[RWC2023 QF2] Ireland vs New Zealand (14/10/2023)

[40/20]

my pessimistic reply...didnt he have the job of opposition analyst when we lost to Ireland at home last year?...and that was when things would have been much more similar to when he left them so should have had a bit of existing knowledge

Did Foster keep him for the 2nd and 3rd tests when he returned from covid? I remember Joe came in for the first test but can't recall what happened after that.

 

[Kiwiwomble]

Did Foster keep him for the 2nd and 3rd tests when he returned from covid? I remember Joe came in for the first test but can't recall what happened after that.

my understanding is he got the oppo analysis job just before the irish tour...then fozzie got COVID and went into iso and he stepped up for that first game...then fozzie came back and he was still the opposition analyst

 

[Zac_ETNZ]

The biggest edge Ireland have over us is Foster: he even admitted this week that we lost to Ireland last year because "we weren't as well-prepared as we should have been"!! Not shite, Sherlock!! Ireland beat 2 selections you put in front of them, with no real game-plan.

Other than our team, Ireland is the next team I'd like to see winning the RWC. If they beat us this weekend, I'll root for them to take it out.

But I believe we'll beat them.

 

[munstermuffin]

Peter O'Mahony is the most nasty player in international rugby. What he said to Duhan van der Merwe last game, "You are not good enough to be a Springbok" and what he said to Sam Cane last year: "You are a shitt* Richie McCaw"

The lad is a bonehead, he doesn't represent the true values of this sport

Funnily they have 4 Kiwis and 2 Aussies in their team. Say to Bundee Aki or James Lowe that they weren't good enough to play for NZ

Well actually James Lowe was touted as an All Black and in many peoples eyes should have made it but left for bigger payday as he has artirithis or something in knee and didn't know full extent of how long a career he would.
Bundee also left more so due to being wild off the field.

But believe me alot worst has been said to Bundee and James Lowe in Thomond Park and CJ in D4

 

[munstermuffin]

On games in NZ we scored very early in those games and kept our noses in front. I think we need to do same again but we are fresher this time which is good as those tests were after a grueling season.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

my pessimistic reply...didnt he have the job of opposition analyst when we lost to Ireland at home last year?...and that was when things would have been much more similar to when he left them so should have had a bit of existing knowledge

Ahh .... yeah good point....I'm clutching at straws here

 

[rugbynumberones]

Ireland are number one for a reason. won't say's it gonna be easy. But it's gonna be easyish.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Leinster Fan]

Definitely the strongest team we've ever named at this stage. Hopefully Hansen is actually fit and they're not just naming him in hope knowing he might pull out later. Pity about Ryan but Henderson seems to have hit form again at the right time, we've avoided any debilitating injuries thankfully. Glad to see Jimmy in there, good option to have given wing cover is all the more important this week. (Also will hopefully mean we don't end up with a 36 year old Earls against the All Blacks, a prospect that has been giving me nightmares since the weekend).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Jimmy and Big Joe

 

[munstermuffin]

Some things hit me seeing that team.
1. How fit is Mack. I suspect Keith Earls will start there and Jimmy is on bench as he is more hybrid than McCloskey.
2. Equally possible Earls and Henshaw aren't near fitness.
3. Joe McCarthy over Ryan Baird says physicality is key in our game this weekend.

It's a team that is good enough and no complaints over selections just hope it isn't a case not giving Jimmy gametime comes back to hurt us and lads keep form up and embrace the challenge. Porter needs to put in huge shift and I think Aki and Ringrose need to deliver one of their best days in green.

Edit: Just saw Earls is out as is Hensha and strangely James Ryan had a procedure on his wrist but will be available if we win this weekend.

 

[Ferrari333SP]

Very strong team

 

[TRF_Olyy]

just hope it isn't a case not giving Jimmy gametime comes back to hurt us

Sounds like he was injured for most of the pool stage, from Farrell's comments

 

[Leinster Fan]

Sounds like he was injured for most of the pool stage, from Farrell's comments

To be fair McCloskey hadn't played until last week and stepped in without any issues, and if it was Earls instead of JOB I'm not sure that 65 minutes against Romania a month ago would have made a huge difference.

 

[Smurfy]

McCloskey was superb when he came in last week, and he's unlucky to miss out this week, but I think Farrell is right to go with JOB. We need his versatility because there was far too much positional disruption last Saturday.

 

[Zac_ETNZ]

The players are virtually running their own coaching and gaming sessions with very little input from Foster. On-field dynamic decision-making is a significant disadvantage with Cane as captain - he shouldn't be in the team. He knocked-on in his first touch off the bench .
Senior players need to lead by example for us not to lose.

 

[munstermuffin]

Sounds like he was injured for most of the pool stage, from Farrell's comments

Yeah seen that after. He went off in that warm up game injured too.

Think Jimmy over McCloskey is more because wings are more an issue than centre. Crowley is covering 12 I have heard too

 

[OllyM97]

As good as the All Blacks can be on any given day, if Ireland play to the best of their ability then I think they will do this. It will be a great game because I expect the ABs to turn up this week, so Ireland will have to pull out a huge performance, but I think they will. It just feels like their time. Ireland 32 New Zealand 27.

 

[IT157]

As good as the All Blacks can be on any given day, if Ireland play to the best of their ability then I think they will do this. It will be a great game because I expect the ABs to turn up this week, so Ireland will have to pull out a huge performance, but I think they will. It just feels like their time. Ireland 32 New Zealand 27.

Let's hope so.

 

[Zac_ETNZ]

As good as the All Blacks can be on any given day, if Ireland play to the best of their ability then I think they will do this. It will be a great game because I expect the ABs to turn up this week, so Ireland will have to pull out a huge performance, but I think they will. It just feels like their time. Ireland 32 New Zealand 27.

It will depend on how Ireland handles the pressures of a nation's expectations, favouritism status in the match as No.1 team, and their historical QF exits. We've been there, done that and we wear the scars as forever reminders.

The All Blacks are playing under a new experience - as underdogs. My only concern is they will play as underdogs mentally, instead of the conviction that the are reclaiming their throne.

The winner of this QF will win the final.

47-21 to the All Blacks