CAN IRELAND WIN ELUSIVE RUGBY TEST?

23.06.2012
Ireland v New Zealand in Hamilton

Venue: Waikato Stadium, Hamilton

Referee: Romain Poite (France)

Preview
The talk this week has been about how poor the All Blacks played last weekend. Funny thing, and speaking as a Kiwi, I have always felt the All Blacks as a team do not respond well when under pressure. Some examples. Last week, firstly, then v France in the World Cup final last year, against v France in 1999. That makes only 3 examples out of 100+ test matches. I saw it last weekend as Ireland constantly put the All Blacks under pressure. Just a thought.

For this game I just feel Ireland can’t do it twice in a row. They showed that lack of consistency at the Rugby World Cup last year. Their backline is not as strong as last weeks. D’Arcy is out and so is back row strongman Jamie Heaslip.

New Zealand are without Dan Carter and Richie McCaw moves to an unfamiliar number eight position. Carter is out with injury which gives Aron Cruden, who played so well when Carter was injured in the World Cup, a chance to prove again his credentials. Luke Romano makes his test debut with Retallick moving to the bench.

New Zealand will not tolerate another poor performance. The players know it. They are under pressure.So is Ireland. Can they front up again and play with the same intensity as last week? This writer doesn’t think so

Last Five Encounters
16.06.2012 New Zealand 22-19 in Christchurch
09.06.2012 New Zealand 42-10 in Auckland
20.11.2010 New Zealand 38-18 in Dublin
12.06.2010 New Zealand 66-29 in New Plymouth
15.11.2008 New Zealand 22-3 in Dublin

Ireland Last Five
16.06.2012 v New Zealand L 19-22 in Christchurch
09.06.2012 v New Zealand L 10-42 in Auckland
17.03.2012 v England L 9-30 at Twickenham (6 Nations)
10.03.2012 v Scotland W 32-14 in Dublin (6 Nations)
04.03.2012 v France D 17-17 in Paris (6 Nations)

New Zealand Last Five
16.06.2012 v Ireland W 22-19 in Christchurch
09.06.2012 v Ireland W  42-10 in Auckland
23.10.2011 v France W 8-7 in Auckland (World Cup, Final)
16.10.2011 v Australia W 20-6 in Auckland (SF)
09.10.2011 v Argentina W 33-10 in Auckland (QF)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table-New Zealand 1st, Ireland 9th

IRB Ranking Points New Zealand 91.43, Ireland 79.85

Prediction: NZ can’t possibly play two poor tests in a row. They’ll be weaker without Carter and McCaw out of position and not at his best. Can Ireland match their intensity of last week? I don’t think so. NZ by 9 points.

teams

NEW ZEALAND

15		Israel Dagg	Hawkes Bay
14		Benjamin Smith	Otago
13		Conrad Smith	Wellington
12		Sonny Bill Williams	Canterbury
11		Hosea Gear	Wellington
10		Aaron Cruden	Manawatu
9		Aaron Smith	Manawatu
8		Richard McCaw (Capt.)	Canterbury
7		Samuel Cane	Bay of Plenty
6		Liam Meesam	Waikato
5		Samuel Whitelock	Canterbury
4		Luke Romano *	Canterbury
3		Owen Franks	Canterbury
2		Andrew Hore	Taranaki
1		Tony Woodcock	North Harbour
16		Keven Mealamu	Auckland
17		Benjamin Franks	Tasman
18		Brodie Retallick	Bay of Plenty
19		Adam Thompson	Otago
20		Piri Weepu	Auckland
21		Beauden Barrett *	Taranaki
22		Tamati Ellison	Wellington
		HEAD COACH: Steven Hansen

* Test debut

IRELAND

15		Robert Kearney	Leinster
14		Fergus McFadden	Leinster
13		Brian O'Driscoll (Capt.)	Leinster
12		Patrick Wallace	Ulster
11		Keith Earls	Munster
10		Jonathan Sexton	Leinster
9		Conor Murray	Munster
8		Peter O'Mahony	Munster
7		Sean O'Brien	Leinster
6		Kevin McLaughlin	Leinster
5		Donnacha Ryan	Munster
4		Daniel Touhy	Ulster
3		Michael Ross	Leinster
2		Rory Best	Ulster
1		Cian Healy	Leinster
16		Sean Cronin	Leinster
17		Declan Fitzpatrick	Ulster
18		Donncha O'Callaghan	Munster
19		Christopher Henry	Ulster
20		Eoin Reddan	Leinster
21		Ronan O'Gara	Munster
22		Andrew Trimble	Ulster
		HEAD COACH: Declan Kidney