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'A black wave': Victor Vito's tactical advice for All Blacks against Ireland
It’s not easy to find fault in this Ireland team, but a former All Black with a wealth of international and club experience against the best of Irish talent has thrown in his two cents on how to put pressure on the damaging Irish attack.
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Victor Vito played over 30 games for the All Blacks, winning two Rugby World Cups before moving to France to play for La Rochelle.
Now reflecting on his experiences playing against Ireland’s best, Vito has delivered his verdict on just how beatable Andy Farrell’s team are, and what the All Blacks will have to do to compete with the world No 1s.
“Their weaknesses, to be fair they don’t have many,” Vito told The Platform.
“But, look, I think we have what it takes to beat them. I think if we can get parity up front in the set piece, for sure, especially in those forward exchanges.
“I think if we can limit Johnny Sexton’s running time and actually have a black wave that’s coming forward all the time and forcing them to go backwards, they’ll be forced to kick, but that’s easier said than done.
“We can only do that as well if we stop hugging our rucks so much. We’ve been pretty tied to the rucks and we’ve been able to be rounded by most teams actually, getting outside us and we can’t afford that against Ireland because once they’re around you, they’re scoring points.
“If we can solidify our defence and force them to go back in every exchange, I mean, we did that with La Rochelle. We analyse Jamison (Gibson-Park), Johnny (Sexton) and all of the rest of them and we’ve beaten them in the last three Champions Cup finals, whether it was semi-finals or finals.
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“It’s not easy to do, but it’s definitely doable. The challenge is there and I know the boys will be up for it.”
The match promises to be a confrontational contest, the battle for gain line will be hard won and go a long way in deciding the result.
The All Blacks have named destructive winger Leicester Fainga’anuku to start on the left wing, giving the team an extra ball running option and some more aggression around the wide breakdowns.
The selection will add some firepower in an effort to combat the dangerous form of Bundee Aki, who has been chewing through post-contact metres all tournament.
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Vito says it will be crucial for the All Blacks to assert themselves in the contact area, as the team needs to send a message early.
“I think you can’t really avoid that against a team like Ireland. You’re going to have to show them that you are abrasively there; that physically, you are present.
“But at the same time, if anything, I know that the Irish have a very strong 40 (minutes), they always come out very strong in the opening 40, and then the opening 20 of the second half.
“But if your wave can keep coming and if you can keep bringing in your power carriers like (Shannon) Frizell, and obviously Ardie (Savea) and a few other guys too, and if you can nullify someone like Bundee Aki – who’s a massive physical force for them, they rely heavily on him to go forward – if you can look after guys like that, then we’re in with more than a chance.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Tamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
1 Go to commentsFiji deserve to be in the rugby championship, fans love seeing the Fijian national team play, the Fijian Drua is a wonderful idea but the players can still be stolen to play for NZ and AUS…
1 Go to commentsThe first concern for this afternoon are wheather forecast…
1 Go to commentsWhy cant I watch Rugby games please?
1 Go to commentsBeautiful shot from Finau, end of story. Gutted for Shaun Stevenson though.
4 Go to commentsThe Chiefs definitely didn’t win ugly. They had the superior scrum, a dominant lineout, and their defence was excellent once the Waratahs scored their two tries (thanks to some lucky refereeing calls mind you). They put pressure on the Waratahs lineout throughout the game, and the mind boggles as to why the referee did not award a yellow card or a penalty try against the Waratahs for repeated scrum infringements on their own try line before Narawa’s first try. And the Chiefs were slick with their passing and running angles on attack. It was a dominant performance all round, even with many questionable refereeing decisions.
1 Go to commentsWasnt late. Ref 2 assistants andTMO all saw it so who are you to say it was?
4 Go to commentsAre the Brumbies playing the Blues twice in a row?
4 Go to commentsBig difference from the Saders. Forwards really muscled up and laid a solid platform. Scooter brought some steel and I liked the loosie combination. Newell has been rather disappointing this season but stepped up big time - happy also to see Franks dot down. He should do that more often! Reihana had a good game and there seems to be more flair and invention with him in the saddle. McNicoll plays well from the back and is reliable plus inventive when he joins the line. Keep it up chaps!
3 Go to comments🤦♂️🤣 who cares who’s the best . All I know is the All Blacks have the star coach but have few star players now …
33 Go to commentsJe suis sûr que Farrell est impatient de jouer avec Lopez et Machenaud et d’être entraîné par Collazo… 🤭
1 Go to commentsAn on field red (aka a full red) in SRP must surely carry a bigger suspension than a red card given by the bunker as that carries a 20 minute team punishment. Had Damon Murphy abdicated his responsibility as a ref and issued both Drua players a yellow, which would have been upgraded to a 20 minute red by the bunker, that would have killed Australia and New Zealand’s push for the 20 minute red to be trialled globally from July this year.
11 Go to commentsEver so often you all post a Danny Care story that isn’t the announcement that he has finally re-signed for one more, victory tour season at Quins and I’m just like, “well you fooled me again!” My absolute favorite player ever, we need to make his final year at the Stoop (and Twickers) official already. I know he supposedly snubbed France but I won’t feel better until he signs.
1 Go to commentslate hit what late hit it wasn’t at all late and can clearly see he was committed before the tackle
4 Go to commentsChristian Lio -Willies 2 try perfomance was a standout. As was captain Scott Barrett. Up front was where the boys won it.They are a great team and players. Fantastic Crusaders , you can keep going.
3 Go to commentsI don't know how the locals feel about that? I guess if you call yourselves the Worcester Wasps that might be appease. But really we need more teams in the Premiership in my view so they are not padding it out as they are at the moment. It might curtail so many players going abroad as well
5 Go to commentsNZ 😭😭😭is certainly rivaling England for best whingers cup!😭😭😭 !!!
33 Go to commentsYup. New Zealand won 3 out of 10 world cups played. SA 4 out of 8 attempts 30 Vs 50 per cent.🤔🤔
33 Go to commentsShould've done this years ago. Change Saturday kick off times to around 11am. Up and off and back home before 3pm, limit travel time too. Allows players to actually do something else with their Saturday that's family oriented or being rugby fans they could ‘watch’ pro rugby. Increases crowds etc. How can anyone that enjoys grassroots and pro rugby have to choose between the two on Saturdays?
9 Go to commentsI bet he inspired those supporters just as much.
1 Go to comments