SO, THE DREAM lives on.
Yesterday, Ireland saw off Italy in Dunedin, ensuring they progress to the quarter-finals as group winners.
Warren Gatland’s in-form Wales are next up in Wellington on Saturday morning.
The winner of that tie will face another Six Nations rival in either France or England. It will then be one of the Tri Nations sides or indeed Argentina in the decider.
So what do you think lies ahead for Declan Kidney’s men?
Poll Results:
Glorious defeat in the final (1162)
We're going to win the thing! (889)
Edged out in the semi-finals (546)
They'll lose to Wales (202)
Don't know/care (62)
Lets see if we can beat one of the form sides Wales first, they must be rubbing there hands too….no point in looking beyond this match.
I agree Kevin and I don’t believe that the Irish players and staff are thinking of anything other than the Wales match. But having said that, it doesn’t mean that we, as supporters can’t be positive and look forward to Ireland being in the final, is it? Wales and Ireland will be a fantastic contest. C’mon Ireland…..
I’m quietly confident we can go all the way.
Well Ireland and Wales are the Northern hemispheres top teams so far. I think a place in the final is possible, id love the lads to win it if SA or Aussies come out off the other side its a plausibility but I really cant see us beatin the all blacks
I think the team has that perfect balance of a high level of confidence and a low level of complacency. They are fully aware of the threat that Wales pose to their ambitions but Ireland appear to have developed a steely resolve within a united, happy group of players. We can take this thing to the final.
There’s absolutely no reason this Ireland team can’t go on and win the World Cup. Every game from now on will be a World Cup Final and will be treated as such. Confidence couldn’t be higher at the moment in the camp especially when you look at the problems other teams are having. England and France are having trouble with off-field indiscipline and the more bad press they get the better for everyone else. NZ are missing Carter which has to be good for every other teams confidence, SA are missing Steyn and Australia still don’t know who their first fifteen are.
It will be heartbreaking for Rory Best if his world cup is over but Séan Cronin has shown that he’s well capable of taking his place with some great performances over the past few weeks and the rest of the team will have noticed that. The Wales game, even more so than the Australia game, will be their biggest test in the competition so far as both teams are so similar and if… when we get past Wales then anything is possible.
I think they have had their eyes on winning for a long time now.
Has to be the all blacks for the final, regardless of their setback with Carter. Can’t see any reason why we don’t meet them there. We have a slim chance of taking them but only slim. Still, to reach a world cup off the back of such bad form in the warm ups is something to be very proud of. Come on ireland!!
Kidney used the warm ups to try new players and systems, they weren’t about results.
Not just the warm ups but the six nations too. Apart from the drumming we gave England, we didn’t really show up. To their credit, they’ve formed into a confident performing side who could take on the best in rugby and compete. And they will against Wales who are in flying form and let’s be honest, were a tough opponent for SA. They should scrape out a dirty win but nothing is etched in stone there. The outlook for that is nowhere near as certain as the semi final where we should walk through either opposition. My only concern is, regardless of who we meet, that we buckle in the final. If we get past Wales, anything could happen.
This could be our "Invictus" year! Imagine Enda handing Drico the cup!
Seriously though the lads have a great chance so let’s get behind them and cheer them till the end!
If we meet Wales then England we have a chance at the finals. I don’t think the Irish team have the self-confidence to beat the French.
Cant agree cpm. I reckon confidence is high in the camp. Beating Australia was an incredible performance and they kept the pressure on Russia and Italy, even when the game was well and truly won. Thats not something we see very often.
Do you not think that France are really poor under Lievremont? Lost to Tonga and destroyed by the All Blacks. We nearly beat them with a second-string team in bordeaux in august. I’d be more concerned about facing England right now.
nonscense thats what they will have they reach the final ,it would be the french shiting bricks lol
We’re too strong up front for Wales, Samoa would have beaten them if they had the same no of days to prepare. Our direct running will have them marching backwards. Plus Darce & BOD will handle Roberts’ Crashball runs all day.
Believe, we can handle being favourites now.
I believe there is more to come, lots. This team is putting a Herculean effort so far, Italy were swatted aside and I don’t say that lightly as they have a formidable Pack, the backs are playing better than they have for a long time. Confidence is soaring and rightly so. This team, now has the belief and talent to match the Mighty AB’s minus Mr Carter. But Wales are flying high too, they’ll be licking there lips in the valleys thinking there young bucks can tire out our so called experienced lads, personally I don’t see it. Let’s get this weekend over with but I believe there is final berth for the taking.
Impossible is nothing.
Firstly abs have no belief. it’s in the national psyche .a real fear . We’re in absolute mourning over carter and have no plan b. It will be youth and speed vs experience and brawn against Wales they pose a far greater threat than either eng or France. they can take sth Africa or abs in the final but no way will they beat Aussie back to back !!
They seem to have the right level of confidence and momentum behind them and are enjoying themselves. Wales are peaking as well but I think we have the beating of them but it won’t be easy. The level of support they have over there is bound to lend an emotional boost, especially lifting the tired bodies towards the end of a hard match. This is as good a chance as is ever likely to present itself but one step at a time.
NewZealand without Carter are definitely beatable! Ireland will never have a better chance than now! I’d be surprised if they don’t beat Wales by at least 12 points! England or France should be just as easy! Ireland have been close to defeating the all blacks quite a few times lately! I think that their time has come
Easy tiger, one step at a time!
40 people voted dont know dont care why read or vote on it???????
Just keeping my fingers crossed. One game at a time
Ireland have a squad of seasoned cup winners. Most of them were not at the last world cup but have the experience of a grand slam and hieneken cup wins.
The leadership within that group of players is huge and everyone is standing up to be counted…
They know just what it takes and now have momentum going into the q- final.
After the six nations game against Wales, we owe them one for that dodgy try.
Won’t say more than this ;
This team have the potential to beat anyone on any given day…..
One day at a time !!!!!
hopefully, they will do well on Saturday. we need something to lift the gloom.
If you look at the draw you can see that right now Ireland really do have a chance to win this thing, it will take some spilled blood and broken bones perhaps on the way but this team is as good if not better than almost any left in the tournament. With NZ set a favorites the pressure is on them and with the loss of Carter its all to play for, Ireland will need some luck and a lot of courage along the way but I say lets dare to dream just for once that this is really possible!!! God knows our country needs it!
One day at a time sweet Jesus!!! That song means a lot now! Wales are the biggest upcoming challenge. Lets get through that game. We have beaten all the northern hemisphere teams with the team playing and gelling this well. If they continue the form of the last 3 games we have a great chance.
Ah sure it’s only a game to game event over burnt toast and weak Barrys Tea.
Is it too late to nominate Deccie for the presidency? I was going to write in Bill Clinton as a spoil. I heard the families have moved out to join the team. Fun over. Oi need to find a time zone to watch these matches in beer time and really celebrate.