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Ex-Irish fullback on what Ireland 'would love' about facing the All Blacks
By Ben Smith
The All Blacks 96-17 win over Italy made some viewers uncomfortable but Ireland won’t be one of them according to former Irish fullback Rob Kearney.
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Whilst a range of outcomes is still possible with neither pool A or pool B determined yet, Ireland face the prospect of facing New Zealand in a do-or-die quarter-final.
After watching Italy get demolished, Kearney said the thing his former team ‘would love’ about the All Blacks is the difference in defence with South Africa and France.
“I think if there is one weakness to this New Zealand team, it’s the defence,” Kearney told Virgin Media Sport.
“They are very passive, they give the opposition a lot of time and space on the ball that the Irish attackers would love.
“They are not nearly as aggressive as South Africa or France are.”
Despite conceding 96 points Italy still managed to produce two tries out wide through well-constructed play.
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The first to Ange Capuozzo came from a strike play that manipulated the All Blacks’ edge and the shifty finisher took advantage.
Monty Ioane managed to combine with former England prospect Paolo Odogwu to score late in the exact same corner.
Kearney explained that it was Italy’s ability to score 17 points that will have Ireland confident that they can exploit the same space more effectively.
“We saw Italy get around them three or four times tonight and quite early on in the first five minutes they just didn’t have the skillset to do anything with that space that they manipulated,” he said.
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“Certainly, defensively from this All Blacks team, I think Ireland, should we get there in a quarter-final, will be able to exploit quite a bit of space.”
The All Blacks have seen the capabilities of Ireland’s attack which dismantled them in the final two Tests in New Zealand last year.
Ireland were able to score the first try in all three Tests, each time in the first 10 minutes after breaking through the line early.
Australian coach Matt Williams agreed that the time the All Blacks’ defence offers teams is ‘huge’ for a team like Ireland.
During Ireland’s battle with South Africa their attack failed to really get going for multiple reasons, one of them was the slow ruck speed and the oncoming rush from the Springboks line.
“The South African defence is the unique defence in this tournament. They are so compact and so hard,” Williams said.
“Harder and faster and more compact than any other team, where Scotland’s defence is similar to New Zealand’s but not identical.
“Any defence that allows Ireland time to get in three passes, we saw the New Zealand defence allow the Italians to get in three passes, that will cause them trouble.
“Because if Ireland can get three passes in, they are very creative.
“Very, very creative on space and attacking that space. We saw against the South Africans, Ireland just couldn’t get to three passes very often, when they did they did a good job.
“If they can multiply those opportunities, especially if they get their lineout working, it doesn’t make it easier but it’s less awkward.
“They give you that extra second, which is huge. Huge in decision-making in international rugby.”
His name is MacKenzie Hansen, to be sure to be sure. You are not the only smart alec in Ireland. 😉
All Saffa, and I mean all, know that the real test in rugby has been and still is facing the ABs. The NH sides are really good now, but every year the games between the SH and NH are played when both hemispheres are actually playing at ‘end’ of season or start of season, and often teams are not at full strength. The real test comes at WC time when all sides have an equal time for prep and player availability.
The current Irish side is their best ever from a player and coaching perspective. Wonderful side. The ABs side currently is a very average AB side, definitely from player and coaching perspective. But we all are very unsure if Ireland can beat them. This says a lot about the underlying strength in AB rugger. All I will say to the Irish is be quiet, pitch up as you are going to face a side that can score tries quicker and from further out than any other side on the planet. I am a Saffa, but know only to well what facing the ABs is like.
I’m happy that Ireland are looking forward to playing NZ in the quarters if they get there, last year they they were really good in the last two games to win the series 😀 the difference this season is it’s a different side. They’ve learnt the lesson of professional fouls IE: putting their heads down to milk a penalty & try & slow the game down to what 27 mins? Gone of the days when rugby was a spectacle! If Ireland do face the all blacks it will a contrast of styles
The only thing that matters is who wins the final of the world cup. All other trophies including 6 nations, bledislo, rugby chsmioshi are on a lower plane. The two teams that have racked up the most wins are the boks and ABs. I'll be putting my money on them when crunch time comes. The irish fans seem to be counting their chickens a little early. No offence intended, they have a great team, but really they are just knocking at the door... Let's remember, they haven't even got past Scotland yet and have never got past the quarter finals. Where is all this arrogance coming from????
I agree. My wife was sitting here going "jeez- you've scored 96 points and you're upset?!!" Damn right I'm upset. Ireland will thrash us if we give them that much time. Hope we sort it out before then...
Italy made 20 pts to Irish defense in 6 nations and 17 pts in match preparation World Cup in August !
Did they forget ??
So imagine how much all blacks will give them ??🤣🤣🤣
These clowns talk much for nothing .
Defense springboks ?? All blacks won 35-20 in rugby championships vs them !