But it may not be that easy.
Rob Kearney celebrates his team's 40-29 victory over the All Blacks in Chicago. Photo: AFP
The All Blacks are playing Ireland isn’t normally a big deal, except that two weeks ago the All Blacks lost to Ireland and momentarily the world (well, New Zealand at least) stopped.
Perhaps showing a new level of maturity, our country’s rugby-loving public dealt with this quite well. We like Ireland, they seem super cool. They played really well and deserved to win and if anything we were kinda happy for them finally getting a W against us.
The All Blacks needed to lose one eventually and we’re glad it was them and not someone we hate, like England. Thing is though, we’re not really that mature. One loss is enough. Let’s not lie to ourselves.
Not only do we want the All Blacks to comfortably win tomorrow mornings's rematch against Ireland, we’re all quietly hoping they absolutely crush them, remind them who's boss, or something along those lines. But it may not be a walk in an emerald field.
THIS A HOMETOWN SHOW FOR THE IRISH
Irish fan watching the world through emerald-tinted glasses. Photo: AFP
Although a few key things of the All Blacks own doing did contribute to their demise in Chicago, Ireland went out and won that game by playing a much smarter, aggressive and varied style than the All Blacks.
Ireland are already a very feisty and tough team to beat at home, but coming off of their first ever win against the All Blacks they will be filled with confidence which will only grow in front of their home crowd.
Often teams beat the All Blacks when they’ve had an off day then get blown off the park in their next meeting. I don’t think it’s going to be that simple for the All Blacks this time.
Ireland have made only one change to their starting lineup and I wonder if Joe Smichdt, knowing the All Blacks will have worked hard on the key areas Ireland exploited last time, will change up the game plan slightly to keep them guessing.
Ireland know you can’t play timid or predictable rugby to beat the All Blacks and will again play with nothing to lose.
YOU CAN’T PUSH AROUND THE ALL BLACKS AND NOT PAY FOR IT LATER
TJ Perenara in mid-haka. Photo: AFP
The All Blacks respond to losses the way Lebron does to trash talking, in an apocalyptic how dare you manner. I honestly think they’re still mad about how the Wallabies were dicks over five years ago and that’s why they keep annihilating them.
I suspect the All Blacks are up for this more than any other game since the World Cup. In particular expect to see a very physical effort from the forward pack wanting to atone for being pushed around a bit last time, albeit a man down. This also fits with how they might look to play the game a lot tighter early on. In Chicago, the All Blacks were guilty of trying to play expansive before they’d earned the right to by winning the forward battle and getting front-foot ball.
Don’t be surprised to see the All Blacks play a lot more conservatively by kicking for territory and using pick and go play in the forwards to gain ascendancy and tire the Irish out, before hoping to open up later in the game. Either way there will be a lot of aggression in the tackle and rucks.
RETALLICK AND WHITELOCK ARE LOCKED IN
The gargantuan Brodie Retallick. Photo: AFP
Back in the side this week are Brodie Retallick and Sam Whitelock, aka the best locking partnership in world rugby. Being without those guys in Chicago was like those dreams when you turn up to school in your underwear and your life slowly but surely falls apart due to not having clothes on.
Their return will mean the All Blacks should be able to secure their own lineouts and even disrupt the Irish lineouts, which could give the All Black back a crucial attacking platform and take one away from the Irish at times. Retallick and Whitelock will also add a lot more power to the forward pack which they will want to exploit.
Also crucial this week is how Aaron Smith goes. He’s been off for a little while now but the coaches will be hoping the stakes of this game get him back into a focused state of mind, and get back to being a point of difference on attack with his clean and long passing.
However, it will be interesting to see how long the coaches persist with him on the park if he puts in another sub par performance and the game is close. The game in Chicago finally started to turn when TJ Peranara was brought on. The All Blacks seem to lift and gain a bit more clarity when he’s involved, which is weird.
THOSE FINAL PUNISHING MINUTES
Irish wing Keith Earls scoring against Canada last weekend. Photo: AFP
In Chicago, the All Blacks ability to punish the opposition’s lack of fitness in the last 20 minutes was severely blunted by playing a man down earlier in the game and a crazy injury toll meaning they needed to bring their bench on much earlier, with many players out of position.
Even with that the Irish looked out on their feet for a lot of the second-half. If the All Blacks can stay injury-free and actually hold the ball and force the Irish to defend for longer periods earlier in the game they will be able to run them off their feet later on with their superior bench.
PREDICTION
Things will be very tight for the first half, but All Blacks will win the game in the final 20 minutes. The margin may be closer than we’re used to though - 8 - 10 points.
