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A 'healthy beast', a need to improve and Chicago 2016: How Irish media are building up this week's All Blacks Test

November 12, 2018
L_R Waisake Naholo, Liam Squire, Ryan Crotty, Aaron Cruden and TJ Perenara during the playing of the national anthems.
New Zealand All Blacks v Ireland test match rugby at Soldier Field in Chicago, USA. Saturday 5 November 2016. © Copyright Photo: Andrew Cornaga / www.Photosport.nz

Irish media are entering this week’s build-up to the highly-anticipated clash between Ireland and the All Blacks with caution despite both sides showing moments of vulnerability over the weekend.

The All Blacks held on for a 16-15 win over England at Twickenham yesterday while Ireland outlasted Argentina 28-17.

But despite the bigger margin, the Irish Independent’s Neil Francis says he "hasn't seen Ireland play this badly in a long time".

"There will be no jingoistic 'Bring on the All Blacks' after that performance.

"There is an absolute here, and it is this Ireland won yesterday because they were fitter than Argentina, and they were able to outlast them.

"That won't happen against New Zealand, who were decidedly average in Twickenham yesterday. The Kiwis play in rain just as much as we do yet their performance was tactically myopic, trusting too much in their ability to play the kicking game in behind.

"But if Ireland had played the All Blacks yesterday, on the same pitch, in the same conditions, it would have been a return to the good old days of the 50-point thrashings."

The Irish Examiner’s Simon Lewis agreed, saying while Argentina was a "tough Test", a completely different challenge awaits them this week.

"Though Ireland struggled at times to impose their game on their Southern Hemisphere opponents they outscored the Pumas by three tries to one, but will have to improve considerably if they are to challenge the All Blacks at the Aviva in seven days."

RTE's Micil Glennon says Ireland may be thankful for the TMO call that denied England a potentially game-winning try though, as it means the All Blacks aren’t coming off a loss.

"'The All Blacks are like a wounded beast' would have been the narrative had they succumbed to the Red Rose. That is, more dangerous than normal healthy beasts, who just happen to be double Webb Ellis champs and the world's top-ranked side.

"Yes, of course they are a heck of a team, but they're now, courtesy of that victory, not a heck of a team staring at back-to-back losses and all the jazz that comes with that."

The Herald's Des Berry was a bit more hopeful though, citing Ireland’s historic 2016 win in Chicago as well as coach Joe Schmidt’s option to rest some key players against the Pumas.

"The groundwork was done in Chicago.

"It is up to those allowed to rest up last week to show why they should be retained for New Zealand next week."

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