The IRISH RUGBY thread

[Capt Pat]

It was a great performance from Ireland. Keeping the all blacks from scoring a try in a winning effort is some achievement.

We have some squad of players at this stage with real strength in depth at all positions with the possible exception of winger. If he is still playing well I would take Zebo to the world cup. There is no harm done in breaking that self imposed rule with a world cup on the line.

[Mikhail Prokhorov]

another friendly win for the guoys, il be back when they actually win a knock out match that matters 

[Main Street]

NZ herald and top rugby reporter Gregor Paul,
not falling for the misfiring All Black's excuse

Ireland can now claim to be the best team in the world after producing a stunning performance that was brave, creative and relentless.

They deserved the win and with it, they deserve to be seen as world rugby's best team even if the rankings don't agree.

They were unbreakable. They were so resolute that you have to wonder what was in each and every one of heir engines.

It will be a long, long time before we witness a performance that brave. They were the better team. They had an answer to everything the All Blacks threw at them and they never panicked, never looked overawed by the occasion.
As for the All Blacks, they were almost as good and that is something that will hurt. The word almost. It's not normally there but the truth of things at the moment is that Ireland versus New Zealand is the great rivalry of the modern age.

And maybe, just maybe, Ireland having won two of the last three can say they are edging it.
They kept New Zealand try-less and that's something in itself that speaks to their quality. And talking of quality, it has to be acknowledged that this was the game of the season – a brilliant frenetic test, drive to an emotional frenzy by an atmosphere that was electric.
There was plenty of character about the way the All Blacks kept fighting to find that one break – that one moment that would give them what they needed, what they wanted, but just not enough composure and clinical edge.

What made it so special was the commitment. It's rare indeed to see two teams give such compelling defensive performances in the same game.
It hardly happened in the first half and it became apparent that the speed of the opening 40 minutes and the amount of effort both team had put in, that there was going to be a different ball game to be had in the second half. Or at least later in the game when fatigue had to bite and the contest had to start opening up.

Patience was going to be the critical factor. Ireland weren't going to give up anything easily. They were going to scrap for every ball, give all they had to make every tackle and find a way to keep the All Blacks out.

And if there was something the All Blacks didn't have it was patience. They were too eager to throw the pass that wasn't on. Too jittery when chances came their way.

Kieran Read couldn't gather a charge down when the line was open. Barrett threw a pass back to an Irishman after he'd broken free. Reiko Ioane did the same and it looked like the pressure had got to the All Blacks.

Ireland's relentless defence had unnerved them. They played like they were a little red in the head – not blue as they want to be in these big games.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=12162088

[Ball Hopper]

So who will be more motivated if they meet again in 2019?

[Farrandeelin]

Why is it even in the most positive of situations there's some tïts who think they're smart enough to do an end-around on logic and play the cardboard cutout contrarian? The usual crap here.

Finally, you have come out Sy and have been frank with your chronic shortcomings. Is it the 10 step program? regardless, I wish you well on your journey.

You try so hard to get quips in but they usually fall as flat as Monaghan's attack.

Says a Roscommon man...the irony.

[LCohen]

Soccer and rugby are different. Any comparison is strained/forced

The reality is beating BZ at rugby is one of the most difficult challenges in sport. Last night we succeeded in that challenge. A cause for celebration and only a knob wouldn't see that or bring themselves to admit that.

Added satisfaction comes the fact that this was no fluke, it is something we have built towards, NZ picked their best available side, were not impacted by a significant number of injuries and were desperate to get a result (there is no way that losing to Ireland in their last head to head before the RWC was in any way acceptable to Hansen)

[Hardy]

The thing is there's room for improvement in this team. There were a number of errors that can be worked on, so it's not as if we've peaked early.

[Shamrock Shore]

Am I wrong in thinking Rory Best is a weak link in that team?

[Milltown Row2]

Am I wrong in thinking Rory Best is a weak link in that team?

Well the manager coach, who'd be best placed to know stuff about rugby,  thinks not. If we look at his replacement last night, was he better?

[Main Street]

3 or 4 line outs were lost after Rory's departure.

[Milltown Row2]

3 or 4 line outs were lost after Rory's departure.

Best game is more than line outs but you're right about that. Best must have better leader qualities and he puts in serious tackles during the game

[RedHand88]

So are our West Brits Champions of the 9 Country Rugby World or what? ??
If not why are there so many bandwagoners most of whom never seen a club rubby game in their lives yahooing and roaring tonight?

How dare you say it's a 9 country sport... it's 10 when you count Argentina.

[Owen Brannigan]

Am I wrong in thinking Rory Best is a weak link in that team?

Only in the minds of some Leinster and Munster people.

Cronin has some extra speed but his line outs last night prevented Ireland putting up quite a score on NZ.

Best is still the best option in terms of experience, all round game and leadership.  Look how many times he was into the ruck with O'Mahoney, how well he led the scrum and how he took the right decisions for the team.

When Sexton, he who would be captain, wanted to go again for the line out at the end of the first half, Best told him to take the score, impetuous Sexton wasn't pleased but those 3 points made it a two score game for a long time and made it more difficult for NZ.  That's what you get with Best, he may not be the best hooker but he brings much more to the team than Cronin, Scannell or Herring.

Fair play to Toner on last nights performance given being out of favour as first choice for a while.

[manfromdelmonte]

Am I wrong in thinking Rory Best is a weak link in that team?

Only in the minds of some Leinster and Munster people.

Cronin has some extra speed but his line outs last night prevented Ireland putting up quite a score on NZ.

Best is still the best option in terms of experience, all round game and leadership.  Look how many times he was into the ruck with O'Mahoney, how well he led the scrum and how he took the right decisions for the team.

When Sexton, he who would be captain, wanted to go again for the line out at the end of the first half, Best told him to take the score, impetuous Sexton wasn't pleased but those 3 points made it a two score game for a long time and made it more difficult for NZ.  That's what you get with Best, he may not be the best hooker but he brings much more to the team than Cronin, Scannell or Herring.

Fair play to Toner on last nights performance given being out of favour as first choice for a while.

Lineouts were cat as all the lineout leaders were off
No Toner, no POM and it falls apart

[sam03/05]

Winning a pre season friendly is not much to get excited about
Give me a shout after the world cup see what happens then