Advertisement
Sport

Ireland and New Zealand meet in game to decide the world

Oct 13, 2023 12:30 By Dave Hooper
Ireland and New Zealand meet in game to decide the world
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 07: Johnny Sexton of Ireland prepares for his kick after Hugo Keenan of Ireland (not pictured) scores his team's fourth try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between Ireland and Scotland at Stade de France on October 07, 2023 in Paris, France. (Photo by Julian Finney - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
Share this article
Sponsored by

Ireland are ranked number one and New Zealand number three meet in the quarter-final

Ireland enter the knock-out stages of the Rugby world cup, looking to break the glass ceiling.

The most intriguing game of the 2023 Rugby world cup sees the World number one ranked team against the most successful team.

Ireland are currently ranked number one in the world, with three-time world champions New Zealand ranked third.

Advertisement

Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has kept faith with the starting team that convincingly beat Scotland last week.

The only two changes to the match-day team are on the bench; Joe McCarthy replacing the injured second row James Ryan, and Jimmy O’Brien coming in for Stuart McCloskey.

New Zealand, meanwhile, after losing in the pool phase for the first time, won’t want their tournament to end at this stage for just the second time in their history. The first and, so far, only time? At RWC 2007, hosted by France.

Advertisement


New Zealand have former Irish head coach Joe Schmidt in their backroom team. The highly regarded Schmidt has the insight on the Irish team.

“They have probably levelled up a bit in their attack, with Joe and a couple of the other coaches” explained Garry Ringrose.

Advertisement

“From my own experience, and knowing the quality of coaching he delivers, they have definitely improved, their ability to take on the line, some of the tight shapes they run, their kicking games”.

“These are things New Zealand have always been good at but the past four games have definitely reinforced that” added Ringrose.

Key Talking Point

Advertisement

Ireland have never advanced past the quarter-final of the World cup. After falling down at this stage in seven previous attempts, beating the All Blacks in Saint-Denis, would be a serious statement.

The game may very well hinge on Caelan Doris v Ardie Savea. Two of the best number eights in rugby today on opposite teams in a winner-takes-all match?

However, if Ireland fail, then this would be Johnny Sexton’s final game. Sexton still has records to break.

Advertisement

Including his three tests for the British and Irish Lions, this will be his 18th match against the All Blacks, meaning he will overtake Alun Wyn Jones (17) for the number of tests by any Northern Hemisphere player against New Zealand.

Meanwhile, if he comes off the bench for his 18th Rugby World Cup outing, Conor Murray will overtake Brian O’Driscoll and Paul O’Connell’s joint record of tournament matches for Ireland.

Ireland: Hugo Keenan; Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe; Johnny Sexton (captain), Jamison Gibson-Park; Andrew Porter, Dan Sheehan, Tadhg Furlong; Tadhg Beirne, Iain Henderson; Peter O’Mahony, Josh van der Flier, Caelan Doris

Replacements: Ronan Kelleher, Dave Kilcoyne, Finlay Bealham, Joe McCarthy, Jack Conan, Conor Murray, Jack Crowley, Jimmy O’Brien

New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga'anuku; Richie Mo'unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax; Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett; Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane (captain), Ardie Savea

Replacements: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Samuel Whitelock, Dalton Papali'i, Finlay Christie, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown

Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).

Ireland v New Zealand

Stade de France (80,023)

Saturday October 14, Kick-Off: 21:00 (8pm Irish time)

Tags used in this article
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement

NorthernSound Newsletter

Sign up now to keep up to date with the latest news.

Processing your request...

You are subscribed now! please check your email to confirm your subscription.

Copyright © 2024 Northern Sound FM. Developed by Square1 and Powered by PublisherPlus