Ireland v New Zealand Oct 14 Build up Thread

It's an interesting idea in theory but NZ are not all used to being underdogs, it's a very strange / alien experience for them. Given their history in the game, there may well be more pressure on them than Ireland (not used to playing against sides who are ranked well above them and who favourites to beat them).

It really wouldn't be big upset. There's little between the teams and a yellow or red card could swing the game one way or another. I'll be disappointed if we lose but for that to happen I think NZ will have to be at their best. If that happens then you just have to accept it and move on. It won't be a disaster if we are beaten by NZ firing on all cylinders. It's sport and you take the highs with the lows.

All that being said, we have all the tools we wanted to face any of the other Top 4 sides, incredible defence, ability to score tries, control where we play the game, best short game of any team, and an incredible work rate. We now need to get a bit of luck, which has been sorely missing in any WC knockout game to date.

Agreed. NZ need a good start for the same reason. They need to put Ireland into an uncomfortable place they haven't been before. I mentioned a while ago that I don't think they've come from more than a score behind to win at any point in their current winning run, so they've never had to feel scoreboard pressure, particularly in a do-or-die game.

" .. that I don't think they've come from more than a score behind to win in their current winning run"

OR

"..that I don't think they've ever been more than a score behind in their current winning run"

I remember that game all too well. It was an awful hiding we got that day.

About as good as you could hope for. Telea out means an opportunity for Leicester. Would have gone for Roigard, but happy enough otherwise.

Hi all,

I have a flight for this Saturday to give away for face cost 360 - cost to change name 150 = EUR 210. Ryanair flight FR3026 taking off at 12:25 landing at 15:00 in Bauvais shuttle bus ticket included.

I developed an ear infection after last flight as I flew with a head cold and am now traveling by ferry.

Message me if interested, thanks.

Cmon Ireland!!! 

I still wouldn't have them down as two very evenly matched teams with the game on a knife edge - it's more akin to the 2019 WC game, but in reverse.

Completely agree though a couple of yellows or a red card could totally change the complexion, ditto with injuries to key players.

Ah the good old days.

If NZ are relying on that bench to make a difference ...

Would have Roigard in ahead of Christie. Surprising.

Prediction : Jordan gets 1st YC

Went back and watched the first half of the first test in Eden Park, looking to identify where it all went wrong.

In fact, we actually played really well. Got the opening try and damn near could have been 12-0 up by 15 mins if Barrett didn't make a spectacular intercept here when we had a 2-v-1.

Their opening try showed a lack of cohesion on our D (mostly a lazy effort to make up numbers on the open side). Their second try was obviously a gift when our attack got a bit sloppy.

So we found ourselves 14-5 down when it could so easily have been 5-12 or even 0-12. But that's what you get with the All Blacks, who will ruthlessly punish even the slightest imperfection.

The next try we conceded, however, is probably the easiest area we can (and hopefully have) improved. We win a penalty in midfield, 45 yards out, dead centre of the pitch. JGP taps and and passes wide to Ringrose who is easily covered. A few phases later we turn it over. Criminal decision (not sure if it was all on JGP, he seemed to look up and get a shout that the tap was on). But you've just conceded 2 tries, chance to at least slow things down, give Joey a shot at the sticks, or a touch-finder to get his confidence up. Instead the All-Blacks get into our territory (largely thanks to a poor box-kick by JGP). We have a chance to clear our lines from a lineout but JGP picks-and-goes, isolates himself in our own 22, and NZ turn-over and hit us immediately for their third try.

An opportunity to claw it back to 14-8, or at least get deep into their territory, and it's instead 21-5, largely down to a handful of poor decisions (did I mention.. All Blacks.... ruthless...).

JGP featured heavily in the above, and look, anyone can slice a kick or respond to a shout without thinking. But you nonetheless have three strikes against him in a 10-15 point swing in circumstances. I don't know if he feels like he is running things when a more junior 10 is at the helm (two other scenarios come to mind: The Heineken Cup final, where apparently he and Byrne had conflicting objectives for the drop goal; the Autumnal test where Crowley started against Aus and rarely got the ball). But there's no way in HELL he taps-and-goes if Sexton is on the field.

He might have also been a bit amped to be playing a test in his country of birth for the first time. We have also developed our leadership and group-wide decision making a great deal in the ensuing 18 months. So I'd be confident the team will control things a lot better, even if Sexton has to go off.