a World Cup semi-final yet again and it was the second successive time at the global showpiece that the All Blacks knocked them out in a quarter-final after they also won the corresponding quarter-final in Japan in 2019.
Doris admits that he hasn’t given last year’s World Cup defeat “too much” thought but is determined to put in an improved showing after not delivering the goods last year.
“I’ve obviously reflected on that game and I know it wasn’t near one of my best performances or where I can get to,” said the number eight.
“It’s all part of the journey and the evolution of a player and a person and I’m sure that game, some of the lessons from it, will lead to further development and growth for me.
“I’m looking forward to putting that into action.”
Last month, Ireland head coach Andy Farrell appointed Doris as his side’s new skipper but the 26-year-old is no stranger to the role as he previously captained the team against Italy in the Six Nations and in their memorable victory over the Springboks in Durban in July.
He also became Leinster’s new captain earlier this year and admitted that while he is not a natural skipper, the captaincy is becoming more “comfortable” for him now.
Ireland v All Blacks preview: Andy Farrell’s men to ‘exact revenge’ and maintain their winning record in rugby’s great ‘modern-day rivalry’
“I’m starting to enjoy it more,” said Doris.
“Between the coaches we have and the experience in the squad and the leadership group, the load is very much spread across everyone so I don’t feel too much extra pressure or responsibility on me.
“Of course there is some given the role but I’m becoming more settled in it.”
Doris was asked to describe his leadership style and said: “Probably actions first. I think I have a good relationship with the group and all the individuals.”
He is joined in Ireland’s back-row by flankers Tadhg Beirne and Josh van der Flier and expects a tough battle against the All Blacks’ loose forward combination of Ardie Savea (number eight), Sam Cane and Wallace Sititi.
“Three quality players and [Samipeni] Finau off the bench, too,” said Doris.
“Sititi is a young player and has been class in the Rugby Championship and against England last week.
“You love testing yourself against other world-class opponents and against very good back rows so looking forward to going up against them, the three of us against the three of them will be a good challenge.”
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Our preview of the Autumn Nations Series clash between Ireland and the All Blacks at Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
Planet Rugby’s United Rugby Championship Team of the Week following the Round Six action.
Brian O’Driscoll gives his view on the decision to award Caelan Doris the captaincy.
Check out our winners and losers from Andy Farrell’s Ireland squad for the Autumn Nations Series.
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