2023-10-09 18:37:08
The world is so upside down that you’d think you were sitting on the benches of an Auckland school, with your nose facing a world map. Saturday evening at the Stade de France, Ireland will attack their World Cup quarter-final on Saturday (9 p.m.) against New Zealand with a favorite costume that is difficult to imagine for a cursed nation at this stage (seven defeats in as many disputed quarters). Conversely, it would usually be difficult to include the All Blacks, three times crowned and eliminated only once before the semi-finals (by France in 2007), in the category of outsiders.
The dynamics encountered during the group stage, however, tend towards this balance of power – which provides no guarantee as to the outcome. New Zealand inflicted three cards on Namibia, Italy and Uruguay, but remains with two scathing defeats against major nations (13-27 against France; 7-35 against South Africa). For its part, Ireland muzzled the Springboks (13-8) and stunned Scotland (36-14), extending its crazy series to 17 consecutive victories. “New Zealand has a crazy team and for Ireland, it’s the most prestigious draw possible,” coach Andy Farrell still swore after the demonstration against Chardon.
Such courtesies are commonplace in international rugby, but in reality Ireland can hardly hide it. Since its first victory against the Blacks in 2016 (40-29 in Chicago), the XV du Trèfle has won four times. Better still, he inflicted a traumatic double setback on New Zealand on home soil in the summer of 2022 (23-12 and 32-22). “It taught us a lot, especially in view of the Tournament, it’s what allowed us to make the Grand Slam,” confirmed captain Jonathan Sexton at a press conference.
A victory would be historic in two ways
“We can’t wait to play them again, they’re a team we’ve faced a lot in recent years,” confirmed third row Jack Conan in the mixed zone on Saturday evening. “This tour hurt them, it’s probably still in their minds,” continued defense coach Simon Easterby. But Saturday will be a different context. » Even if the lights are green, the Irish do not forget the trauma of Tokyo four years ago, when they were dried out (46-14) by the unleashed Blacks.
“This match will undoubtedly be an important factor for Saturday’s match,” assures Easterby. But new blood arrived and since then, we have also had incredible experiences. » James Lowe, Mack Hansen, Bundee Aki, Dan Sheehan or Caelan Doris, major architects of the last Grand Slam, did not experience this disillusionment. Even if this golden generation will never admit it, a victory against New Zealand is, for them, normal. With one more success, it will have made history doubly: not content with finally defeating the Indian sign in the quarterfinals, Ireland will have equaled the record of 18 victories in a row co-held by England (2016-17) and …New Zealand (2015-16).
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