THE ROPE-A-DOPE HAS dragged on for 108 years with with Ireland sharing the spoils on one occasion. The other 26 rounds have gone to the All Black corner.
This Sunday at Lansdowne Road, Ireland will pitch their greatest ever player and his teammates into battle against the world champions. Let us cast our doubts to one side and focus on the positives as, for the 28th time, 15 Irishmen look to create history.
Here are nine reasons to be hopeful ahead of Sunday’s clash at Lansdowne Road.
1. We’ve got an inside man on the Kiwi state of mind
Joe Schmidt will be keen to pull one over on his fellow countrymen and will have his squad primed for the All Black challenge. Leinster benefited to the tune of four cups in three years under stead stead. His enthusiasm is said to be infectious and his hands-on training drills [see video] could be the key to unlocking the Kiwis.
3. Sonny Bill Williams is off chasing Rugby League glory
Take that Papua New Guinea! Dave Howarth/DAH Sports Images/Press Association Images
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4. Brian O’Driscoll MUST beat the All Blacks once… surely?!
Remember the sheer brilliance of this one-handed scoop in 2010?
BOD is due some success after being battered, bruised and speared by the ruthless AB’s over the years.
Heartbreak in Christchurch in 2012. INPHO/Billy Stickland
5. Richie McCaw is due another yellow card one of these years
The All Blacks captain has been sent to the sin bin once in his 123-Test career. He earned the yellow card against Wales in 2006. Seven years and countless infringements later and Richie is still plugging away.
Sure take a rest there Richie. No need to stay on your feet. INPHO/Billy Stickland
The great man told the Sydney Morning Herald in 2010: "I always think the things I'm trying to do are the right things and if he's penalising me for some reason I think 'jeez. I'm not going to get away with that today' or 'that's not going to work with this ref'. Each ref is a little bit different. I have a fairly good understanding of where they'll sit, just through experiences."
6. There are 11 victorious British & Irish Lions in the starting XV
Sean O'Brien, Conor Murray, Tommy Bowe and Jonathan Sexton all starred in the crucial third Test win over Australia and must have some confidence in reserve. Cian Healy and Paul O'Connell would have started that finale had injury not intervened. Gordon D'Arcy was a Lion in 2005.
O'Brien and Murray added to their rugby reputations Down Under. INPHO/Dan Sheridan
7. Hosea Gear is not playing
Poor Keith Earls' jaw is still ringing after this fend-off in 2012:
Just a thought ……
Given that Isaac Boss is born in NZ he is ‘entitled’ to do the Haka in front of the NZ team on Sunday. Munster did it in 2010 to great affect.
It would get the crowd going and reverse some of the psychological affect that the NZ team have.
It’s actually incredible to think that McCaw has only been sent to the bin once in his career for the ABs.
Most telling quote in the article came from him though, he pushes to the absolute limit what he can get away with in each game, according to who is reffing. This is what all great players do in every sport, especially where there is a bit of a grey area in the rules. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to win.
What horse shite none of these make Ireland have a chance the ABs have strength all over the place unlike most northern team who have one or two big hitters these boys will have lads all over the pitch that will die for that black jersey
Get gerry adams to pay a visit to the All Blacks dressing room before the game & show them a video of all the atrocities he ordered during the troubles & they will be so terrified we will win handy.
Ireland havnt a hope,pointless article.Team selection all wrong.The form no.8 for the past 3 seasons james coughlan gets no recognition,Heaslip was good but bulked up too much and therefore slowed down.Switch o brien to 8 which would give us yardage and break the gain line,have jennings at 7 to compete with richie.Richie mccaw isnt the force he was but still world class.Toner has to be included for obious reasons but lkacks ballast for the scrum.Darcy couldnt and hasnt made a break in 3 years,cant pitch old men against the likes of nonu,smith,savea,what the fxck are we thinking?marshall should have been included,as i think he makes good ground and can obly get better.Wales blood all there players young,eg.north,davies,warburton and amos on the wing this weekend.Whereas we wait till there 23,24 to blood them.Seriously something wrong……And then pick fitgerald on the bench a guy who cant go 2 games witjout his body giving up…..
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Just a thought ……
Given that Isaac Boss is born in NZ he is ‘entitled’ to do the Haka in front of the NZ team on Sunday. Munster did it in 2010 to great affect.
It would get the crowd going and reverse some of the psychological affect that the NZ team have.
The All blacks would too busy laughing to play.. Good plan
Munster did in 2008
It’s actually incredible to think that McCaw has only been sent to the bin once in his career for the ABs.
Most telling quote in the article came from him though, he pushes to the absolute limit what he can get away with in each game, according to who is reffing. This is what all great players do in every sport, especially where there is a bit of a grey area in the rules. You have to be willing to do whatever it takes to win.
What horse shite none of these make Ireland have a chance the ABs have strength all over the place unlike most northern team who have one or two big hitters these boys will have lads all over the pitch that will die for that black jersey
Lighten up dude.
Just hope there’s a good atmosphere and a bit of roaring on Sunday.
Aussie match atmosphere was dreadful.
10. Because, we can.
Get gerry adams to pay a visit to the All Blacks dressing room before the game & show them a video of all the atrocities he ordered during the troubles & they will be so terrified we will win handy.
You fool Martin! Clown.
You are giving clare people a bad name with your ill judged stupid comment
What a great thing the internet is that it lets tits like Martin make stupid comments.
Ireland havnt a hope,pointless article.Team selection all wrong.The form no.8 for the past 3 seasons james coughlan gets no recognition,Heaslip was good but bulked up too much and therefore slowed down.Switch o brien to 8 which would give us yardage and break the gain line,have jennings at 7 to compete with richie.Richie mccaw isnt the force he was but still world class.Toner has to be included for obious reasons but lkacks ballast for the scrum.Darcy couldnt and hasnt made a break in 3 years,cant pitch old men against the likes of nonu,smith,savea,what the fxck are we thinking?marshall should have been included,as i think he makes good ground and can obly get better.Wales blood all there players young,eg.north,davies,warburton and amos on the wing this weekend.Whereas we wait till there 23,24 to blood them.Seriously something wrong……And then pick fitgerald on the bench a guy who cant go 2 games witjout his body giving up…..
I know I will get a load of red thumbs for saying this. Ireland havent a hope of beating New Zealand.
On Any Given Sunday……
Connor Murray didn’t start the finale against Australia
Also allows people tell him what a test he is