
Rugby
Share
Published 16:17 15 Nov 2018 GMT
Explore more on these topics:
Both teams are priced at even money right now, which really puts it into perspective how close these two teams are.
Last week the All Blacks laboured to a one point win over England in Twickenham which has done even more to suggest that the time is now for Ireland to step up and defeat New Zealand in Dublin.
Among the many All Black's legends in town this week for the eagerly anticipated game is Conrad Smith, and the former New Zealand centre was one of our special guests on Baz and Andrew's House of Rugby live show from the Guinness Open Gate Brewery.
The legendary All Black referenced how New Zealand struggled last week against England and failed capitalise on opportunities that more than likely will be punished by Ireland this weekend.
"Especially some of the coaching staff would have been looking back on the footage of all the recent games, not just the Argentinean one, and they'll have a few areas that they want to attack, the same way the Irish would towards the All Blacks." Smith said. "But no, look, I don't think they'd have any view like that. I mean, against the English, at the weekend, I think we made about 15 or so line breaks - a lot of line breaks - and we didn't convert many of them. That would be more of an area of focus for the team - on ourselves rather than [Ireland]. "We need to make sure that if we are even able to get nine or 10 line breaks, that we capitalise on it better than we did against the English."
Smith went on to pay Joe Schmidt's men a huge compliment ahead of this weekend's test match, claiming that New Zealand will most certainly be looking at Ireland as a better team than their English counterparts.
Becasue the Irish... they will view the Irish as a better team than the English. That's no doubt and they'll be preparing to improve. They'll be wanting to improve on their performance. And they'll be saying, 'Look, if we play like we did on the weekend, we'll lose'. That's, I think, the whole mentality for the side this week.A huge compliment that is fully justified given how Ireland have performed over the last two seasons. https://www.facebook.com/manstuff/videos/1950749791893016/
Prendergast admits huge disappointment at Munster situation
Not ideal. It’s worrying times for Munster rugby at the moment, with problems on and off the field. After being knocked out of both the Champions Cup and Challenge Cup, controversy then surrounded the appointment of Roger Randle for next season, due to historic rape accusations. The New Zealander is coming in to replace senior […]
Rugby
11h
Kerry legend slams players for reaction to Michael Murphy punch
Not under his watch! Although the dust has pretty much settled after the Michael Murphy incident during Donegal’s NFL Division 1 final win over Kerry last month, one Kingdom legend is still not pleased with what went on. Most of the criticism was levelled at Murphy for his clear-as-day punch on Dylan Casey, as well […]
Rugby
12h
Rugby
The SportsJOE Friday Pub Quiz: Week 134
Rugby