All Blacks vs Ireland game billed as Godzilla vs Kong clash

All Blacks vs Ireland game billed as Godzilla vs Kong clash

By Alipate Narawa
Friday 08/11/2024
Photo: Stuff.co

The All Blacks v Ireland World Cup quarterfinal rematch is being billed as a Godzilla vs Kong clash.

The All Blacks haven’t beaten Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium since 2016.

Heck, even head coach Scott Robertson couldn’t help but be impressed as an Irish reporter paint what some might describe as a bleak picture for the All Blacks not only did he use words like “anger” and “atonement” when describing how Ireland were approaching the match, he indicated officials were applying touches at Aviva Stadium not seen in the past.

Robertson and his players, of course, should not require an advance warning.

Nor should they be surprised if centre Rieko Ioane is booed each and every time he touches the ball after his stoush with Ireland great Johnny Sexton.

Not only are they facing the top-rated side in the world on their home soil, they’re facing a team that, despite downplaying their thirst to avenge last year’s World Cup quarterfinal defeat to the All Blacks, will without a doubt be fuelled by the hurt that pumped through their veins a little more than a year ago.

Regardless, with the All Blacks yet to flatter during Robertson’s first season in charge of the side, Ian Foster’s replacement is staring down the barrel of his biggest test since his side lost both Rugby Championship games to the world champion Springboks in South Africa in September.

Both sides are stacked with players who featured in last year’s tense quarterfinal, which the All Blacks only sealed after rebuffing a sweeping 37-phase raid that soaked up more than five minutes.

Both are also without key players.

All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor (concussion) and Irish counterpart Dan Sheehan (knee) are both out, as is All Blacks pivot Beauden Barrett (concussion) and Ireland prop Tadhg Furlong (hamstring).

Ireland host the All Blacks at 8.10 tomorrow morning.

Source: Stuff

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
We have observed a decline in the number of superbugs at CWM - MOH
The Ministry of Health has today said that they have observed a decline in the number of antibiotic-resistant organisms or superbugs being isolated at...
8 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Grace Road found to be breaching employment and health and safety laws
Grace Road Company throughout Viti Levu has been found to be breaching the Employment Relations Act 2007 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1996 ...
4 hours ago

USP Celebrates Global No.1 Rankings for Tourism and Hospitality Programmes
The University of the South Pacific (USP) has achieved global recognition for its excellence in Tourism and Hospitality Education, earning the No. 1 ...
6 hours ago

Open-heart surgeries for Fiji and the region
Great news for the people of Fiji and the greater South Pacific Region as the regions largest and highest rated super-specialty private hospital ...
6 hours ago

Australia launches bill to ban social media for children under 16
The Australian Government has tabled a bill in parliament that aims to ban social media for children under 16 and proposed fines of up to $73.3 ...
6 hours ago

6,659 drug cases recorded in 5 years with 1,615 cases recorded last year - ACP Raikaci
6,659 drug cases were recorded by the Fiji Police Force over the last five years, with last year seeing the highest with 1,615 cases. Acting ...
7 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Doctor Alipate Vakamocea on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Fiji Medical Association President, Doctor Alipate Vakamocea will appear on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan The show will focus on ...
8 days ago

Mangal and Akauola on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan
Adult Teen Challenge Fiji Executive Director, Hemraj Mangal and Director, Matai Akauola appear on fijivillage Straight Talk With Vijay Narayan The ...
8 days ago

Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
14 days ago

TOP