The World Cup is Here

So Rugby World Cup 2011 has finally kicked off down in the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’- New Zealand. It’s been four years since South Africa became World Champions in Paris and the rugby world has changed a lot since then. Most notably in the way in which the game is being played, gone are the endless ping pong kicking contests and defensive rugby. The top teams, Australia and New Zealand in particular, are embracing a more expansive game plan. For this reason I believe that this renewal of the tournament promises to be exciting and engaging. This is not to say that the game has no problems, issues over scrumaging and the contest at the breakdown continue to be a bugbear for fans and players. The IRB needs to rectify these issues if the game is going to continue to expand and develop in the future.

Anyone who watched this morning’s game will be aware that New Zealand looked scintillating at times yet it has to be said they stuttered through the second half as Tonga showed that they are no pushovers. The most startling aspect of the New Zealand performance this morning was how few bodies they were committing at ruck time, they were therefore able to fan out and keep a strong defensive line. A team with more tactical nous than the Tongans possibly would have been able to take advantage of this ruck policy. If the Tongans had a fly half who could kick the ball in behind the New Zealand defence then perhaps they could have gotten a few more scores. New Zealand looked comfortable with ball in hand yet were unable to make their class count. In years gone by New Zealand teams would have racked up a big score and dished out a 60+ drubbing. It’s too soon to criticise this team but did the pressure get to them a bit? Several of their players had stunning matches however. Sonny Bill Williams looked great, though I’m still of the impression that he is a one trick pony and that one trick, his single handed offload out of the tackle, may not work against big defences where he is sure to be double teamed. Expect Nonu and Smith to start in the centres when the big boys come out to play. Richard Kahui was excellent as was Israel Dagg and they will put pressure on Cory Jane and Mils Muliaina for starting spots. All in all it was a performance which merited pass marks and New Zealand will get better.



Ireland also named their starting line up for our opening game against the USA on Sunday morning in New Plymouth. The inclusion of Munster’s young scrum half Conor Murray in the team is very interesting. He’s a big, strong player with a very good boot and a good pass, if he goes well and forms an understanding with Jonno Sexton then he will put himself right in the frame to start against the Aussies next week. What is clear though, is that Declan Kidney has no great faith in Eoin Reddan. As a Leinster fan I am loathe to criticise the player but he is prone to making poor decisions and is almost guaranteed to make one mistake per match and at the highest level those mistakes will be punished. Murray now has the chance to claim a starting place in Ireland biggest match of the pool stages. The inclusion of Keith Earls over Andrew Trimble is baffling. Trimble was easily Ireland best back in the disastrous warm ups and Earls got on the plane by the skin of his teeth ahead of Luke Fitzgerald. Earls is quick and on his day is a very dangerous proposition for any defence but he hasn’t shown enough of that in an Ireland shirt to justify his inclusion here. Geordan Murphy starting at full back has been well flagged by the management as they want to ensure Rob Kearney is 100% ready to play against Australia whilst Shane Jennings and Tom Court also starting is a necessity given the concerns over Sean O’Brien and Cian Healy.


Ireland need a big performance against the USA this weekend. The team needs to cut out the mistakes which plagued the warm-ups and show an intent and directness which was missing from those games. Ireland have the potential to be the best Northern Hemisphere side at this World Cup, we have the players to do it. A big performance against the Americans will go some of the way to achieving that goal. C’mon Ireland!