"I started a joke, that started the whole world ......" | Ireland v New Zealand.

Ireland need to shake that small time just happy to be here attitude in sports in general but especially in rugby. It's a sport only played by a handful of nations to a decent standard in the whole world and to never win a knockout game at a world cup is beyond pathetic.

A few thoughts on Ireland in this World Cup.

When I started watching rugby, Ireland would be beaten routinely by the likes of Scotland and Wales and humiliated routinely by the likes of England and France. Beating the All Blacks was a pipe dream.

The achievements of the current squad, and the way in which they go about their business, continues to amaze me. This outfit should be recognised as a source of national pride and joy.

On the game, Barnes' performance was excellent and should not be mentioned as a factor.

The better team on the night won deservedly. They are billed as a relatively poor All Black team, but they remain an All Black team. Their discipline (outside of the two yellows) and game management was excellent. They rucked and defended like madmen and displayed attacking flair when the opportunity knocked. It was the best performance by any team at the WC so far and I now back them to win the entire thing.

Ireland showed tremendous craft at times and tremendous resilience at all times.

However, the set pieces malfunctioned and that cost them dearly. They weren't getting to rucks or chasing kicks with the savage urgency of their opponents. The back row was outplayed, Sexton was outplayed. Ireland were greedy in going for the line instead of sensibly taking 3 on two occasions that I can recall.

James Ryan's heft and ferocity in the breakdown was severely missed on the night.

They got tired. I recognise the advantages of Farrell's policy of minimal deviation from his favoured core, but I feel it may have backfired. A second 15 should have been picked to dispatch Tonga, and I feel the argument was strong for rotation versus the Scots. The depth should have been better trusted. O'Brien and McCarthy proved so in outstanding cameos.

Still, Ireland did not play badly. It's possible to play well and still lose to a team who play better.

It was a mere 4 points after by far the best contest of this tournament, and what should be remember as one of the great World Cup encounters.

Talk of "chokers", "bottlers" and other unfair denigrations of this fine unit is the product of trolling, hurt feelings and/or small, spoilt minds.

The future remains bright and Farrell remains the man for the foreseeable.

I sure did, lovely chap indeed, his parents must be proud of him.

Anyone know what price New Zealand were in the bookies to beat Ireland last night?

What a brilliant post - balanced, fair and optimistic. I'm still gutted this morning - will we ever have such a chance again to lift the Rugby World Cup?

D

exactly,NZ and the top teams turn up when it matters. We celebrate when we win a test match, whilst it matters to NZ to lose at the end if the day it is just a warm up and suss your opponent progress match. And to suggest having a homecoming/civic reception is laughable same as the football team. Little ol Ireland attitude, embarrassing! There are about 8 nations , good at rugby and we are about 6th in that table. Wake up, cause when you do the the actual Rugby team might take notice that more is expected. Same as the football team afraid to take that next step up and compete and beat the best!

I think 1/1 or 11/10 , ireland were slight favorites at 8/11ish