I think you may want Ireland to be underdogs but the level of expectation will be much much higher than it normally is. It will be interesting to see how Ireland handle this and if JS goes again with an expansive game plan again. I do hope he sticks to his guns and the Irish players front up for no other reason than it could stop Gatland go with type on the Lions tour and try and expand his game plan a little bit.
I don't think the game yesterday changes that much, some people now realise we can beat NZ whereas there was a lot of 'why bother turning up' comments prior to yesterday but we don't expect to beat them. Yesterday I was watching with English and Kiwi friends and they'll you that the first moment I thought Ireland were favourites to win was when Murray caught Savea in goal on 75 minutes despite the fact that I had been saying I think we'd win all week, it was the most uncomfortable viewing experience ever and it was a sign of playing a team who can be so much better than the one you support if given half a chance.
Two weeks time NZ will have a wider pitch, a second row and probably a better midfield and halfback pairing whereas Ireland won't be as pumped as yesterday or 2013. Yesterday was our best chsnce to beat them in the pro era and we did, Dublin is a bigger challenge and one too far currently for Schmidt's side still in the early stages of what is a 4 year plan.
As for the game yesterday, my hungover and still pumped points of interest are;
1. Conor Murray played the scrum halves equivalent to Dan Carter's perfect game v the Lions in '05, we arguably have the best 9 in world rugby with him after his shaming of Aaron Smith.
2. Rob Kearney completely justified his selection, his aerial play and covering was immense, ge had a few good contributions coming into tge line too including a try making line break. A bad missed tackle on Barrett being the only blemish after being hung out to dry by his midfield for NZ's first score.
3. Apart from the first try Henshaw and Payne were the difference in defence with a helping hand from Trimble, rarely did NZ look dangerous if they didn't do well off first phase ball.
4. Sexton is the best 10 in the world on his day, Beauden Barrett has been added to the long list of international 10's he's outclassed 1 on 1, Dan Carter being the only notable absentee.
5. Jack McGrath is the world's best loosehead, I won't accept any rebuttle to this claim because it would be wrong.
6. Ireland is going to have a serious population crisis soon, the nation won't be able to handle the alarming number of international class back rows, just look at Munster's, Leinster's and Connacht's back rows this weekend, the issue is scary and needs to be addressed.
7. 111 is now 0, tasty enough!
