NZ view of Ireland’s win over Australia

[blackwarrior]

This is from the Sunday Star Times, the biggest NZ broadsheet newspaper. Also carried in stuff.co.nz. on this link.



It speaks about a possible NZ-Ireland meeting in the RWC semis. I
think it's interesting because it appears that we are awakening their
interest, just a bit.....

<h2>Ireland timing their World Cup run just right</font></h2>


TUESDAY , 21 NOVEMBER 2006</font>




By MICHAEL DONALDSON in Cardiff</font>

What a
weekend for the Irish. First their rugby team beats Australia by a record margin
and then their top golfer Padraig Harrington beats Tiger Woods in a playoff
courtesy of a miracle shot to win a big tournament in Japan.
[img]/inl/images/flags/cam1.gif[/img] IRE v AUS - 1ST HALF HIGHLIGHTS</font> [img]/inl/images/flags/cam1.gif[/img] 2ND HALF HIGHLIGHTS</font>
[img]/inl/images/flags/cam1.gif[/img] IRE v SA - 1ST HALF HIGHLIGHTS</font> [img]/inl/images/flags/cam1.gif[/img] 2ND HALF HIGHLIGHTS</font> </font>



</font>


Harrington, a player who has yet to win a major, might have got the rub of
the green to beat Woods but it took more than luck to get into the showdown with
the world No 1. Similarly the rise and rise of Eddie O'Sullivan's green-shirted
men, who have yet to win rugby's major tournament, is the product of skill and
years of development.
</font>


Their showdown with the world No 1 is less than a year away with Ireland
drawn to face the All Blacks in the knock-out stages.
</font>


Based on the past two weeks, the All Blacks will be have to be on top of
their game at the World Cup to avoid losing to Ireland for the first time.
</font>


Ireland thoroughly stuffed South Africa two weeks ago and then, even with
changes such as New Zealand-born Issac Boss starting at halfback, they dealt to
Australia 21-6 in appalling conditions. They are wins New Zealand would be happy
to take on any given day.
</font>


Even three years ago this didn't seem possible, not because Ireland didn't
have the skills, but because they didn't have the confidence and the self-belief
- Brian O'Driscoll aside - to be world beaters.
</font>


The World Cup has dealt Ireland some doses of bad luck, most notably against
Australia when they let in a late try to lose a quarterfinal in 1991 and then
the narrow loss in pool play to the home side in 2003. A series of drop goals
that would have won the match narrowly missed and the result sent O'Sullivan's
men to a losing quarterfinal date w

[Sailor]

Certainly looks like Irelands form in the AI's have made people sit up and notice.
Thanks for the article Black warrior.

[danthefan]

What Ireland lacks is a really good openside flanker

[img]smileys/biggrin.gif[/img]
</font>

[Cathal]

Too bad they're wrong, eh Dan?

[danthefan]

A stinging rebuke.

Anyway, I'm surprised they've written a whole article on us to be honest. I always reckoned we were kinda off the radar of the big rugby nations. I'm also surprised this guy is showing so much respect for us, I think we should be really flattered by:

"...the All Blacks will be have to be on top of
their game at the World Cup to avoid losing to Ireland for the first time..."


</font>

[Cathal]

It doesn't need to be stinging because it is so obviously wrong.

[Fly_caster]

Where's the old embarrased smiley when you need it[img]smileys/wink.gif[/img]


Is this Guy for real ?


Yes we played well, but I think we are a good jump away from being a real thrat to the AB's. Nonetheless, nice to see an artcle singing the praises of our boys.

[shtove]

Well, the ABs still haven't got their midfield settled, and that's key to them winning against a team that can put them under pressure. All that counter-attacking is not going to win the RWC by itself. The way we played in the first half against Oz would put them under pressure, and our midfield is established and getting better.

[onthe 22]

Beware sounds of faint praise from the antipodes.If we do the grand slam lets start to dare to believe we might get out of the group and move on to better things. Still its as impartial a take on the day as you will get.

[toomey]

A stinging rebuke.

Anyway, I'm surprised they've written a whole article on us to be honest. I always reckoned we were kinda off the radar of the big rugby nations. I'm also surprised this guy is showing so much respect for us, I think we should be really flattered by:

"...the All Blacks will be have to be on top of their game at the World Cup to avoid losing to Ireland for the first time..."

Why would we be flattered? As POC has pointed out we are now genuine contenders for the WC. We don`t have the back up but our first 22 will take alot of beating. We showed that in June and I think the players realised that after the defeats.


A stinging rebuke? Wallace is the best openside in the NH.

[dino]

I was starting to believe we really are number 2 in the world at the moment but I think we have to see how things pan out over the 6 nations and WRC.


We've won nothing.....beating 2 southern hemisphere teams in friendlies is one thing....winning a 6 nations, a grand slam or a world cup, then we can rightly laud our ability.


Having said that the progress of this Irish team is outstanding. We're on the right track and I'm hopeful that come theNew Year we'll be real contenders for the 6 Nations.With regards to the WRC, if we get out of our group I'll be satisfied. After that each game is almost a 50/50...even against the might NZ.

[Clubman]

Surprising article as I kind of expected a total put down of more normal NZ style. But before we lose the run of ourselves, I think Campo hit on something we might bear in mind too. Good players is one thing, but how committed were they? That goes for SA also. Both OZ and South Africa regarded this tour as a pain in the butt and loads of their best stayed at home to charge the batteries. Rest assured they will be different come RWC 2007.


However, the dose of confidence is a huge thing for our guys to have come out of it with. Next step has to be a championship - a banana will be forgiven if it is not at home. England and France must be put to the sword. Bigtime.

[who?]

Beware sounds of faint praise from the antipodes.If we do the grand slam lets start to dare to believe we might get out of the group and move on to better things. Still its as impartial a take on the day as you will get.

I don't think it is faint praise. In my experience the New Zealand media &amp; fans are about as tight with compliments as Ruck is with his confirmation money - they are very hard to please; and in light of that this is a ringing endorsement.

[danthefan]

A stinging rebuke.

Anyway, I'm surprised they've written a whole article on us to be honest. I always reckoned we were kinda off the radar of the big rugby nations. I'm also surprised this guy is showing so much respect for us, I think we should be really flattered by:

"...the All Blacks will be have to be on top of their game at the World Cup to avoid losing to Ireland for the first time..."


</font>

Why would we be flattered? As POC has pointed out we are now genuine contenders for the WC. We don`t have the back up but our first 22 will take alot of beating. We showed that in June and I think the players realised that after the defeats.


A stinging rebuke? Wallace is the best openside in the NH.

Wallace thing is a joke, shut up about it.

And just because POC says something doesn't just make it true. You'll find our captain BOD and coach EOS have both said it's nonsense to call us contenders. We played two limited sides in my opinion, getting too far ahead of ourselves will be fatal.

[SpringPOC]

I was starting to believe we really are number 2 in the world at the moment but I think we have to see how things pan out over the 6 nations and WRC.


We've won nothing.....beating 2 southern hemisphere teams in friendlies is one thing....winning a 6 nations, a grand slam or a world cup, then we can rightly laud our ability.


Having said that the progress of this Irish team is outstanding. We're on the right track and I'm hopeful that come theNew Year we'll be real contenders for the 6 Nations.With regards to the WRC, if we get out of our group I'll be satisfied. After that each game is almost a 50/50...even against the might NZ.

Big must win matches in the 6 nations will be France at home and Wales away


If we win those games then the six nationsshould be in the bag,


then we can get excited about the world cup, personally I think the ABs have peaked and wouldundoubtably want to have the RWC played right now, the only way is down for them......


a yearis a very long time in rugby

[blackadder]

Surprising article as I kind of expected a total put down of more normal NZ style. But before we lose the run of ourselves, I think Campo hit on something we might bear in mind too. Good players is one thing, but how committed were they? That goes for SA also. Both OZ and South Africa regarded this tour as a pain in the butt and loads of their best stayed at home to charge the batteries. Rest assured they will be different come RWC 2007.


However, the dose of confidence is a huge thing for our guys to have come out of it with. Next step has to be a championship - a banana will be forgiven if it is not at home. England and France must be put to the sword. Bigtime.

SA yes, but as far as i know only Vickerman and Gregan where missing from the OZ side. Obviously Smith was on the bench but i thought was a from judgement.


Remember Wales could only draw with an experimental Australian side, we convincingly beat their strongest available XV. At least we know we're ahead of Wales[img]smileys/wink.gif[/img]

[Kerry-Exile]

Perhaps its a case of grass being greener on the other side, i'm sure the Kiwi's dont want to get too excited about their team either and its good to see that theres an admiration of whats happening in the Irish camp at the moment

[toomey]

A stinging rebuke.

Anyway, I'm surprised they've written a whole article on us to be honest. I always reckoned we were kinda off the radar of the big rugby nations. I'm also surprised this guy is showing so much respect for us, I think we should be really flattered by:

"...the All Blacks will be have to be on top of their game at the World Cup to avoid losing to Ireland for the first time..."

Why would we be flattered? As POC has pointed out we are now genuine contenders for the WC. We don`t have the back up but our first 22 will take alot of beating. We showed that in June and I think the players realised that after the defeats.


A stinging rebuke? Wallace is the best openside in the NH.

Wallace thing is a joke, shut up about it.

And just because POC says something doesn't just make it true. You'll find our captain BOD and coach EOS have both said it's nonsense to call us contenders. We played two limited sides in my opinion, getting too far ahead of ourselves will be fatal.

Are you sure BOD wasn`t talking about the HC when he said his team weren`t contenders[img]smileys/smile.gif[/img]?

[The Crimson King]

No Wally? (Sheds a single tear...)


Look, the Kiwis don't like praising anyone, so fair enough, we'll accept the compliments gracefully on behalf of our team (tá an áthas orm an compliment seo a glacadh [img]smileys/lol.gif[/img]).


But the main driver here is thatNZ are rapidly running out of credible opposition. Thepresshave to produce some manner of drama to give themselves material for the next year. So if our current run of form continues, and particularly if we do well in 6N (by which I mean win it, obviously) we can, I think, expect a year of alternating praise and dogs' abuse from them.


It's something that you simply haveto suck up if you're at the top of your game, the good and the bad.

[Skyhawk]

Good article.

[Point]

I have a very uneasy feeling about the Ireland thing. Ok, England are, and will be crap at the RWC, but I get the feeling that the other big nations are looking to peak at the RWC rather than at the 6N or Trinations, whereas EOS is targetting the Grand Slam and hopes to cling on to beat Argentina in the RWC. It is hard to forget how France upped the pace to blow us away at the last RWC.

In fact D'Arcy is the prototype for the modern second five: he's strong in the tackle area, quick on his feet and has a nice pass - he's Ma'a Nonu, Aaron Mauger and Luke McAlister rolled into one.

Serious praise for Darcy, he d have to be very pleased with that.


In regards to praise from the kiwis, iwas reading Donal lenihans article in the examiner earlier in the week, he too said he was very surprised while in paris at the allblacks game how impressed the kiwis all seemed with our teams development. When you consider the lengths Henry and the brains trust are going to in the build up to the world cup (even getting the players french lessons to help them fit in in France) we must be central to there thoughts

[ECSquared]

Come back after the 6N and then we'll start talking. A grand slam is the only thing that would make me believe we've turned the corner.


Remember 12 months ago, granted we had injuries but the sky was definetly falling. Cant believe we can seriously be considered as rivals to NZ in just 12 months.

[danthefan]

But I agree with you anyway we need to at least win the 6N before we can talk about anything. I don't think we'll win the slam to be honest, but winning the championship should be priority number one.

I agree with 6 nations beingour priority, and i think we will win the grand slam. but given how much this world cup means to the kiwis, how there focusing on it and how the draw has played out, i think they'll definitely be keeping an eye on us as a major challenge / possible bananna skin in france next september

[Pirate]

"In fact D'Arcy is the prototype for the modern second five: he's strong in the
tackle area, quick on his feet and has a nice pass - he's Ma'a Nonu, Aaron
Mauger and Luke McAlister rolled into one."


High praise
</font>

[Munstermaniac]

Lets all keep the heads on our shoulders and our feet on teh ground. The upcoming 6N and then the tour to Argentina, combined with HEC and ML means our players are going to be streched to the limit.IF we do well in 6N and against Argentina, and then IF we can beat the French and the Argies at the WC and IF we can keep our players injury free, we will possibly end up in a semi final of a WC. With months to go, I hope everyone keeps things in perspective.


By the way, I did put €20 on Ireland to win the WC at 40/1 so I'm not a total pessimist.

[blackwarrior]

Ireland haven't peaked - we've won nothing yet! But NZ may have, and there could be genuine nervousness about the gap between them and us narrowing even more if we move further up the ladder by winning the 6N, and we'll still be on an upward curve even at that.


A lot of ifs, but not a bad position to be getting them to notice us.

[cud_]

Of course it goes without saying that teh WC is a long time away yet, but to be honest, I think of all the teams (bar the ABs)we are best placed for the moment. France are in serious trouble. They have just lost Freddie for 4 more months. Traille is not the answer at 10by any means. Neither is Gelez. Similarly, they have problems in the second row and the backrow. They've proved how quickly they can turn things around in the past, but many of their problems (for example the coach)seem pretty deep-rooted. The Ozzies will pull themselves together and work out a way to play to their strengths, they always do. The Saffies have problems in the background with their 2 unions and quota selection, but are contenders. England are no hopers. Walesare not serious contenders yetimo. Think they are over-rated, butthey do seem to be moving forward. Scotland are quaters materialhard to see any more. The Argieswill be strong,andare a very serious threat to us.Even so, they still suffer badly from lack of playing time. They really should be in the 3N at this stage. I'd be pretty happy with the way things are developing so far.The 6N will be pretty crucial to our preparations.

[onthe 22]

Of course it goes without saying that teh WC is a long time away yet, but to be honest, I think of all the teams (bar the ABs)we are best placed for the moment. France are in serious trouble. They have just lost Freddie for 4 more months. Traille is not the answer at 10by any means. Neither is Gelez. Similarly, they have problems in the second row and the backrow. They've proved how quickly they can turn things around in the past, but many of their problems (for example the coach)seem pretty deep-rooted. The Ozzies will pull themselves together and work out a way to play to their strengths, they always do. The Saffies have problems in the background with their 2 unions and quota selection, but are contenders. England are no hopers. Walesare not serious contenders yetimo. Think they are over-rated, butthey do seem to be moving forward. Scotland are quaters materialhard to see any more. The Argieswill be strong,andare a very serious threat to us.Even so, they still suffer badly from lack of playing time. They really should be in the 3N at this stage. I'd be pretty happy with the way things are developing so far.The 6N will be pretty crucial to our preparations.

You're right about us at this moment in time .We have found some very good players over the last couple of seasons.EOS went mad experimented in frendliesand found he has a 9 and 6 option as well.But the 10 position is the obvious worry for Munster and Ireland..We are only a couple of injuries away from being back in the doldrums.But for now[img]smileys/thumb-up.gif[/img]