Ireland will play New Zealand in the 2nd World Cup quarter final this Saturday at 11.15am. Ireland have faced New Zealand 4 times under Joe Schmidt and three times since the 2015 World Cup, winning twice in 2016 and 2018.
The questions of the Irish campaign have started up again after mixed performances against the 3 opposing teams in Pool A. The manner of the display against both Samoa and Scotland gave rise to some real positivity but the loss to Japan quelled some of that good mood.
New Zealand will be well warned of what to expect when facing Ireland and after being beaten by Ireland in November 2018 New Zealand will be going full throttle to make sure Ireland don’t register a 3rd win over New Zealand under Joe Schmidt. It could be Joe Schmidt’s final game at Ireland head coach if the result does not work out so you can be certain he will have 1 or 2 tricks up his sleeve that supporters will not have seen before.
Steve Hansen has indicated he make try and “trick” Schmidt with some moves we haven’t seen before. For an Irish rugby player the sight of an England shirt usually does enough to get people up for the challenge and you can put that famous shirt with the silver fern on that list.
It is another chance for Ireland to make a World Cup Semi Final where they are pencilled into face either England or Australia… Here is the XV I would select to play New Zealand to play in the Quarter Final….
15 Andrew Conway
14 Keith Earls
13 Gary Ringrose
12 Robbie Henshaw
11 Jacob Stockdale
10 Jonathan Sexton
9 Conor Murray
8 CJ Stander
7 Josh Van Der Flier
6 Tadgh Beirne
5 James Ryan
4 Iain Henderson
3 Tadgh Furlong
2 Niall Scannell
1 Cian Healy
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16 Sean Cronin
17 Dave Kilcoyne
18 Andrew Porter
19 Rhys Ruddock
20 Peter O Mahony
21 Luke Mc Grath
22 Joey Carbery
23 Chris Farrell