Sorry Japan, but it’s
We have now reached the knockout phase of the 2019 Rugby World Cup and some mouth-watering quarterfinal fixtures lie in wait. In the past, the World Cup quarterfinals have been formalities, with one team proving so dominant over the other team but this time could be different.
Japan have proved the revelation of the tournament, which often happens when teams play at home and forge belief. There is just something in home ground advantage which is invaluable. Jamie Joseph’s men have also played a very good brand of rugby. Everybody is talking up Japan’s attacking shape, the quality of their skillset as well as their offloading and finishing ability. Japan have the best attack but unfortunately good attacks don’t win World Cups – effective defences and setpieces do.
Despite finishing as Pool B winners, the All Blacks have a tough quarterfinal draw in the form of Ireland. Ireland have beaten New Zealand twice under Joe Schmidt, so there is a belief because this group of Irish players know what success feels like against the men in black. They will believe they can repeat the feat and make history by qualifying for their first World Cup semifinal in nine attempts.
It must be said that the Irish way of beating New Zealand is very different to the other teams’ ways. Most of the other teams who have done well or beaten New Zealand in the past have played a territory-driven game and didn’t allow the All Blacks to live off their mistakes.
Ireland’s way is different because they have a keep-the-ball mentality. It’s the theory because the All Blacks are so good off turnovers and, as a consequence, the Irish actually limit their amount of ball-in-hand play, opt for territory and don’t give the All Blacks anything to capitalise on. In their team meetings ahead of the second quarterfinal, Ireland will say: ‘‘If we keep the ball then the All Blacks can’t score a try.’’
The Irish have got a very onedimensional attack but they can keep the ball. They play off No 9 a lot and while they will play off No10 at times and change direction, the reality is that Ireland’s is probably the most basic attack at the World Cup – even more so than South Africa’s.
However, in their favour Ireland have a good set-piece, they can keep the ball and are in possession of a brilliant kicking game. Conor Murray, Jonny Sexton and Rob Kearney have skillsets suited to knockout rugby.
Ireland will be hoping that if they can starve the All Blacks of the ball, get one or two bounces to go their way or win some aerial contests, they could actually beat the All Blacks. Ireland’s current weakness is that they have only recently started with a rush defence and Andy Farrell starting to rush so late is not the solution.