RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2)
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So far it just seems to be a masterclass from Hansen and his coaches, Despite my complaints about leaving J. Ioane at home and B Smith out of the 23, the selections have been outstanding so far. The balance of experience and youth has been perfect, even if it would have been easier to go the conservative route Hansen has been aggressive and it’s paid off. The young Crusaders in the backs have repaid Hansen’s faith enormously. Also amazing is tactically the ABs seem to be adjusting to the rush defenses and defensively they also seem to be going lower in the tackle. Was always confident ABs would win by more than a try but the possibility of a hiding was material and that’s what we got. Bring on England.
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The definite shift in our tactics, to avoid traditional rucks wherever possible, has significantly sped up the game and negated a strength for many opposition teams. Ireland were faking injuries after about 25 minutes because they were totally gassed. So clearly we are as fit or fitter than everyone else too
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@canefan also they used the off load just prior to contact alot more than normal too, just got that extra metre or so but bent the line forcing Ireland to adjust again and again.
ABs have stepped up a gear, adapted to the rush defence they had struggled with since 2017, England will now need to look at thier game and look at where to exploit the ABs.
Lamour probably the only Irish backline threat and he wasnt there form the start.
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@canefan yeah, even when abs win they change. When they lose, badly (Ireland and lions series, plus some crap Vs Oz and boks, close to England), the change is even bigger and better. Evolve or get wasted. And man have the ABs evolved, just amazing coaching.
Ireland got a winning formula and kept it. For two years, far too long at international rugby level.
…and this from Niall Quinn
“Ireland have a plan to expose the offside ABs all day. NZ have never scored a try against our defence coach Andy Farrell. NZ will give away over 20 points as referee Nigel lays down the laws. Irish players grow an extra arm and leg against the ABs especially as underdogs. Ye dream about the world cup final whilst Ireland win this quarter final. This is Irish rugby history made by a team who know what it feels like to defeat the mighty ABs. Only once before have NZ got dumped out in the quarters. By an underated northern hemisphere side. The best of luck to each team but NZ will be held tryless by Ireland again and Ireland will be in the semi finals.”Are we going to see some pie eaten and apologies/mea culpa published? Like fuck, not checked but there will be ' ABs were great but Nige let them do it' articles everywhere in Ireland.
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@voodoo said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
I don't know how some of you guys manage to comment during the game, you must be better typists than me (not saying much), I'd miss half the action if I tried.
It's also pretty fun to wake up with a smile on my face, make a BLT and sit down with a coffee to scroll through the 1000+ posts here over brekkie.
Happy days!
Same here. After what felt like two minutes to grab another beer there were another 10 pages - gave up during most of the second half so I could enjoy the game.
Woke up, made coffee, bacon and eggs, wind has died down, cloudless day. Things are pretty good.
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@Machpants said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@canefan yeah, even when abs win they change. When they lose, badly (Ireland and lions series, plus some crap Vs Oz and boks, close to England), the change is even bigger and better. Evolve or get wasted. And man have the ABs evolved, just amazing coaching.
Ireland got a winning formula and kept it. For two years, far too long at international rugby level.
…and this from Niall Quinn
“Ireland have a plan to expose the offside ABs all day. NZ have never scored a try against our defence coach Andy Farrell. NZ will give away over 20 points as referee Nigel lays down the laws. Irish players grow an extra arm and leg against the ABs especially as underdogs. Ye dream about the world cup final whilst Ireland win this quarter final. This is Irish rugby history made by a team who know what it feels like to defeat the mighty ABs. Only once before have NZ got dumped out in the quarters. By an underated northern hemisphere side. The best of luck to each team but NZ will be held tryless by Ireland again and Ireland will be in the semi finals.”Are we going to see some pie eaten and apologies/mea culpa published? Like fuck, not checked but there will be ' ABs were great but Nige let them do it' articles everywhere in Ireland.
Fuck 'em. And who cares what some old soccer player thinks?
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@canefan said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
The definite shift in our tactics, to avoid traditional rucks wherever possible, has significantly sped up the game and negated a strength for many opposition teams. Ireland were faking injuries after about 25 minutes because they were totally gassed. So clearly we are as fit or fitter than everyone else too
Certainly looked that way. Ireland could not have been any slower getting to lineouts, or any set piece for that matter. Was really pissing me off.
The way the ABs (and now Japan) play really is good to watch and is winning matches so fck the slow pokes.
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@Snowy said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@canefan said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
The definite shift in our tactics, to avoid traditional rucks wherever possible, has significantly sped up the game and negated a strength for many opposition teams. Ireland were faking injuries after about 25 minutes because they were totally gassed. So clearly we are as fit or fitter than everyone else too
Certainly looked that way. Ireland could not have been any slower getting to lineouts, or any set piece for that matter. Was really pissing me off.
The way the ABs (and now Japan) play really is good to watch and is winning matches so fck the slow pokes.
And Barnes on the aussie panel , was saying before the game, ireland need to slow the game right down, like that is good tactics
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@Machpants vast majority of the social media stuff I have seen, very little moaning, just congrats to ABs and comiserations to the Irish.
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Ireland played really bad, though. Huge number of handling errors, some of them unforced. Plus the missed PK touchfinders.
Could never get into the game.
Like they were too tense, trying 'too hard'. A good team desperately trying to reach their former heights but instead snatching at it rather than feeling in the groove. Must be so frustrated.
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@canefan said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@Frank said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
Is Sam Cane okay?
They said wrist injury. Looked okay at the final handshake
Also said it was precautionary, so hopefully he is all good.
Always thought that he seemed more like a blindside in his style to me. Just hammering in defence and set the tone last night.
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@Rapido pretty sure Hansen mentioned at the RWC Squad announcement how much pressure affects people and wondered if some (many said he was making a barb at Ireland) would be able to handle it with the weight of expectation on them.
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Black magic casts spell over Ireland as book slams shut on the Schmidt years
Ireland unable to find anything like the best of themselves against peerless New Zealand
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@Snowy said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
@Rapido said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
Plus the missed PK touchfinders.
Some outstanding athleticism from ABs there too.
Absolutely. There was a mix of everything going right for us and everything going wrong for Ireland. Summed up perfectly by some of those missed PK touchfinders.
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Loved the way we really tried to keep the game fast to not allow the Irish defense to set. There was one point where Read ripped the ball off one of our tackled players and then handed it to Smith who was right next to him so he could fire it wide again, avoiding the ruck altogether. That's really hard to defend against and doesn't even allow for a rush defense.
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@No-Quarter said in RWC: All Blacks v Ireland (QF2):
Loved the way we really tried to keep the game fast to not allow the Irish defense to set. There was one point where Read ripped the ball off one of our tackled players and then handed it to Smith who was right next to him so he could fire it wide again, avoiding the ruck altogether. That's really hard to defend against and doesn't even allow for a rush defense.
Yep. Our powder is now not so dry, or is even exposed, so to speak. I'm not sure how anyone counters it either? Eddie is shrewd though...
