Ireland in NZ

[PCPhil]

Wow. Some try.

[C69]

wow 3- 22

[Blackmac]

The AB's are playing the way Ireland are allowing them to play.

[Torquemada 1420]

Agreed. They seem reduced here to kicking and hoping, I’d say right now it’s 50/50 as to whether Ireland are going to pull their pants down in the second half

It's a myth than peak NZ were a ball running team. They kicked more than most: but smart. Pressurised the opponents and then used their superior skills in broken play (usually from poor kicking or also from turnovers) to kill opponents.

Trouble is now they do not have the physicality to force those turnovers or poor kicks from oppos and they cannot play harem scarum in bad situations.

Much as it p*sses me off, Fra use the same tactic of playing without the ball: but are the best counter attacking side at present.

Ireland seem to have fixed their inability to turn pressure into points on this tour........ and that should worry everyone else.

[Slick]

I think Ireland deserve a bit of credit, it’s not all about New Zealand being shit

Absolutely. Dominating tests away from home is no mean feat and their execution here has been superb

100%, it’s incredibly impressive

[Thor Sedan]

I think Ireland deserve a bit of credit, it’s not all about New Zealand being shit

Um....Ireland have been getting a ton of credit. They are a far better side than NZ at the moment.

The issue is that NZ are unable to do the thing that they used to be good at - which is change.

I want to be very clear - Ireland are by far the better side.

[Biffer]

New Zealand look like Scotland playing against New Zealand.

[Slick]

Ireland making NZ look very ordinary. Ireland amazing in every department, beautiful rugby tackling, handling, defence all out of the top drawer.

Also being very careful at breakdowns to remain calm and not give away idiotic penalties. Great control

[Torquemada 1420]

NZ have to get Fakatava and Mounga on in the 2nd half.

Meantime, Tyalor continues to kill NZ on what little 1st phase ball they are getting.

[Paddington Bear]

Maybe we’re finally seeing the concentration of talent and resources in Europe bearing fruit. France and Ireland are excellent and for the other 3 of us as much as we whinge about our teams all three already have a win down south this summer, which is reasonably rare

[OomStruisbaai]

Barnes have been great.

[Lobby]

Ireland have cut out the errors they made in the first half last week and thoroughly deserve their lead. NZ are shambolic.

[boere wors]

Outstanding, Irland! Go on!

[Ymx]

Come on Ireland. Finish off Fozzy !!

[Thor Sedan]

Come on Ireland. Finish off Fozzy !!

So much this.

[redderneck]

Come on Ireland. Finish off Fozzy !!

Foot off the gas lads. We've made our point. Joey on, and enough blacklash rolling over us for the next 40 to keep Foster in his gig. Miraculous turnaround, genius coaching. That'll do it.

[convoluted]

... NZ look like a team playing yesterday’s rugby ...

Otherwise known as 'continuation coaching'.

[Kiwias]

Come on Ireland. Finish off Fozzy !!

I feel dirty but I agree with you. Let's see Ireland put 40 points on us

[Guy Smiley]

Come on Ireland. Finish off Fozzy !!

So much this.

Yeah, sadly that’s about it now.

[Blackmac]

Have the AB's actually been in the Irish 22 yet.

[Insane_Homer]

Have the AB's actually been in the Irish 22 yet.

your try

[OomStruisbaai]

That's better. Great try try

[Kiwias]

Have the AB's actually been in the Irish 22 yet.

Yours

[OomStruisbaai]

All Blacks play for 80 mins, make no mistake

[Torquemada 1420]

For me, NZ's biggest problem can be seen in an argument I keep having in regards Fre selection. In the current game laws, you have to be able to slow down opposition ruck ball and, if possible turn it over. The game is more what you do without the ball then what you do with it: which is why so many sides kick so much. See Kawazaki's complaints about the laws.

This role is typically that of the backrow's. And then your backrow has to operate as a unit. For Fra, Alldritt is a one man band...... but Fra get away with it because of what they have round the rest of the park. In the 6N, after Alldritt, the next highest turnover stats were Villiere, Danty and, I think, Fickou..... all backs. In addition, Dupont and Marchand are f**king menaces there for oppos.

Back to NZ: Cane is the one man show. Ioane and Savea are great carriers but are a luxury in those defensive duties. Papalii less so. But NZ don't have Fra's cover elsewhere. Only Reece really strikes me as that extra cover capability. Meantime, Ire's backrow unit is, by miles, the best in the world at this function (even if illegal, they play the laws as well as McCaw did). And it's a glaring difference in this game. Ire's moves are looking slick and easy because they are getting lightning fast ruck ball.

[OomStruisbaai]

Come on Ireland. Finish off Fozzy !!

So much this.

Yeah, sadly that’s about it now.

Vokken sad bunch you lot!

[Blackmac]

Have the AB's actually been in the Irish 22 yet.

your try

I was hoping for a tight game.

[Thor Sedan]

So much this.

Yeah, sadly that’s about it now.

Vokken sad bunch you lot!

We are...yes....very sad.

[Paddington Bear]

Ewels went for this

[Insane_Homer]

um, that should be Red.

[OomStruisbaai]

That's just shite.

[Torquemada 1420]

um, that should be Red.

By the laws, I agree. Sympathise with Porter though.

[Kiwias]

Ta'avao got red for an identical tackle but this was on a 2.05m monster yet they reckon Porter was not moving upward into the tackle. How else could his head hit the Lurch's head?

[Blackmac]

It is a big head to avoid.

[Paddington Bear]

At least he’s got no good looks to ruin.

Anyway, got a game of rugby on our hands now

[OomStruisbaai]

That's a great try. Turning point this.

[PCPhil]

Apparently his head but was an ‘absorbing’ head but.

[Kiwias]

Akira starting to impress a bit

[Tichtheid]

He shouldn’t be getting through four tackles like that

[Torquemada 1420]

Wondering if we are going to have to consider mandating the types of headguards worn in amateur rugby. Or, at least, in that Porter incident, it's yellow with a guard on and red without: players' choice then.