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Live sport on SN this weekend'Hell of an arm wrestle': Ryan and Goodman brace for Eden Park showdown
Sport Nation • July 17th, 2026 5:32 pm
Will Jordan celebrates a try against Ireland | Photo: Photosport
Jason Ryan and Andrew Goodman know each other well.
The pair were part of the Crusaders coaching team together before Ryan moved into the All Blacks setup and Goodman eventually joined Ireland’s staff.
This week, they both joined Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy from opposite sides of another major test week.
Ryan believes Ireland will provide the clearest marker yet of where the All Blacks stand under Dave Rennie.
Crusader Coaching staff Scott Robertson, Jason Ryan, Scott Hansen, Andrew Goodman and Tamati Ellison following the 2021 Super Rugby Final | Photo: Photosport
After two tests against France and Italy, the All Blacks now face an Irish side with recent history in New Zealand, a proven attacking system and little to no fear of Eden Park.
“It is definitely going to be a pretty good marker of where we’re at,” Ryan told Sport Nation’s Millsy & Guy.
“We believe we’ve got some good connections there and we’re better for the time that we’ve had together, so really looking forward to what will be, I think, a hell of an arm wrestle and contest tomorrow night.”
Former Tasman Mako captain and now Ireland assistant coach Goodman knows exactly where the danger lies.
The All Blacks’ willingness to move the ball has helped to create high-scoring rugby, but it has also opened up a game full of transition chances.
“The transition game is a massive part of what’s deciding games at the moment,” Goodman said.
“We’ve seen the All Blacks’ willingness to move this ball to space well and so we’re going to have to be right on defensively.”
Ryan expects Ireland to bring their own tempo, cohesion and breakdown edge, with many of their players sharing long-standing combinations through Leinster.
“They’ve always played at speed and had a pretty good breakdown presence with the ball,” Ryan said.
The All Blacks forwards coach also wants a sharper start from his pack after slow openings in recent tests.
“We need to get going forward and impose ourselves on the test match right from the start,” he said.
“We’ve got to build pressure pretty early.”
Goodman, meanwhile, said Ireland’s kicking accuracy will be crucial if they are to avoid feeding the All Blacks’ counter-attack.
“There’s been a few kicks that just go a little bit too far, which gives them time to get their two passes into the wide channel,” he said.
“The accuracy of our kicking game, we just have to be more accurate when we do that.”
Both camps have acknowledged Eden Park’s extraordinary record, with the All Blacks unbeaten there in 52 tests since 1994.
Goodman called it “an incredible record”, but said Ireland’s focus had quickly shifted back to preparation.
Ryan, for his part, sees a fast, open test taking shape, especially with referee Nic Berry in charge.
“He’s an ex-halfback who likes to keep the game moving, which is also what World Rugby want,” Ryan said.
“There’s a lot of tries being scored in test matches at the moment. Teams are scoring and scoring really, really fast, which is exciting.”
History, rivalry and Eden Park’s aura all sit in the background, but Ryan’s focus is more immediate.
The All Blacks want to know exactly where they are.
Ireland look ready to tell them.
Listen to the full interview with Jason Ryan below:
