World Cup: Ireland’s moment of truth against New Zealand in the quarter-finals
The poster that the rugby world has been waiting for before the start of the competition: the legendary New Zealand vs. an Irish generation that has been treading water (and its opponents) since the summer of 2022 and their tour has achieved two wins to one. In all blacks.
After the first defeat in Auckland (42-19), the Irish turned the tables with wins in Dunedin (23-12) and Wellington (32-22). Since then, they have been unstoppable and have maintained an impressive streak, which was particularly marked by their Grand Slam win at the 2023 Six Nations.
Andy Farrell’s men prepared well, overcame all the challenges in group play, and beat world champions South Africa (13-8), before dispersing Scotland with intelligence and tenacity both offensively and defensively (36-14).
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All while leaving the impression that they are ruthless and completely in control, as is their thirty-strong long roster, all of whom are at the top of their game when it comes time to take on the All Blacks. Starting with their teacher, Johnny Sexton (38 years old), who is participating in the World Cup for the fourth time.
It will take it to knock out the All Blacks in this final before time and finally get past the quarter-finals. Because Ireland, currently the No. 1 country in the World Rugby rankings, have never reached a World Cup final.
“The past is the past,” New Zealand coach Ian Foster said. “We all carry the weight of the past when we play this type of game. “The key is to clear our heads and that is the state of mind we will be in,” he added, while an early exit will certainly put the three-time world champions into crisis.
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“This is an Irish team on a mission. It’s not just the last 12 months, it’s something that’s been happening now for five or six years. When they outperform you a few times, you obviously respect them. We have to pay tribute to their form,” praised the technician.
In terms of form, the All Blacks aren’t bad either. After their opening defeat to France (27-13), they compensated for that by crushing Namibia (71-3), Italy (96-17) and Uruguay (73-0) in front of 36 tests to choose from. !
Sam Kane, captain of the New Zealand national team, admitted in a press conference, saying: “We are facing the best team in the world.” “The loser goes home. We know that we have to show strength but also mental freedom and the desire to play. We have already done that in the past. And everything indicates that we are in a good position to do it again. »
But the stats don’t speak in the All Blacks’ favour. Since the World Cup in Japan and the defeat inflicted on the New Zealanders at XV du Trèfle in the quarter-finals (46-14), the men in green have won three of their last four meetings.
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Saint Denis (Stade de France). Referee: Mr. Barnes (M.).
Ireland. Keenan; Hansen, Ringrose, Ake, Lowe; (S) Sexton (Cap), (M) Gibson Park; van der Flier, Doris, O’Mahony; Henderson, Byrne; Furlong, Sheehan, Porter. Alternatives: Kelleher, Kilcoyne, Pelham, McCarthy, Coonan, Murray, Crowley, O’Brien.
New Zealand. B. Barrett; Jordan, Ioane, J. Barrett, Vainjaanuku; (S) Muunga, (M) Smith; Cane (Cap), Savea, Frizzle; S. Barrett, Retaleck; Lomax, Taylor, De Groot. Alternatives: Coles, Williams, Newell, Whitlock, Papalii, Christie, Mackenzie, Lehnert-Brown.
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