All Blacks vs Ireland, 3rd test, Hamilton, 8:30am Sky Sports. NO STREAMS

Fishooks12

Ireland

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster)
11 - Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster)
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
5 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
7 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Replacements:

16 - Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Chris Henry (Ballymena/Ulster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)


New Zealand

1. Tony Woodcock (85)
2. Andrew Hore (64)
3. Owen Franks (33)
4. Luke Romano *
5. Samuel Whitelock (27)
6. Liam Messam (9)
7. Sam Cane (1)
8. Richie McCaw - captain (105)
9. Aaron Smith (2)
10. Aaron Cruden (11)
11. Hosea Gear (8)
12. Sonny Bill Williams (16)
13. Conrad Smith (57)
14. Ben Smith (4)
15. Israel Dagg (14)

Reserves:

16. Keven Mealamu (92)
17. Ben Franks (17)
18. Brodie Retallick (2)
19. Adam Thomson (26)
20. Piri Weepu (58)
21. Beauden Barrett *
22. Tamati Ellison (1)

Context

Brian O' Driscoll cast a disconsolate figure in the wake of last weeks second test defeat in Christchurch, his chances of being involved in the Irish side to beat the All Blacks had taken a considerable blow. You don't get many opportunities to beat the Kiwis on their own turf, and last Saturday was a golden one. For O'Driscoll, Hamilton is probably endgame, one last shot to be involved in banishing the monkey that has long clung to the back of Irish rugby.

It's not just significant for Ireland's mercurial captain. Considering we won't be back until 2024, this group of players won't get another shot to put one over on the All Blacks on their own turf. One suspects that the elusive win will come between now and then at home, but it would be all the more sweeter to do it here.

Consistency



It's an odd characteristic of Declan Kidney's coaching style that he can sometimes get it right in terms of game-plan. It's a seldom occurrence but games like the Australian pool game, England in 2011 and to a lesser extent France in this years championship show that on occasion Kidney manages to get things right. Which made it all the more frustrating when we produced abject displays in the weeks and months following these games.

It's been suggested that given the easy nature of the first test, the All Black's simply took their foot of the gas last week. There's no doubt that they didn't play with anywhere near the same fluidity in Christchurch, but much of that was down to Ireland simply not giving them the space and time to get into a rhythm. This was in stark contrast to the first test, where players look visibly unsure of their roles in defense. Tomorrows defensive system will have to be built on the same commitment, improved line-speed and trust that was evident last week.

In attack it's hard to wish for much considering we're still without a recognized backs coach. But one would hope that the patient phase play that was evident last week will be employed again as starving NZ of ball will be crucial.

Key Clashes

Sonny Bill Williams v Paddy Wallace, Johnny Sexton and Brian O' Driscoll



Curtailing Williams will be crucial. His ability to offload, while sometimes reckless, was a sure fire way for getting the All Blacks on the front foot in the first test. Closing him down in the second, both his offloading and go forward ball, led to frustration for All Blacks backline.

Looking at the trio he'll be doing most of his running at, it's hard to see where the holes will appear. Wallace, for all the unfair criticism labelled at him down through the years, is Ireland's form 12 and a very solid defender. In Sexton we have arguably the best defensive 10 in world rugby and Brian O'Driscoll's credentials in this department are hardly worth mentioning.

In saying all that, Williams is still bound to get some joy in midfield, he's simply too good to let 80 minutes pass him by. How much he gets will be a decisive factor in the outcome of the game.

The scrum



It was pretty satisfying to see Cian Healy and Mike Ross marching Ben Franks and Tony Woodcock into their own half last week. It's no coincidence either that Ireland's better performances over the last few years have coincided with our scrum getting on top of the opposition in a big way.

Our lack of depth is a big worry though. An injury to either Healy or Best and the tables could turn dramatically. While Declan Fitzpatrick seemed solid in the first test, his lack of match fitness and International experience is a huge concern.

The back row



The battle between Richie McCaw and the now reinvented Sean O'Brien has been an immense one. But now the dynamic has changed. Injury to the brilliant Kieron Reid has forced McCaw to 8. In his place, the young Sam Cane. Cane will be in for a baptism of fire against O'Brien and it's hard to see the 20 year old getting more joy at the breakdown than the Tullow native.

Liam Messam comes in instead of Adam Thompson to add some much needed bulk at 6 for the All Blacks that was seriously lacking last weekend. For Ireland, Kevin McLaughlin will be looking to push on after proving last week that he's well equipped for test rugby.

The most intriguing battle of the week seems to come at 8. Both O'Mahony and McCaw are not the most natural eight's in the world but both have featured for their club in the position recently. The loss of Jamie Heaslip cannot be understated but O'Mahony is never shy of doing the dirty work that Heaslip's role requires. McCaw's form over the two legs has been questionable to say the least, so it will be interesting to see how he adapts to a less familiar role while going through a rare rough patch.

Johnny Sexton v Aaron Cruden



It would have been interesting to see how much hyped Cruden would have coped with the immense pressure of filling Dan Carters boots had he not bowed out with a groin injury in the world cup quarter final. He's undoubtedly a great prospect, as his form in the Super 15 has shown, but Johnny Sexton is a much more rounded player at this point. If Cruden clicks his gainline attacking style could really hurt Ireland. But if it's a tight game in the rain with ten minutes to go, Sexton's match winning ability should overshadow his less experienced counter part.


Prediction

With injuries to Carter and Reid, it should be another competitive affair. However recent history points to our performance level dropping and the Kiwis improving. All Blacks by 10

Hagz

Totallegend and Thomond are better.....

Fishooks12

Hagz wrote: »

Totallegend and Thomond are better.....

I did that in 40 minutes!! :mad:

Hagz

I kid.

Fishooks12

First one to spot an outrageous typo gets a free t-shirt

Scioch

Fine work Fishhooks.

I hope they put in another good performance. AB's will be out to put them in their place after almost being caught out last week.

durkadurka

Fishooks12 wrote: »

First one to spot an outrageous typo gets a free t-shirt

'outrages'

Edit: you did a ninja edit there...

Fishooks12

durkadurka wrote: »

'outrages'

Edit: you did a ninja edit there...

haha

Chilli Con Kearney

Fair play, fishooks. Was looking forward to reading a preview.

Funk It

My heart and betting slips say Ireland, but my head can see NZ coming in with a big performance after last week.

Just hoping that we can build on the strong scrum that we had in the 2nd test. Need to be near flawless with the boot to keep us in with a shot, but really looking forward to seeing the crucial backrow battles with neither being at full strength.

Scioch

McCaw at 8 ? Letting Cane get the lesson this week is he ?

durkadurka

Possessive apostrophe in "kiwi's"

cityman 18

Fair play Fishhook great write up. All Blacks by ten is a fair prediction as well. Cant wait for this one. Hopefully Ross and Healy can continue to march the New Zealand scrum backwards. Last week was the first time I've ever seen the all Blacks look ordinary or dare i say it....Human against us.

Here's hoping for a historic win tomorrow morning!

totallegend

Hagz wrote: »

Totallegend and Thomond are better.....

In fairness, that is a step up from anything I've churned out, some great analysis there.

Kilkenny14

Good work on the preview Fishhooks.

I voted Ireland to win but it's more likely New Zealand will. Still, it should be a good game to watch, and the stadium there is very good for atmosphere.

The weather forecast for Hamilton says it's going to pour rain around 7pm so the match conditions will be bad.

COME ON IRELAND!

mikedragon32

Fishooks12 wrote: »

First one to spot an outrageous typo gets a free t-shirt

Just the one?

:pac:

Fishooks12

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Just the one?

:pac:

ha, my biggest failing when writing is bashing it out and then not bothering to proof read. Probably a product of posting here so much

pynchy

Good review thanks.

All in all im really just looking for a good enthusiastic display from ireland from.which we could potentially win....

High hopes for wallace coming in along side sexton and bod and utterly delighted to see earls back in the game.

The worry as expressed above is that any of the front three take a knock as our back up is somewhat limited.

I see the key is to hold tight against the AB attack within the first ten with a good defence and then build upon this throughout the match with some murray/sexton decision making and a solid agressive push from the forwards... We really need to be up for this as the ABs recognise the threat and will no doubt step up there game plan in the morning.

mikedragon32

Great review, don't sweat it!

Edited the title by the way to add NO STREAMS. (Was that a typo?)

Fishooks12

Left out a few interesting elements to the game because of time constraints. But I think it's imperative to our chances that Murray has another good game

mikedragon32

Fishooks12 wrote: »

Left out a few interesting elements to the game because of time constraints. But I think it's imperative to our chances that Murray has another good game

We can't have any passengers in green, truth be told.

Taco Corp

Nice work, Fishooks.

I know it's a cliche but first score will be vital. Ireland get it and it gives us hope. NZ get it and we're chasing the game. Need to target Cruden and ASmith and force them into early mistakes, knock their confidence. Will also need to do everything possible to keep the ball away from Gear

mikedragon32

possibly and ex player...

Where's me T shirt. Prop sized plz.

Fishooks12

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Where's me T shirt. Prop sized plz.

extra small 2006 UL rag week souvenir tee on its way

mikedragon32

I can use it to polish my "Mod of the year award".







Trophy may not exist.

mrpdap

Great post Fishooks.
I'm going for an Ireland win. The ABs will improve, but so will we. The team need to prove that last week wasn't another once in a blue mon performance.
C'mon Ireland.

duckysauce

Cracking review Fishooks---- there are now three excellent pre match previewers here , the competition is getting great ...

The boys from the Irish Stuff



Hope we do it. :cool:

Phonehead

Excellent review Fishooks, you might just have convinced me to drag my ass out of bed for it;)

duckysauce

Phonehead wrote: »

Excellent review Fishooks, you might just have convinced me to drag my ass out of bed for it;)

Get out of bed ya Bum It's 8.30

Funk It

I was really trying not to get my hopes up too much for this game, but that is starting to go out the window now.

Got off to a great start last weekend, and need to show character if we do not get the same start. Going in to HT last weekend a point up, and all level with a couple mins left on the clock showed how close it was.

But this is a new game and clean slate, last weeks performance has no influence on tomorrows scoreboard, neither does the x amount of years of attempting to beat NZ (I know the number but I'm sick of seeing it branded about everywhere).

Believe

19543261

Funk It wrote: »

I was really trying not to get my hopes up too much for this game, but that is starting to go out the window now.

Yeah, sure funk it - I'm believin, too!

duckysauce

Class Photo

niallon

BELIEVE!!!

Sorry, I really can't contain the excitement. There just seems to be too much of a finality about this game, so many players not looking at another chance at the All Blacks and clearly aware of it. Plus an All Blacks side that, for once, looks like it might have a crack or two in it. Red Bull is wearing off.....attempting sleep.....BELIEVE!

CoDy1

Christ, I would love it if we finally got the win, for BOD's sake if nothing else!

maddragon

Is feidir linn.

"Doctors and scientists said that breaking the four-minute mile was impossible, that one would die in the attempt. Thus, when I got up from the track after collapsing at the finish line, I figured I was dead."
Roger Bannister (After becoming the first person to break the four-minute mile, 1952)

COME ON IRELAND

heybaby

Looking forward to the game alright but in reality believe our one golden opportunity to finally beat the ABs came and went last week. They had a poor game by their standards and despite us throwing the kitchen sink at them they still had the mental and physical strength to win, they wont make similar mistakes this week. The all blacks Hallmark is consistency, whereas we've only raised our game to their habitual tri-nations standards twice in 3 years, the previous game being our victory over the Aussies in the world cup, far too infrequent for my liking, the kiwis know this and they'll just focus on their game forcing Irish errors from knockons, silly penalties at the breakdown and winning their restarts,which we seem incapable of. The kiwis will hit the ground running tmrw and unfortunately I expect them to win by 15.

yohan the great

The all blacks arent the same without carter. They should have been beaten in the world cup final. Ireland have a decent chance to win it now. McCaw being moved to 8 is also a positive because he isnt a brilliant ball carrier

Ardillaun

I've been surprised and impressed by Wallace of late. And he scored that lovely try on a previous NZ tour - of few can that be said. So we do have a skillful backline for the match, but from 11-14 it looks very light. If they DO keep the ABs from running over them, it will suggest that smaller players can still compete at the highest level.

sixy

Ireland to get a momentous win over an inexperienced all blacks side! rory to lead the pack like he has for las 2 year and BOD to put in a performance that only he could to lead us over and finally get this all black monkey off our back!!!

totallegend

Gerry Thornley has an odd piece in the Times; it's written in the past tense about a game which has yet to happen.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2012/0623/1224318511120.html

Obviously, the game will be over by the time most people get their Saturday paper, hence the odd tense but it's still strange to read.

Clegg

Losing Carter is a blow for the ABs but Aaron Cruden is a good player in his own right.

This is an understrength ABs team but I expect them to come roaring back after last weeks game.

ABs by 10.

mystic86

Why are we not playing new Zealand in new Zealand for next 12 years?

Tomtom364

Im just in from a night out and taying up for this so i do aplgise for any typos.

Cant wait for this, if ever there was a chance for Ireland to beak the blacks, its now!
Personally Id prefer McFadden or Earls in the centre instead of Wallace just because they have been there all tour. But i dont think Wallace will let us down either, and i certainly hpe he has an absolute sttormer.

watching Tonga vs Fiji now to get in the mood and the match is bloody dire! Roll on Wales vz Australia at 6am xD

Taco Corp

mystic86 wrote: »

Why are we not playing new Zealand in new Zealand for next 12 years?

Between Lions Tours, World Cups and touring the other SH nations, it will end up being 12 years before we tour NZ again.

Swiwi

mystic86 wrote: »

Why are we not playing new Zealand in new Zealand for next 12 years?

Every 2nd year is either RWC or Lions. In no particular order France, Wales, Scotland, England & ?Italy or a Pacific Island team would tour before Ireland comes south again. But we will see you up north before then.

Swiwi

Wales absolute masters at snatching defeat from jaws of victory. All that hot air pre-tour, and they head back 0-3. The sooner that 5 secs at the back of the ruck rule comes in, the better. Tedious watching teams run down the clock, my own included.

Swiwi

If I have to hear another comment about how long the northern hemisphere season is, I might spew. Full credit to the Irish players for not raising it as the reason for their losses, I know the ABs would never hide behind such reasons for defeat. Player management is an integral part of modern game, and if a player finds himself playing 51 consecutive matches, he needs to have a word to his bosses.

19543261

I think someone brought up here before that there's general time-wasting rule for the ref to employ in whatever situation he likes - if this is true whats stopping him?

.ak

The whole Cruden thing is being blown out of the water. Carter hasn't been that good in the last two sets, if anything I think Cruden will pose more of a treat for us.

Something tells me we're about to be blown out of the water too, just like the first test.

Swiwi

19543261 wrote: »

I think someone brought up here before that there's general time-wasting rule for the ref to employ in whatever situation he likes - if this is true whats stopping him?

Currently, time-wasting would be taking an eternity to throw the ball into lineout, ambling as slowly as possible to the scrum etc. "Organising" your attack while ball sits at back of ruck is currently perfectly legal.

Blackheath

Its getiing close, can't wait for this one to start.