Ireland are determined to take advantage of what will be the last opportunity for many of their players at the World Cup
Before the start At the World Cup, I wondered whether Ireland could withstand the draining nature of going through a group consisting of defending champions South Africa and Scotland.
This was based on data from Ireland's campaigns in both 2015 and 2019, where their squads were not mature enough to cope with the physical demands required to qualify for the quarter-finals and peaked a year too early in the World Cup cycles.< /p>
For all the benefits of the IRFU's centralized contract system, we have also seen in recent years Saracens and La Rochelle in their wins over Leinster provide the lion's share of Ireland players that if a team is able to physically attack them, they can be brought down with To no avail.
However, judging by the way they topped their pool, Andy Farrell's side appear to have answered any doubts about their credentials as the number one team in the world.
Andy Farrell's team deserves No. 1 status. Photo: AP Photo/Themba Hadebe
This is the best Irish team we've probably had ever seen and I believe they can make history now. .
One of the most remarkable facts in the tournament's 36-year history is that for the second World Cup in a row, Ireland are ranked number one, but remain the only home nation never to finish in the last four.
I have direct experience—and, I guess, vicarious experience—of the previous 36 years of “resentment.” It was under my watch that Ireland were defeated by Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 1999 tournament.
In 2011, Ireland looked to have their best chance of reaching the final four since Michael Lina's last attempt at Lansdowne Road in 1991 ) after defeating Australia and leading their group.
By then I was already in my business. However, we are now in our third year as Wales manager and although we have kept a low profile during our progress through the pool, we have developed a plan to beat Declan Kidney's side.
At the last minute we changed the two plans. the forwards switch places, George North and Shane Williams switch positions.
The plan was to negate Ronan O'Gara's striking game and reinforce that strategy. We were probably the first team to effectively use two full-backs.
Most teams do this now, but in 2011 we set the trend of having a full-back and a wing cover the sidelines, depriving O& #39;Gara places to hit. This caused a lot of problems for Ireland and their growing frustration could be felt. We also showed incredible physical strength and, in the end, won the game convincingly.
Wales «was incredibly strong»; against Ireland in the 2011 quarter-finals, and also made a winning tactical change. Photo: David Davies/PA Wire
Currently standing in Ireland's way is a formidable All Blacks side who showed their worth by scoring 96 points against Italy. that even after the shackles are removed, they are still the best attacking side in the world, capable of tearing you apart when they get ahead.
But it’s a completely different matter if the game turns into arm wrestling. Besides, they are just as conservative as everyone else. Despite what Ian Foster said about attacking rugby, the All Blacks' «time on the ball» is significantly lower than many other teams. Wales have a comfortable time of possession longer than the other quarter-finalists.
And they haven't been as consistent as usual because I don't think they always know how they want to play.
The same cannot be said about Ireland.
The key difference at this World Cup is that Farrell appears to have had a major influence in making his team physically strong and resilient. His decision to play New Zealand on an extended tour in the summer of 2022 underscores that sentiment.
They have a core group of players who will potentially not be at the next World Cup and they appear determined to take advantage of the latest opportunity. They have an impressive balance between strong attacking power, cohesive attacking play and ruthless defence.
But what impresses me most is that after 17 consecutive Test wins, they seem to have forgotten how to lose.
It reminds me of how we continued on our way. streak of 14 straight wins in 2018–19. Just as losing can become a habit, winning can become a habit, and I see that in Ireland at the moment. They have the ability to maintain composure even if the situation changes during the game, and they understand that the moment to strike will come and that the opponent's period of dominance will not last long.
This is the sign of a really good team: they are able to endure pressure and, when given the chance, ruthlessly score points when opportunities arise.
New Zealand will no doubt see this done equally effectively. their World Cup final. If they beat Ireland they will no doubt back themselves to beat Wales or Argentina in the semi-finals. I think both teams realize how big this game is.
Like Ireland, there are a number of All Blacks players who are unlikely to be in the game in four years' time and they won't want their last World Cup experience to be eliminated in the quarter-finals.
By all rights. According to the words, there is not much love lost between the two sides. I understand that some of the Irish players in New Zealand made some comments during their tour last year and the All Blacks don't tend to forget things like that.
I expect the All Blacks to be really straight in the first 30 minutes . I think they will go all out and make the game of rugby incredibly physical.
I think back to the Lions' first Test defeat in Auckland in 2017 and that's exactly what they did to us. . It was strange that they seemed to move away from this tactic in the second and third Tests.
If New Zealand work hard in the first half then if the game breaks down a bit they have the firepower. to exploit the space later in the game.
But for the first time at the quarter-final stage, it finally looks like Ireland have the advantage.
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