Hugo Keenan On Training Against Counties Manukau

The Ireland squad were back at their North Harbour Stadium training base in Auckland today as they step up preparations for Saturday’s first Test against New Zealand.

The squad welcomed NPC side Counties Manukau to training to provide a different sort of opposition in the build-up to the game.

We caught up with Hugo Keenan after training, with the full-back saying: “It was really good. They showed us a few different pictures. Challenged us in different ways.

“We were a few bodies down after the match (against the Māori All Blacks) last night, so it was good to get a few fresh ones in there to test us out so it was really good.

“There’s a lot of learnings. They tested us, they’re a serious side playing at a really good standard. They tested us in different ways than, I suppose, what we’re used to.

“They showed us a different style and brand of rugby that they play, so it was great and really rewarding.”