[RWC2019][Quarter-Final 2] New Zealand vs. Ireland (19/10/2019)

[Bada-Bing!]

I'd be praying for an NZ win if I were you!

Why? would much rather smash the Irish in the semis.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Why? would much rather smash the Irish in the semis.

We both know it'd be Euro 88 and the 2011 Cricket World Cup all over again!

A 1 point hammering.

 

[Cooper]

Henshaw and Ringrose should do the trick in midfield.

[


He's good when prepared on off the ball, usually very fair. On TV when he has to think on the spot he has a few clangers.[/QUOTE]

Yeah, I'm enjoying Off the Ball, it's a really good channel. Only complaint would be getting Chris Rattue from NZ on

 

[Cooper]

Anyone here think Retallick should be benched?
30 minutes of rugby in the whole tournament.
As Larksea said, Tuipolotu and Barrett have been playing out off their skin.

Do we start Brodie?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Best off the ball episode



Bless the pool noodles.

 

[Oliver Madden]

As much as I would love Ireland to win, I expect the AB's to get the job done. I think it may be a game where NZ have to grind it out a bit. Ireland will try and monopolise field position like they did in Dublin last year but I think the All Blacks will know this and adjust their game plan accordingly. I expect NZ to win something like 26-16.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Best off the ball episode



Bless the pool noodles.

Small time nation, only care about beating Ireland. Would never have the balls to purposefully lose to Japan in order to knock New Zealand out.

 

[bushytop]

Best off the ball episode



Bless the pool noodles.

See I'm a big fan of this one

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Ireland are the last team I wanted New Zealand to face in the quarterfinals.
While on current form we must be considered favourites, I feel this is the situation most likely to cause an upset and knock us out early.
Ireland has beaten NZ two of the last three times we have played each other. This means that despite form this Ireland team will believe they can win this game. The All Black aura that often gives us a mental edge won't be there.
The fact that Ireland have never won a knock is it game in a rugby World Cup adds to the danger. Mentally this is Ireland's final. Over the years I have often seen the black caps peak in the early stages of knock out, especially against teams ranked better than us, only to be spent and get thrashed in the next game. I feel Ireland are a danger of doing that to us here. Getting up for the big game and beating NZ only to play poorly in the semi.
I still think NZ will win but I'd feel more comfortable against any other team in the quarterfinals.

Some good points. I don't think Ireland will be mentally spent after beating the all blacks though; these guys are used to winnin these days.

Another point to contend with your position, If we played Ireland in the final instead then the weather might be cooler and less humid by then, which I think gives Ireland more of a chance as the less fit side.edit: the forecast is mild and rainy, that will help ireland

Is this Ireland team good enough to beat the AB? Yes (they have proved that), do they currently look like they can? No. For a team that is built around being clinical, they haven't been that clinical this past year and in trying to do something different have looked out of ideas. If there's any game to psych up yourself to turn your form around this is it though.

out of ideas against japan when sexton wasn't playing.

Don't know how sexton was ever player of the year he dos t do a lot apart from kick and why does he wear shoulder pads?

He got player of the year because he wore shoulder pads to ensure that if his shoulder accidentally connected with another players head it wouldn't be so dangerous .

Anyone here think Retallick should be benched?
30 minutes of rugby in the whole tournament.
As Larksea said, Tuipolotu and Barrett have been playing out off their skin.

Do we start Brodie?

the advantage of starting him is you can take him off as soon as he's looking tired, and if there is a chance of him getting injured it is better not to have your reserve get injured with no one to replace him.

 

[james5000]

Hansen sounds like he is preparing for war in this one, hopefully the players have that mentality too.

Seems like they are too busy having a holiday and fan boying with some NBA players.

Losing to Ireland would be pretty had to take tbh. The Irish already have heads as big as the moon, imagine the state of them if they take us out.

I don't actually think it gets any easier if we do win this one tbh. England, Aussie and South Africa are probably more fearsome IMO.

AB's should have the Japanese fans in their pocket, they like the AB's humble warrior nature LOL.

 

[Leinster Fan]

I'd actually be pretty negative about our chances against England in the unlikely event we get to a semi against them.

If we do beat the All Blacks the physical toll will be huge and it'll be hard to get back and face up to a team who've blown us off the park twice already this year. Wouldn't be worried about us not focusing on it mentally though, a lot of fans/media might have that attitude but I've seen nothing from the players or the coach to suggest they'll be happy with that. I just think we physically won't be able to do it.

No point worrying aboutnthat now really, likelihood isn't that we'll be back in Ireland by that stage anyway.

 

[Gena_ZA]

Probably the best team to face the Blacks as they have done it in the past.
Very likable team the Irish from a neutral point of view.
But 2019 and performances this far does not bode well and they will be outplayed by "starting to peak" All Black side.
After this game the All Blacks will be (again) clear favorites for a third ***le.

 

[munstermuffin]

Rumours of team are

Kearney
Earls
Ringrose
Henshaw
Stockdale
Sexton
Murray

Healy
Best
Furlong
Henderson
Ryan
O'Mahony
Van Der Flier
Stander

Scannell
Kilcoyne
Porter
Kleyn
Beirne
McGrath
Carberry
Larmour

Supposedly Kleyn was always pencilled in as South Africa was the team in mind. Again I'd have Ruddock in 23 and would not argue if he was in at 6 as I think POM would be better coming in for last 30 but equally while I'm huge fan of Rhys I do think he's been overhyped and base it on fact he's never been a set starter in a full strength squad for club or country.
I think Larmour and Conway are very unlucky as they're by far our form backs and have been since the first days of camp.

Also the rumour is there is a tactic up the sleeve for this game. So maybe we may have a different approach in mind.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Some good points. I don't think Ireland will be mentally spent after beating the all blacks though; these guys are used to winnin these days.

Another point to contend with your position, If we played Ireland in the final instead then the weather might be cooler and less humid by then, which I think gives Ireland more of a chance as the less fit side.edit: the forecast is mild and rainy, that will help ireland
out of ideas against japan when sexton wasn't playing.

He got player of the year because he wore shoulder pads to ensure that if his shoulder accidentally connected with another players head it wouldn't be so dangerous .

the advantage of starting him is you can take him off as soon as he's looking tired, and if there is a chance of him getting injured it is better not to have your reserve get injured with no one to replace him.

extra time if its a draw isn't it? everyone needs to have 80mins in them, hes a big game player so i expect Hansen to start him....im just not sure i would, but then again Hansen has seen him in training so knows what he can do....basically i just dont know...just like i have no idea about the result

 

[Leinster Fan]

Rumours of team are

Kearney
Earls
Ringrose
Henshaw
Stockdale
Sexton
Murray

Healy
Best
Furlong
Henderson
Ryan
O'Mahony
Van Der Flier
Stander

Scannell
Kilcoyne
Porter
Kleyn
Beirne
McGrath
Carberry
Larmour

Supposedly Kleyn was always pencilled in as South Africa was the team in mind. Again I'd have Ruddock in 23 and would not argue if he was in at 6 as I think POM would be better coming in for last 30 but equally while I'm huge fan of Rhys I do think he's been overhyped and base it on fact he's never been a set starter in a full strength squad for club or country.
I think Larmour and Conway are very unlucky as they're by far our form backs and have been since the first days of camp.

Also the rumour is there is a tactic up the sleeve for this game. So maybe we may have a different approach in mind.

All as expected really and have no issues with it except for Kleyn, who has no function on that bench. He won't come on and change a game, we already have a (better) lock on the bench as well, it just seems bizarre to me. In fact if game is in balance with say 15 to go it'd be hard to justify bringing him on for either Ryan and Henderson unless one of them is completely spent.

Ruddock just offers so much more in my book, as does Murphy (assuming he's fit?)
Can see an argument for any of three options at 6, if we start Beirne then Kleyn on the bench makes sense to some degree because there's no point having to 6s (although would still prefer Ruddock). O'Mahony coming off the bench with a point to prove and as captain for the closing stages would be my preference along with Ruddock starting.

Only other change I'd make to that 23 would be Cronin in but not worth arguing over, get the reasoning behind Scannell. Would agree that Larmour and Conway can consider themselves very hard done by but against the All Blacks you need proven performers and that's what Earls and Kearney are (not like they've been poor either). I'm as big a Larmour fan as anyone but I'd have him in the 23 shirt for this game. Just hope we don't hesitate to make the change and bring Jordan on if it's needed though.

 

[donmcdazzle]

Also the rumour is there is a tactic up the sleeve for this game. So maybe we may have a different approach in mind.

I am almost positive that you will have a targeted gameplan / tactic for this one. Schmidt is too smart a coach to not have had thorough plans / tactics for the ABs. Judging by the last few games he has a good idea of how to handle us as well.

 

[Larksea]

Anyone here think Retallick should be benched?
30 minutes of rugby in the whole tournament.
As Larksea said, Tuipolotu and Barrett have been playing out off their skin.

Do we start Brodie?

its the biggest selection question along with who teams up with ALB in the midfield.
my guess is they start him and monitor how he goes. There is an option to have both Scott Barrett and Tuipulotu on the bench for extra lock cover

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Nigel Owen to ref apparently

 

[donmcdazzle]

Nigel Owen to ref apparently

I'm happy at least that it isn't a Frenchman.

How you you Irish fans feel about Nigel Owens?

 

[Zapphod]

Hansen sounds like he is preparing for war in this one, hopefully the players have that mentality too.

Seems like they are too busy having a holiday and fan boying with some NBA players.

Losing to Ireland would be pretty had to take tbh. The Irish already have heads as big as the moon, imagine the state of them if they take us out.

I don't actually think it gets any easier if we do win this one tbh. England, Aussie and South Africa are probably more fearsome IMO.

AB's should have the Japanese fans in their pocket, they like the AB's humble warrior nature LOL.

The last thing in the world Hansen should (would) be doing is winding up his players onto a "war" footing, that is the mentality that stuffed up the Argentinian's by getting them so worked up they ended up with a red card.

As for the rest, the All Blacks have a bit of an advantage in that they know if they play well they can beat anyone.
My prediction is even more simple, if our loose forward trio play well we will win if not then we lose.