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Ireland can prove 'best team in world' tag this summer
As Ireland stands on the brink of Six Nations glory – with only one game against Scotland in Dublin this weekend standing in their way – former Irish international Andrew Conway has highlighted the team’s potential to prove themselves as the world’s best.
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In an interview with NewBettingSites.uk, Conway backed Steve Borthwick’s claim of Ireland’s elite status, emphasizing the upcoming summer tour against the top-ranked Springboks in South Africa as the ultimate test of their prowess on the global stage.
Ireland will return to South Africa for the first time in eight years for the two-Test series this summer. The opening match is set for Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on July 6, followed by a clash at Hollywoodbets Kings Park in Durban.
“Do I think Ireland can become the best team in the world? Yes, of course. I think there are four or five teams that could be the best team in the world. The challenge is to become the best team in the world over a sustained period of time – which Ireland have shown they can do. There’s different ways to look at who is the ‘best team in the world’.
“If Ireland just keep doing what they’re doing, keep moving forward, likely will win the Six Nations next week and then get two cracks at the world champions [South Africa] in a few months… That is a great position to be in. Andy Farrell will be thriving under that pressure of going down there and taking on the world champions. Winning championships and testing themselves against the best in the world and coming out of this positively is their focus. The other stuff takes care of itself.
“There is no doubt that this is one of the best Ireland teams that we have ever seen. Ireland have won 20 of their last 22 games. That is unheard of. You go back 15 years, 10 years, people wouldn’t believe you if you told them that Ireland are going to win 20 in 22 games. Their run at the Aviva is monstrous too.
“You have to give the team masses of credit for how good they are and how consistent they have been. The big one against New Zealand didn’t go our way and of course we lost on the weekend, but for that to throw people off so much it goes to show you what people expect now. That’s the position Ireland are now in. They have gotten to a certain level and people expect wins every time. There is no doubt this Ireland team is the best that has ever been.
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“The next World Cup is three and a half years away and rugby changes on a weekly basis. There is a lot of ways the next few years can play out. Ireland has a great structure and this has helped to deepen the pool of player quality over the last 15 years. There’s no reason to think that Ireland won’t be in the mix to win the next World Cup but so much can happen. It’s going to be an interesting next few years for Ireland.”
Comments on RugbyPass
“Cortez Ratima is light years ahead of anyone on current form, while TJ Perenara has also skyrocketed into contention following the unfortunate injury to the talented Cam Roigard.” At last some sanity. Hitherto so many pundits have been wittering on about Finlay Christie to the point one wondered if they were observing a FC in a parallel universe where the FC they saw wasnt just the mediocre Shayne Philpott project of Fosters hapless AB reign in the real world. Ratima, Perenara and Fakatava are the ONLY logical 9s for Razor now Roigard is crocked.
2 Go to commentsThis game was just as painful as the Hurricanes game. It was real fork-in-the-eye stuff.
2 Go to commentsNow if they could just fire the Crusaders ground PA guy who likes to play his dance music and just loves the sound of his own voice the entire game, even when play is going on. And I thought their brass band thing of a few years ago was bad.
5 Go to commentsUnfortunately when you lose by far the two form players this season in Roigard and Aumua, you're left replacing two game changing Tanks with a couple of pea-shooters. Which is also about the speed of TJs pass.
2 Go to commentsBit 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.
37 Go to commentsTamati Tua. …the Taniwha NPC midfielder. Ollie Sapsford, Hawkes Bay NPC midfielder…doing well
2 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!
5 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.
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