Ireland host the All Blacks d at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday in the pick of the weekend’s Autumn Internationals.
Ireland v New Zealand
13 November
Aviva Stadium
17:15
To WinMatch
Ireland 33/10 | Draw 25/1 | New Zealand 2/9
Handicap
Ireland (+10.5) 9/10 | New Zealand (-10.5) 9/10
Ireland host New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Saturday in the pick of the weekend’s Autumn Internationals.
Andy Farrell’s men come off the back of a nine-try, 60-5 rout of Japan that has many of their supporters wagging their tails at the team’s attacking, offloading brand of rugby. Heading into this week, however, skipper Jonathan Sexton warned that the hosts will need to vary their game significantly if they are to defeat the All Blacks for just the third time in 32 attempts.
Sexton, who last week played his 100th Test match for Ireland and scored 16-points, has also suggested that his side will be looking to avenge the 46-14 hiding they copped against the All Blacks in the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarterfinal.
Some, including former coach Eddie O’Sullivan, believe it is not beyond the realms of possibility that they can indeed achieve something very special this week. Under Farrell, the Irish are playing a very different game to that of the ultra-conservative Joe Schmidt — something, again, for which some Ireland supporters are incredibly thankful — but this week’s game will serve as a proper yardstick for this group of players, as they prepare to tackle the might of the No 1 team on the planet.
Champagne rugby from Ireland! 🍾 @bundeeaki12 finishes another sensational team move, what a performance this has been! 😮 #AutumnNationsSeries #IREvJPN @IrishRugby pic.twitter.com/1cC3mQXCex
— Autumn Nations Series (@autumnnations) November 6, 2021
The All Blacks’ second-stringers saw off Italy 47-9 in Rome last week, but their year-end tour certainly goes up a level in the coming fortnight. After their date in Dublin, Ian Foster’s charges head off to Paris for a clash with the French at the Stade de France. It is in these two Tests that the success of their tour will be determined.
Sevu Reece and Brad Weber are a doubt, but that should hardly matter considering the strength in depth of their back three and with Aaron Smith back.
After a slow start under Foster, these All Blacks seem to be clicking and that’s not a good sign for the rest of the international rugby community.
Verdict: New Zealand (-10.5) 9/10
Despite what many in the Irish media have said, I think the All Blacks will take this one comfortably.
