AllBlacks80Couch Critic previews Saturday's Rugby World Cup quarter final clash between New Zealand and Ireland with best bets from @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

 

It’s knockout rugby time! Here is how I see things going down in the quarter final between New Zealand and Ireland.

 

New Zealand vs Ireland, Saturday 19 October @ 12:15 (Tokyo)

 

What you need to know

 

It’s been a long time between drinks for the All Blacks. They were asked to work hard against the Springboks but only really showed their best attacking ability in fifteen or twenty minutes of that clash. The time for saving your best for later is over and it’s time for the real, ruthless, cut-throat World Champion side everyone knows is never too far away for being unleashed.

Ireland came into the big event with most fearing that the World Cup had come a year or so too late for Joe Schmidt’s side. They started the tournament with a bang by humbling Scotland yet were tripped up by host nation Japan in a shock loss. Ireland ended up having to settle for second place in Pool A and now face the nightmare assignment of having to tackle the mighty New Zealanders.

 

How I see it panning out

 

Apart from perhaps the Springboks the only team in World Rugby who have proven capable of beating the All Blacks is Ireland. The advantage for the Irish is that their natural game is one which suits knockout rugby.

On the face of things New Zealand are attempting to go deep in the World Cup with a very inexperienced backline. Mo’unga tasked with orchestrating everything from ten is still inexperienced as are both starting wingers and even Goodhue at centre. If Ireland are able to really turn on the pressure the youngsters could slip up. Yet I believe the All Blacks are going to be chomping at the bit to unleash their attacking best and I see them winning with a bit of room to spare in the end when they have eventually weathered the early storm from their opponents.

 

Betting Strategy

 

Much like with the Wallabies over England, the Irish will hope they can catch the All Blacks cold. The very best Kiwi outfit have only had one outing against the Springboks and they could take some time to get going in this clash. However I still see the men in black clicking eventually and putting Ireland to the sword.

It’s only Retallick’s second match back but the big rig will be keen to make his presence felt so I would be surprised to see the big man cross the whitewash. And of course Coles isn’t the typical hooker who gets into the drive and rumbles all that much but playing looser and hanging around the wider channels should see him be a real runner of getting a late score.

 

Special Play 1: New Zealand to lead by 1-8 points at half time and win by 13 or more @ 7.20

Special Play 2: Last Tryscorer – Dane Coles @ 19.00

Special Play 3: Anytime Tryscorer – Brodie Retallick @ 7.20

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic