Turning Point For Ireland?

I remember, in November 2000, England's gutsy try by Luger after 80 minutes to beat a Wallaby side who were the dominant Southern Hemisphere team, and reigning World Champions. They had beaten the Boks to draw a series in South Africa, but this was different. From here England seemed to grow, becoming an unstoppable force on their way to their very own World Cup victory. They embarked upon a ruthless 40 test win record in 44 tests, brushing aside seemingly everything in their path.

Could last weekends victory over New Zealand be that watershed moment in Irish rugby history, where they finally fulfill their potential and become the world's preeminent test nation? I think we can all agree that this Irish side is as complete as can be. One could hardly fathom the Boks going toe-to-toe with that performance. A performance which had the All Blacks rattled and looking shell-shocked just before the second half got underway.

The likelihood of Ireland matching England's incredible streak seems remote, but they are on quite a run of form right now. 16 wins in their past 17 tests. 16 wins which include the scalps of the entire Rugby Championship contingent and a 6 Nations Grand Slam. They seem well placed to build on their recent success, and the timing couldn't be better going into a World Cup year, brimming with confidence. 

Well, they are the Form Team in the world right now.

Bluebok

Nothing will change in the ranking of teams this year - the AB's are still no 1 and the Irish no 2.    It may be changed what happened in the Wales-SA match on Saturday as to who will be number 3 in the rankings.

As to the Irish issue - they have a good team at present - but I am not sure about their fringe players adequately backing up the main squad.   That is important when it comes to the WC campaign.

 Ireland has only the five 6-Nations tests to build up their ranking in the year up to the WC.   There may be ad-hoc tests organized in August - September next year - but have no indication what tests would be played as preparation for the WC.   Since there will be no outgoing tests for NH teams next year - the break in test rugby is going to be too long from the 6-Nations up to the WC - hence the possibility of some extra tests in  late July and August, while the SH teams play in the RC.   

Blue is right, this is uncharted waters. We've had strong Irish sides before, but this one does feel different. They've scalped the powers of the SH rugby and swept the powers of the north. That's some achievement. However, can they keep it going? As history shows, the favorites going into a world cup often don't show up. The big exception would be the English side of 2003. Though, they showed signs of the end approaching during that World Cup before their implosion in 2004.

The way we're talking about Ireland, despite it being positive, shows that there is still a sizeable gulf in quality between the hemispheres.

Had the ABs scraped a win at home against an end of season Irish side we'd hardly be singing praises.

The gap might be closing but recent events have exaggerated the pace at which it's doing so.

They didn't trouble SA too much two years ago either...and that was a new team under a plonker of a coach.

Despite them being possibly the best they've ever been one can't help but feel that this is pretty much their ceiling.

Another contributing factor in what looks to be an entertaining WC.

How many teams have the tools to take them apart? New Zealand clearly don't. South Africa is all about the pack and the boot. Australia are a mess. They can handle the NH sides, and have been dominant there for a few years now. They are versatile and with good depth. That doesn't mean they are certain World Champions, as on any day any team can rise to the occasion, the emotional Boks being a given in that department, but I'd make a case that Ireland have at least one good year in them. If they can get to the world cup in reasonable health, they'll almost certainly take some stopping. 

Here are some interesting stats. Since 24.11.2012 until last weekend, Ireland have achieved a 65% win record against the SH sides. One game includes Samoa during that span, in 2013.

Rugby Championship Opponents 

1. Argentina: 4-1-0  (80%)
2. Australia: 4-2-0  (66.7%)
3. South Africa: 3-2-0  (60%)
4. New Zealand: 2-2-0  (50%)

Ireland obviously is a very good team and they have exceptional loosies - one of which is CJ Stander.   When that name ever came up the Meyerites on site is stirred into serial attacks and delirium.

Reason - Meyer did not realize his potential of Stander as a player and preferred to use duds as loosies.   Meyer made the mistake of saying Stander as a usable player and that was echoed by the equally useless Ludeke - they both preferred duds as loosies..

If he remained in SA or was used by Meyer he would still be a top loosie - this time playing for the Springboks who really id in need of usable loosies at present.   What a loss. 

You're right, Coetzee was never a test flank.