Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Rugby semi-finalists have proved harder than soccer to change at the World Cup level - a more predictable game with fewer teams to choose from - but there will be change eventually. Anyway, we could play better this time and still go out early because of the draw, something we’ll have a hard time explaining to the rugbyphobes. In defence of Argentina, I imagine they must get much less time together as a team than we do given that many of our players belong to one province? Surely, this would tend to give us better results between World Cups?

This member of the NZ public isn't.

I don't think he said Aus, RSA and NZ were the 3 best teams but were 3 of the best teams in the world. Which I think is a fair call.

I can't see the Boks winning this RWC. I don't think they have the consistency or depth to win 3 tough knock out matches in a row on top of coming through a tough group. I feel the same about the ABs.

People pointing out that RSA won the Rugby Championship prior to the 2019 RWC, I'm pretty sure the ABs didn't win the RC in 2011 and 15. But did in 2003 and 07.

I think Mouaga is the right choice at 10 but I could see Foster tinkering with DMac or BB there if the ABs lose a game. They should be in match back up, not starters.

I think the hookers are good enough but I'd like to see Aumua there instead of either Taylor or Coles. Probably Taylor because Coles is such a pest.

100% agree with all you said about the loosies.

I think Schmidt has definitely improved the side and isn't looking to have them play like he had Ireland play. He is obviously going to place a big emphasis on accuracy and discipline, which is needed. However the skillset that the kiwi players have is higher than what Irish players had during his tenure so the team can play a different style. As was mentioned, more like Leinster than Ireland as they don't have to work on basic skills. Hope that makes sense.

There's a huge amount of hindsight here.

SA were well beaten in the pool by NZ, were very unimpressive against Japan in the QFs and fell over the line with a late penalty to beat Wales in the SF. They didn't remotely look like a RWC-winning team until the final so I'm not sure they were that well primed at all.

Of course, once they actually made the final, they didn't look back, credit where it's due.

I would still rate NZ as the best team at the last RWC - in a sustained league situation I think NZ would have won against the other teams. England had a France moment and played out of their boots to beat them. Our performance between Cups has been fantastic this time. We’ll have to wait and see if it makes any difference to the usual turn of events.

Yeah, hard to see past them if their performance against SA is anything to go by. Like Ireland, if they get a good start its very hard to stay with them. Ireland will come into it with a lot of confidence and a successful gameplay that's hard to deal with so these two laying against each other is a very hard call. 1st or third test?