Ireland lead the charge for All Blacks’ World Cup crown

LONDON: Reigning champions New Zealand may remain the team to beat at the 2019 World Cup in Japan but November’s internationals confirmed that Ireland are hot on their heels.

New Zealand top the world rankings but Ireland, Wales and England occupy the next three places in the standings.

The 2015 World Cup saw the southern hemisphere provide all four semifinalists but, based on current form, it will be a major shock if no European side makes the last four next year.

Having waited more than a century for a first win over New Zealand, Ireland’s 16-9 defeat of the All Blacks in Dublin on November 17 was their second in three matches following a 40-29 success in Chicago two years ago.

The win over New Zealand helped Ireland win the world team of the year award on Sunday.

This month’s victory over the All Blacks was notable for an Irish defence organised by former England assistant coach and dual code international Andy Farrell-the father of England fly-half Owen-preventing the usually potent All Blacks from scoring even one try.

Afterwards, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen said of Ireland: “As of now they are the number-one team in the world.

“So if you want to make them World Cup favourites, go ahead. I guess they are favourites.”

His Ireland counterpart and fellow New Zealander Joe Schmidt, a leading contender to succeed Hansen, was having none of it.

“We’ll take tonight and we’ll leave the World Cup for 11 months’ time,” said Schmidt, who was voted coach of the year. Ireland are the reigning Six Nations Grand Slam champions and lost just once in 2018.

Yet there are fears over how their relatively small playing base will cope should the likes of first-choice players such as outstanding fly-half Johnny Sexton-who made it an Irish awards triple with the player of the year awardbe ruled out through injury.

Another worry is how Ireland, who have never reached a World Cup semifinal, shoulder the burden of expectation.

Ireland have long enjoyed the role of ‘plucky underdogs’ but that is no longer a credible position for Schmidt’s men.

New Zealand do have playing depth, while the way fly-half Beauden Barrett dropped goals against England and Ireland indicates a pragmatic edge is being added to their running game.

England finished 2018 with an impressive mix of forward power and stylish back-line play during a 37-18 win over Australia, the 2015 losing finalists, at Twickenham. It meant they had won three of their four November Tests, the lone loss an agonising 16-15 defeat by New Zealand. — AFP