IRELAND CAPTAIN PAUL O’Connell believes his team have the potential to win the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
Joe Schmidt has enjoyed a fruitful first full year as Ireland’s head coach, guiding his players to Six Nations glory, before picking up a 2-0 win in a two-match series against Argentina.
Ireland ended the 2014 with victories over South Africa, Georgia and Australia in the November internationals, and O’Connell hopes to maintain that momentum in the build-up to the World Cup.
“We certainly have a chance,” he told Sky Sports. “We have shown that we can beat anyone on our day.
“We still don’t have the strength in depth of the southern hemisphere nations, so there are certain things that will have to go our way — but I think we have the potential to win a World Cup.”
O’Connell also paid tribute to coach Schmidt, adding: ”Joe is an excellent coach and an excellent strategist.
“He is a brilliant communicator too — we are all trying to do the same things on the rugby field; but Joe is able to simplify it and able to get players into the right places on the field where they can use their skillset.
“It is brilliant working with him, every meeting and every training session we learn something new — and you could almost be jealous that Leinster had him for so long.
“The Irish set-up under Joe has been incredible and I want to experience as much of that as I can.”
Yes we can!
In the past Irish players would never say this and it always bugged me. England even when they were rubbish would say we can win this.
I like the sound of Paulie today. Go on son
We need to top the group first. Then we can start to dream and no doubt as fans get carried away, but I think this group and the manager are to shrewd to believe the hype, they know its a big ask and will be well prepared.
Can see everyone getting carried away next year particularly if the 6N goes well. The 07 WC experience was chastening and we could learn from it! That said with Schmidt you always have a chance.
I’ve lived through a few of these. This time I believe Paul’s assertion and more importantly his conviction. You have to believe you can win. Convince your opponents and you’re nearly there.
True leadership from the big warrior. Expect his finest year ever.
We ll have to manage our expectations, we re number 3 in the rankings but I’d always prefer us to be the underdog going into a big game
I think that’s exactly what Schmidt wants. In a World Cup, the big names never disappoint, so despite beating South Africa and Australia, if Ireland ever make it our of their group. they will be the underdogs when they meet them. Perfect.
Why do we have to be underdogs? I hate this talk and to be a winner u need to lose this mentality. Occasional big wins is for underdogs. Winners are consistent
We have a population of 5 million !
New Zealand is 4.4 million…..
We hear the same before every World Cup. Never even been to a semi final and now Ireland can win it? Beat South Africa in 2006 in the winter internationals – 12 months later South Africa were world champions and Ireland humiliated themselves.
Winter internationals ?
Lack of strength and depth has been noticeable at Ulster this year and have read comments to a similar effect regarding injuries at the other provinces. How are the IRFU going to develop the necessary strength and depth that POC refers to ?
We have it at international level. Our team has competition for all places
Not really francie. Sexton is streets ahead of the alternitives. Mike Ross also very important. We have a superb manager but he’ll need luck with injuries, if we’re to fulfill our potential. A couple of wins in autumn internationals shouldn’t be over hyped, oz & SA hardly blew all comers away outside their games with us, good to beat them but you could say we rode our luck at times & they’ll both be a different proposition in the World Cup when Cheka has time to get his message across & SA can’t play that bad again.
I think we’ve a very realistic shot at getting to the semi final …. after that it’s anyones
What’s encouraging is that I don’t see an outstanding unbeatable team that I’d really fear. Apart from the All Blacks … who are looking more beatable every time I see them … I’d give us an even money chance against anyone else.
A bit of luck with injuries to our key men and I think we’re in with a real chance.
Heard that before….
Back the truck up
Schmidt will have the squad for a few weeks before the tournament. He could do something special if we can keep key guys fit.
The players will need when the season ends at the end of May.
But if they break for too long it’s harder to get back into. The difficult bit is knowing what to do with the players in June and July so that they are ready for build up games in August.
I prefer the players to go in with that mentality than the mentality of “we don’t have a hope of winning “.
I think that Irelands strongest 15 have the ability to beat anyone in the world. We have cover in a few positions but equally we have to hope that our most important players stay fit. Sexton, Healy, SOB and POC are all unreplaceable. Madigan is a very good player but has yet to do it consistently at the top level, whereas Sexton is currently the best number 10 in the world.
Henry and Ruddock have done well when covering for SOB this past year but SOB is a beast of a man, much in the same way that Ferris was and we need him and his ball carrying skills against the bigger teams.
Healy much like SOB is a player that genuinely strikes fear into his opponents with his abrasiveness and his scrummaging skills have improved in leaps and bounds.
And whilst with everyone fit our second row is a real strength area for us there is only one Paul O’Connel.
So yeah we need the rub of the green and luck with injuries, much like we had when we won the slam….but with that bit of luck the only team that we would have to fear are the All Blacks.
Just lol
And why not ,,,,,,,,,,,,