Ireland v New Zealand Oct 14 Build up Thread

I read this the other day and wondered if there's any hard evidence that Schmidt's NZ are now "no holds barred".

I'll preface by saying I only went back and watched extended highlights of the pool games against France and Italy.

But in the former game, they scored a beauty of a cross-field kick to open the scoring, but it was with penalty advantage. They then scored off what looks to all the wold like a strike play off a lineout in midfield, involving a dink over the top, quick recycle, then out wide. Their only other score in the game was a penalty kicked after France strayed offside holding several phases of NZ attack out on the goal-line. Interestingly, most phases were one-out runners or pick-n-goes. Is this all sounding a bit familiar?

In the Italy game they were aided by atrocious Italian defending. But nonetheless, a similar pattern was there. Another (I think opening try) off a cross-field kick made on the first phase with penalty advantage. Several strike plays off lineout and at least 3 tries either with or utilizing the rolling maul. By now they were up 50-odd points and I stopped watching. Maybe they went Harlem Globetrotter from then on but not a hugely relevant situation to be scouting them...?

There are no "bad" NZ teams, to quote Matt Williams. They are still incredibly dangerous if given space.

But in those two games I saw a very conservative approach, reliant on strike-plays, set-pieces, mauls and, and only really trying something risky with penalty advantage. Nothing at all to say that Schmidt is now no-holds-barred given a supposedly more skillful set of players under his watch....

If you were basing this opinion on games in the Rugby Championship, then fair enough, I didn't go back that far.

He's just not though

The one they should have won by 25 if JOB could finish

Madigan as I said before is the answer. Staring you right in the face.

And it's Tommy Booooowwwe.

Earls is 36, has been an outstanding servant for Ireland and is well loved both inside and outside the squad. If you can’t see that he has lost pace in the last 18-24 months. I’d suggest booking an eye test. NZ will be kicking in behind our wingers and turning them all night, it’s a major part of their game. If Farrell picks him there, then fair enough. I just hope it doesn’t come back to bite us.

Also given what happened last week, having McCloskey on the bench was not a great choice. Luckily it was irrelevant to the outcome by that stage.

This age/pace thing is definitely not an issue for Farrell, should he too go for an eye test?

The management team would have so much data of each player, on these basic speed and recovery questions.

I know that, but by the sounds of it no one has pace since Denis hickie

Farrell talked him out of retiring, why isn't he concerned about a 36yo playing for Ireland

What age is Sexton ??

Sexton is still playing to a very high standard despite his age in a position where pace and agility aren’t the key positional attributes. Do you think Earls is currently playing to the same level as Sexton?

Farrell obviously feels Earls brings a lot to the group on and off the pitch. As I said, in Farrell I trust. He sees how players fit into the system first hand. I’ve only expressed my opinion and rationale behind it which is the idea of the discussion.