Ireland v New Zealand

First topic message reminder :

Right what's done is done regarding Aus. Time to move on and look forward to the ABs. This could be one to watch from behind the couch.

I don't expect any major changes in the team. Murray for Redden being the only obvious change, possibly at tighthead, possibly in the second row. Sexton is doubtful, maybe Earls is available.

My only expectation for this game is for an improved performance as the required level of aggressiveness was just non existent last Saturday. Otherwise we are looking at some hammering.

Without stating the obvious...I would like to see our players try to copy the All Blacks in certain aspects of the game. Namely
1. Passing the ball to another Irish player who is moving forwards and preferably in space
2. When running with the ball try to avoid the opposition players as much as possible instead of seeking out contact.
that is all.

Suas an bothair agus ar aghaidh an tarbh.

Updated with Teams
All Blacks
15 Dagg,14 jane, 13 B Smith, 12 Nonu, 11 Savea, 10 Cruden, 9 A Smith
8 Read, 7 McCaw, 6 Luatua, 5 Whitelock, , 4 Romano, 3 Faumoina, 2 Hore , 1 Crockett

Ireland
R Kearney; T Bowe, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, D Kearney; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross, D Toner, P O’Connell, P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, D Fitzpatrick, M McCarthy, K McLaughlin, I Boss, I Madigan, L Fitzgerald.

Taylorman wrote:

The Saint wrote:Well NZ I told you that you would choke. You never get the clean sweep! Still love you guys though.

 

We'll revisit this shall we saint. abs will walk it. Saves in. All over rover.

NZ will get back into the game. Ireland would have put 19 points in 15mins past any other team playing like that.

Now this is a good response to the try from Ireland. This is exactly what they need.

sexton stop it

POM has been totally anonymous. We need a massive effort from the pack and he has been an utter passenger so far. He needs to step this up.

COME ON TA FOOK!

Good stuff Ireland. You need to score here

One very loose kick aside, Connor Murray has been exceptional.

Cian Healy. Nothing more needs to be said.

Cruden is fantastic. A very clear step-up from Carter at the moment.

ABs going off their feet at every ruck, would be interested to see GE's opinion on that. Healy on McCaw was beautiful. Sit down.

Ireland still in a good attacking position here...this is a big scrum.

Second have gonna be fun. I hope Molly's n courteney place has stocked the Guinness just in case!

Ha I can hear an Irish voice screaming "Take the three points!!!"

Should have gone for scrum!!

I'm not a fan of our new shirt.  It's looks like the players are wearing a hi tech bra cast off from the first Tron film

And just in case those of you have just joined us, the score is 22-7 at 34 minutes.

Sexton takes ages to kick. He's gettin them though. What an atmosphere

How fit is this Irish side? Expect a torrent beginning second half. Figures it'd take a kiwi coach to know how to play them. 

Wow, just turned on and seen the score. Unbelievable Jeff!

Fair play to Nigel - I love his style.

First penalty to ABs. You better keep attacking Ireland. Go defensive at your peril.

Hells bells I can't believe what I'm seeing here!

IIIIIIRRRRREELLLAAANNNNDDD!!!!

Well I slated D'Arcy but he has done really well.

Well after all the talk Darcy has played well

that is some beard on yer man d'arcy!

Brilliant Gordon D'Arcy.

And I like your little beard.

Ireland just need to keep attacking and taking their points, they'll just grow in confidence. But then so will the Kiwis int he second half.

Darcys beard is impressive

Does this show that the Kiwis are there for the taking in their last game of the year???

This looks a lot like twickenham a year ago

That Murrays a classy player.

Biblical is the word I'd use to describe D'Arcy's beard...

Cari wrote:Ha I can hear an Irish voice screaming "Take the three points!!!"

That was me from 160 miles away!

Ireland are going to win this I can feel it.

Do nz have norovirus?

BOD was snubbed by the Lions, yet he may still get to bow out with a swan-song .

Sean O'Brien is everywhere!

Best 40mins of rugby I have seen from Ireland, I think ever

WHAT HAVE I JUST SEEN?!!

TAKE A BOW! UNBELIEVABLE!

Superb play by Chilli there, did well to retain that.

HT 22-7

What a reception for the team. The players will be even more up for it I reckon come the second half.

This is mental.

COME ON IRELAND!!!

Best half off rugby from an Irish team in a hell of a long time

Unbelievable!

It's no coincedence that when teams do actually beat NZ, which very rarely happens, it's because the opposition have shocked them early on with an extreme instensity and built a big lead early on which NZ could not fully recover from. I think Ireland will win this!

Excellent work from Ireland - only one penalty conceded in the first half.  They've had most of the possession too.

On a side note I saw a good vid of Savea doing clap muscle ups. Just sayin

The Saint wrote:BOD was snubbed by the Lions, yet he may still get to bow out with a swan-song .

Jeez some people just cant get over Drico.

Joe you old dog... Turn the screws in second half lads...

1 to 15 Ireland brilliant! Conor Murray is having one his best displays ever superb tempo! Healy Darcy brilliant cone on Ireland

Just imagine the noise If it was a proper sized stadium!

maestegmafia wrote:Does this show that the Kiwis are there for the taking in their last game of the year???

This looks a lot like twickenham a year ago

Its a question that never gets answered. How do you keep winning when you've won everything? Only the ABs get to be in the position to answer it. Well last 40 of the season the questions been asked again. Can they get up one more time?