Former Irish coach highlights how Ireland can take advantage of All Blacks
Former Irish coach Eddie O’Sullivan believes the All Blacks‘ continued use of twin playmakers Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga weakens their chances against Ireland in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinal tomorrow.
O’Sullivan highlighted a number of ‘chinks in the armour of the All Blacks’, including fragile goal-kicking and lack of discipline at the breakdown.
O’Sullivan, who coached Ireland from 2001-2008, said he fancies Ireland’s chances against an All Blacks side he believes is weaker than the World Cup winning 2015 squad.
“That’s a strong New Zealand backline but it’s not the perfect backline,” O’Sullivan told the RTE Rugby Podcast.
“I’m really happy about Barrett being at 15 because I don’t think he’s going to get his hands on the ball as much.
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“He’s a massive catalyst for New Zealand in attack. He’s a very smart defender as well. He can really cause problems when he’s on the ball. I don’t think he gets his hands on the ball as much when he’s at 15. It’s practically impossible to bring him into the game as much as Richie Mo’unga will be.
“I think those selections give us a little chink of light in terms of exploitation. I’m sure they’re looking at us the same way. But we’re much more settled than they are.
“Joe’s got a very predictable, very solid, very experienced XV, compared to the All Blacks XV which is not as experienced and I would say not quite as solid.”
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O’Sullivan said having Mo’unga at No 10 would help Ireland protect their own territory better.
“We probably play our wings high and take away the space in the corners. I think you can do that against Richie Mo’unga, I’m not sure you can get away with it against Beauden Barrett as much,” O’Sullivan told RTE.
“Richie Mo’unga has not a great kicking game. He’s not as astute at exploiting (the space) in the back field. That’s good for us. Especially, if it’s wet.
“It’s another weakness. It’s hard to believe we’re talking about All Black weaknesses. But they don’t have a really front-line, high percentage place kicker. Mo’unga seems to be the one they go to more often when both of them are on the field. He seems a bit more reliable. But neither of them are lock steady.
“When you compare them to Sexton, if it comes down to a drop goal or a late penalty in a one-score game, that gives us an edge there. If you comes to that, I’d back us to win that sort of a battle in terms of the goal-kickers shooting it out.”
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O’Sullivan noted a worrying trend for the All Blacks playing against match officials.
“They have had trouble with referees around offside and coming in from the side at rucks. I’m not talking about discipline in terms of foul play, I’m talking about giving away penalties at breakdowns and stepping offside at rucks.
“They’ve had a bad record of giving away kicks at goal. They do give up points, they’ve averaged 19 points conceded this year but because they usually score 25, 30, 40, nobody pays much attention to it.
“I think this New Zealand team, overall, is not as strong as the New Zealand team that won the World Cup four years ago. That was a better team. I’m not saying they won’t win the World Cup because even a bad New Zealand team is a very good rugby team. And this isn’t a bad New Zealand team by any stretch. I’m just looking for chinks of light where we might have the edge on them.
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“They don’t have to dominate the game for 80 minutes to beat you, they just have to find the sweet spot and stick together 15 or 20 points and the game is over,” O’Sullivan warned in the RTE Rugby Podcast.
“For that reason, they’re still an extremely dangerous outfit. Even if we believe that there are slight weaknesses here and there.
“I still fancy our chances looking at the two line-ups and the longer the game goes on and it’s tight, the better it is for us. I don’t think we’re going to put a score on them. But we know they do have that capacity. If you make mistakes, they will capitalise. They don’t tend to waste opportunities.”
This article first appeared on nzherald.co.nz and was republished here with permission.
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Comments on RugbyPass
There’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to comments