Dublin - Ireland's new defence coach Andy Farrell says the team can create history when they arrive in South Africa on Monday to take on the Springboks in a three-Test series.
“We fly on Sunday and we need to make sure that we create this bond and belief that we're going to go to South Africa and be very determined to create history over there,” said Farrell.
The former England assistant coach signed a four-year deal to join Joe Schmidt's backroom team but he was unable to take up his new position until the end of the season as he was placed on leave following his departure from the England set-up.
Having completed his gardening leave he will finally get a chance to work with the Ireland players and has set them the target of winning next month's series against the Boks.
“We want to win all games, we just don't want to rest on our laurels. We don't want to go down and win one game, we want to go for the series, to win every game,” Farrell said.
“We are after being on a difficult season, have 10 days to plan, the same as the South Africans will do so it is all evens as it stands. Home advantage will probably swing it a little bit their way. It is an exciting 10 days coming ahead because it is time to get going.”
Ireland have failed to win a Test in South Africa in their seven previous visits and Farrell admits he has his 'hands full' as he looks to get the players mentally ready for the tour.
“We have a fantastic coaching team here that looks at the whole bigger picture, but my department is defence and it's going to be tested in South Africa. But the challenge is one that really excites me because I feel that defence is about attitude, and we want to create history so we have show some real proper attitude.
“We've got a couple of days in camp to get our systems sorted out etc, and then we'll talk about the mentality to go into the cauldron like Joe said an win a game in South Africa. That's my role and it's up to me to put a stamp on that.
“We have a fantastic coaching team here that looks at the whole bigger picture, but my department is defence and it's going to be tested in South Africa, so I've got my hands full.
“The challenge is one that really excites me because I feel that defence is about attitude, and we want to create history so we have to show some real proper attitude.”
African News Agency