As a Kiwi looking on from the city of Christchurch I'd like to say that I think Irish rugby is in a good spot for the future. In the first test your boys came out and looked surprisingly (for us NZer's) sharp. Ball movement was quick and the attack looked positive. Sonny-Bill Williams was nullified (in the both of the first two tests), and despite the scoreline in the first and last games, I thought your team looked excellent. The difference in the first test was Israel Dagg's willingness to run to the line, and the outside defenders being guilty of hanging off him.
That allowed Dagg and his support runners the space and time to confuse the defence. Something he's excellent at. In the second test the backline cut down his time, and he also made the error of looking to Guildford to create attacking chances with his ridiculous (that coming from a Crusaders supporter) headless chicken style of running sideways in the hopes of creating something purely by accident. The skill and strength of the Irish pack was a highlight for me. Unfortunately they couldn't get the win in that match and the All Blacks had adjusted accordingly by bringing in the power of Romano and using Retallick off the bench to ensure no more weak spots such like when Ali Williams entered the fray in game two.
Kearney's sin bin was a stupid call, but Ireland was also unlucky in that they had to face Cruden, who is possibly the staunchest player in New Zealand rugby right now, as well as being the best first five-eighth in the super XV (Carter's form has only just come back after a short season). He's been clinical in his play this year and the Irish were on the end of a lot of pent up energy.
Well done to you and your squad none the less.
© JL Pagano 2012
