New Zealand v Ireland - 18/07/2026

[ChicagoKid]

A breakdown mess might suit us tomorrow. We slow their ball down it helps us, and also with a slower game there should be less transitions for NZ to exploit.

Surprised Pendergast wasn't selected then...

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Surprised Pendergast wasn't selected then...

We score most our points off lineout and it's been remedial. Have three locks in the hope that height fixes shite I think

 

[Demfad]

Surprised Pendergast wasn't selected then...

IRELAND: Hugo Keenan (Leinster); Robert Baloucoune (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster); Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster); Tom O’Toole (Ulster), Dan Sheehan (Leinster, capt), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster); Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster); Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster).

Same Back 5 that did England in Twickenham.

 

[Demfad]

We score most our points off lineout and it's been remedial. Have three locks in the hope that height fixes shite I think

If it flops again, when will media ask the Qs that need to be asked about P O'connell? We lost a scatter v SA in RWC 2023. Same v NZ in the QTR and a running disaster since. One common thread. Same for scrum BTW.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

1. Ethan de Groot (42)
2. Codie Taylor (108)
3. Tyrel Lomax (50)
4. Josh Lord (14)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (56)
6. Tupou Vaa'i (46)
7. Luke Jacobson (26)
8. Ardie Savea (108) (Captain)
9. Cam Roigard (19)
10. Ruben Love (7)
11. Josh Moorby (1)
12. Jordie Barrett (80)
13. Quinn Tupaea (25)
14. Will Jordan (56)
15. Damian McKenzie (76)

16. Asafo Aumua (21)
17. Xavier Numia (1)
18. Fletcher Newell (36)
19. Anton Segner (1)
20. Peter Lakai (9)
21. Cortez Ratima (23)
22. Anton Lienert-Brown (89)
23. Caleb Clarke (34)

Yeah you lads are just looking good again. A few of those caps in single digits and teens are going to look very good woth 10+ more run outs next autumn.

This is probably our last chance to deny that we're essentially a bridge troll for other teams to get through to join the big 3 and I don't really back us.

But there's always a chance!

 

[Demfad]

Yeah you lads are just looking good again. A few of those caps in single digits and teens are going to look very good woth 10+ more run outs next autumn.

This is probably our last chance to deny that we're essentially a bridge troll for other teams to get through to join the big 3 and I don't really back us.

But there's always a chance!

Didn't you say similar before the Twickenham match?

It could be a good omen!

We have finally got a decent RWC draw. All we have to do is stay close and let the top 3 do their thing: on the other side of the draw.

I don't know if there is any accuracy in Eddie Jones's rant, but if Ireland did put a foot down then being competitive for this match would have been top amongst the reasons. The intention is to win this match and has been for a year. There will be blood!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Didn't you say simlar before the Twickenham match?

I did! Always a caveat

 

[wombles]

Test of the round for me.....really looking forward to this one.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Annoyingly I’m going to miss the games this Saturday as going on holiday tomorrow and was particularly looking forward to this one. Think it’s going to be very close but NZ to edge it by 6 points.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Annoyingly I’m going to miss the games this Saturday as going on holiday tomorrow and was particularly looking forward to this one. Think it’s going to be very close but NZ to edge it by 6 points.

Where ye going? Is it gonna be tropic?

 

[Welsh Exile]

Where ye going? Is it gonna be tropic?

Skiathos. Got a in villa chef and masseuse.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Skiathos. Got a in villa chef and masseuse.

Beautiful. Enjoy the hell out of it

 

[Welsh Exile]

Beautiful. Enjoy the hell out of it

Thanks bud.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

We're dogged but expect speed to kill us eventually.

 

[big ginger 8]

Way easier for NZ to make yards than us. Thinking we're putting too many defenders into the ruck. JOB is a loss.

 

[big ginger 8]

Ringrose to wing? Definitely no pace deficit now.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Gonna be a longgggg game for IRE

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

This will be the third hammering we ship in less than 18 months because we are horrendously slow.

Doesn't help that Berry has his eye in for us and not so much the other way. Happens when you play positively like NZ though.

 

[Gavin]

Straight red for me. Dive over the ruck. Shoulder charge to the head.

 

[Saintjay]

Did he just say yellow only....how

 

[Gavin]

How in any world is that just a yellow.

Madness

 

[TopTen2003]

How on Earth that remains a yellow with the modern rules I am just not sure.

Make it make sense.

 

[Groundhog]

World Rugby claiming to be serious about head injury and then mitigate that down because his arm was “jammed”.

Berry has been a **** so far

 

[big ginger 8]

That seems about right for this morning.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

ooooft

I feel too badly for Ireland to make a joke

 

[Stade Rochelais]

Ireland's performance was truly ridiculous compared to France's against the same opponent.

Question: How is it that Ireland is ahead of France in the IRB rankings ? I'm being sarcastic.

 

[dirty harry]

Only seen last 10 mins of 2nd half, but my god Ireland look bad on either side of the ball

 

[ShropshireAllBlack]

The number of missed passes & interceptions reflects the pressure New Zealand has been applying.

 

[Demfad]

Excellent performance by NZ. Ireland were lucky for the 7s brain fart and yellow (could/should have been 20 min red or more) to avoid 21-0. I did feel we didn't get much of a break from the ref until that point but it made little odds. This NZ team score with possession. We have given a few penalties and inaccurate turnovers and have been severely punished for poor handling. At 7-0 we are attacking 15 m out and concede a silly panalty. Try NZ within 2 mins. The call the run from the 22 ..once NZ had it covered we must kick. At 14-7 back in the match, thats a killer.
Set piece is better but the match is over unfortunately.

Just one on Nic Berry. He said that the next antagonistic celebration would result in a penalty. NZ carried on this tactic after their second try. Should have been a pan to Ireland at the restart if he is to be true to his word.

 

[Demfad]

The number of missed passes & interceptions reflects the pressure New Zealand has been applying.

Yes and no. Some of it is just inaccuracies. Excellent NZ defence but Ireland would expect to handle those in these circumstances.