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
Bit rich coming from the guy with zero loyalty to anyone or any team, including happily taking a players place in a league world cup squad because well, SBW wanted to play in it and thus an already named player got told he was no longer going. And airing stuff like this, which may or may not be true, doesn't exactly say you're a stand up guy either SBW. Just looking to keep his name in lights as usual.
35 Go to commentsTamati 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 comments