IRELAND’S DATE WITH DESTINY
All Blacks await resurgent Ireland in era-defining Toyko encounter
“That tactical savviness gives Ireland hope” “It might not be pretty but it is pretty effective”
ONWARDS to Tokyo and a heavyweight quarter-final clash with New Zealand. It is a daunting task but Ireland always knew it was going to be the All Blacks or the Springboks at this juncture.
The Boks were seen as the lesser of those two evils but Rassie Erasmus’s rejuvenated squad have looked lethal in recent weeks. Now, Joe Schmidt is ready to take on the All Blacks for the fourth time in three years.
Lest we forget, he has guided Ireland to a brace of historic wins over the back-to-back champions at Soldier Field and the Aviva, while Ireland were 40 seconds away from beating them in that pulsating 24-22 defeat in Dublin back in 2013.
Now, they have a date with destiny.
Ireland did not plan to be derailed so spectacularly by Japan in Shizuoka.
The outlook was grim after that debacle at Ecopa Stadium, just six days after Schmidt’s men had demolished Scotland 27-3. That loss doesn’t feel like a debacle any more after the way the hosts played yesterday.
It has taken a few weeks but Ireland have bounced back and there were signs of encouragement throughout that seven-try win in Fukuoka.
They are still alive and now have the opportunity to have a crack at the best team in the world. Cup rugby is all about small margins and some of those precious bonus points picked up along the way have proved crucial in this hotlycontested pool.
That maximum haul against the Scots was a major bonus while Joey Carbery’s decision to boot the ball off the park in the dying seconds of that Japan loss now looks a very shrewd move.
Carbery, who had replaced Jack Carty during that frantic second half, copped plenty of criticism for kicking the ball into the stands when his side trailed the hosts by seven points with the clock in the red.
Ireland were camped on their own line after Keith Earls had scythed down Japan’s flying wing Kenki Fukuoka – a tackle that now looks tournament-defining.
Earls’ act of defiance and Carbery’s cold calculation ensured Ireland emerged from the wreckage of that Japan loss with a losing bonus point to show for their efforts. A small moment like that has ensured Ireland’s passage into the knockout stages.
Think back to the 2015 World Cup when England captain Chris Robshaw turned down a late kick at goal against Wales before opting for the glory play of a last-gasp attacking lineout and a chance to score the winning try.
It backfired horribly and it would eventually transpire that a share of the points that night in Twickenham would have ultimately proved enough to ensure England’s qualification for the quarter-finals.
Robshaw’s muddied thinking would lead to an early exit at the pool stage – the first time that fate befell the host nation. Stuart Lancaster, Andy Farrell, Mike Catt and Graham Rowntree would all get the sack soon after. Small margins.
Ireland may have a dire record at the World Cup when it comes to knockout rugby, but the sizeable Leinster and Munster contingent in this squad are well versed in negotiating their way through tricky European campaigns.
That tactical savviness will give them hope against New Zealand. It was on display against Samoa for 80 ruthless minutes. When Ireland play like that, they are a nightmare for any team, including the All Blacks.
Shaun Edwards’ famous mantra of ‘defence wins championships’ remains relevant today. Ireland’s Pool A campaign was patchy to say the least, resounding wins over Scotland and Samoa bookending flat displays against Japan and Russia. One thing has been constant throughout this World Cup campaign, however. Their defence has been top notch, conceding a paltry 27 points – including just two tries – across 320 minutes of Test rugby.
This squad completely buys into Andy Farrell’s defensive system and it could be a major weapon next weekend. If Ireland can get their attacking game up and running and build a bit of a lead, they don’t give up many points in return.
Ireland coughed up just five penalties against Samoa and their scrum, maul and lineout all seem finely-tuned for the quarter-finals. Those are solid foundations for cup rugby.
Crucially, Cian Healy, Tadgh Furlong, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier are all in top form.
Rory Best, playing in potentially his last international game, is due a big outing while one of Iain Henderson’s mutant-like displays would be most welcome.
Backrows have been dropping likes flies in recent months, yet Schmdit can still call upon Peter O’Mahony, CJ Stander, Tadhg Beirne and, fingers crossed, Rhys Ruddock for this era-defining encounter.
The feeling is that Ruddock was being held back for the big one. After years of injuries, the Leinster flanker looks primed to finally deliver on his rich potential on the biggest stage of all. The forwards will be tasked with making carry after carry next weekend, eking out the hard yards and wearing down their illustrious opponents.
It may not be pretty, but it’s pretty effective. It also helps when you have two wise old heads at half back who know how to boss a game. Last Saturday’s showing was Conor Murray’s best of the year. If the Munster scrum-half can up his running game, then Ireland will be in business this weekend. Then there’s Johnny Sexton. His value has always been known to Schmidt and his team-mates, but his involvement is vital nowadays. Ireland have won the last 18 Tests out of 20 when Sexton featured. More cause for optimism. Bundee Aki may very well be banned for this game but the form of Garry Ringrose and the return of Robbie Henshaw from a hamstring injury is timely. Much cause for optimism. Having never progressed beyond the quarter-final stage in the 32-year history of the World Cup, Ireland now face the most daunting last-eight meeting to date. You get the feeling Schmidt and his players will relish it.