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

Yeah I've heard from a few different people about Sexton v Ioane and POM v Rettallick. Definitely a bit of animosity between the teams or at least some players. But that only comes about when you're equals. If that makes sense.

@awec Ireland definitely didn't play as well as they can but I think a lot of credit for that has to go to the ABs. I felt that Ireland had the ABs under pressure at times with their maul, their phase play, their defence and some line breaks. One issue Ireland has with linebreaks is the general lack of pace in the Irish team. And the ABs scramble really well. I think it the first try the Italians scored against us in the pool match, as Ange was going for the corner there were at least 5 ABs corner flagging.

I've been thinking about it and do wonder if the IRFU needs a new mental skills coach. Now hear me out. A lot of players do seem to make uncharacteristic errors in big games where they are favourites (even just slight favourites). I'm thinking England for the GS, Saturdays QF and Leinster in recent finals. Now obviously the opposition gets a say in those matches but I do wonder if its something to be looked at. I hope it is part of the review.

😁 FFS. yeh we always fail.

We have won everything available to win in rugby (country and province) several times, except a WC.

Yeh we always fail.

Away outta that! 😁

The problem with being mouthy on the field is you like a right tool when u lose. Cane had plenty of reasons to give out verbally but instead just went out and played the house down. Some segments (a small number) of Irish fans and media have morphed into exactly the thing they profess to dislike about kiwis. Here’s a nice little clip of some guy called Derek McNamara. Comes across as a sanctimonious git. Respect opposition teams and do talking on the field.

You're being a bit revisionist there. It was 5 tournaments they failed at not 6. And there is no way you can say they were massive favourites in 1995, 99 or 2003 when you look at their results the previous year or even the same year. They shat the bed in the games against France in 99 (but Aus were favourites) and 2007. Maybe the semi in 2003 (Eddie Jones masterclass) but England were favourites.

Anyway, those failures were the reason why they got Gilbert Enoka involved. It took time but it did make a difference in the end.

I don't anything about Keegan or how long he has been involved but I would hope that what he is doing is part of the review and that he is taking a lot of learnings from this match if he is going to stay involved. I assume, based on what you have said about him, that he will. And he will improve.

Awec's suggestion might have some merit. Hiring a recent winner as a consultant of some sort. Obvious choice would be Felix Jones.

Yes & yes

I really don't understand the Cane hate. He was off his game for a while coming back from injury but he's consistently been one of the best performers for NZ in this competition and he put Ireland's back row down on Saturday. More than that he's been consistently selected and given the arm band by NZ even when there were phenomenal alternatives available, people are crazy to think the ABs are selecting him on reputation or sentiment.

In fairness the no dickhead thing was always PR, they've never had a problem selecting guys who've beaten up their partners for example. By most measures that would qualify someone for the dickhead category. For me Ioane has always been their poorest back, he can run with the ball and is a very good winger but at 13 we have always taken advantage of him, see Bundie's try on Saturday for another example.

Oh, I agree. People can do what they want, including making noise when someone is kicking. It doesn't bother me.

I think ‘rotation’ might be the biggest takeaway lesson for us at this WC.

Most ungracious? LOL. Aside from Jacovs, all other SA fans seem to do is come and take a dump on this forum. Rugbymad and company. Kiwis on this forum are few and far between but we do try and contribute. As an aside, would people generally describe Irish fans as gracious losers? At the Paris pub on Saturday I presented my genuine commiserations to an Irish lady in her sixties. Thought she might shoot me, the look I got. The lippy NZ players would be Coles and Ioane. But Ireland can really have no complaints. Sexton is never short of something to say and POM has his moments too. My favourite Irish players are ringrose and Keenan - really intelligent footballers. Cant really understand kiwis with no family ties such as Irish parents or grandparents signing up to play their country of birth. Especially 2 lads with Māori blood given a section of Irish fans never stop giving out about the haka. But there we go.

The reactions from some posters are a bit over the top. Just read through last 10 pages or so. Ireland had a good tournament, didn't put a foot wrong until Saturday when unfortunately there are no 2nd chances.

Personally, I think the vast majority of people I talked to underestimated NZ hugely, mainly because of their performance v SA in Twickenham, for which they apparently only landed in England the day before. They beat SA convincingly in rugby championship like only they can. Yes, they lost 1st match v France but were in a group where they scored 96 pts against the 3rd placed team so were always getting out of that group.

And remember our series win, they scored 40+ pts in opening test in Auckland against us. So they can turn it on for sure.

The current NZ 23, if they get their act together, have a higher ceiling than any other in the tournament IMO. They may not win it, but I make them favourites. If it comes to pass, I hope they force SA to play rugby like France did by scoring early.

We definitely could have started lads like McCarthy, Baird, McCloskey, O'Toole and others in those 1st 2 games. Bringing Earls, McCloskey and Kilcoyne was also a mistake imo, another backrow forward, and utility back would've allowed for better rotation.

Agree on that, he was very good on the weekend, but can't honestly say it was worth the extra minutes it forced on Doris etc, when Prendergast or someone could've been playing instead

From rewatching, it looked like Kelleher allowed himself to get unbound from his blockers as they drove for the line. Just poorly done on his part. I'd wager Herring would've scored that tbh.

Scotland one of the few (the only?) major nation to still not have beaten NZ. There, that’s my Kiwi arrogance shining through 😛

The vast majority of us are happy there’s another major rivalry now. Especially given how Australia have fallen away.