NZ seemed to have done their homework perfectly. Top game

Rassie is obsessed with rotation, you can see why

First thing wrong here: Downplaying the AB’s performance. Ireland didn’t lose this game.. the AB’s won it. Plain and simple. NZ know what it’s like to be at the top for a long time, how to win the World Cup.. Ireland don’t. They were shut down by the same ‘passive’ defence they criticised. The reigning Player of the Year was completely outplayed by ‘a Shite Richie McCaw’. Even with 2 cards and countless questionable calls… the AB’s pulled through. How?? Championship pedigree. The AURA that was apparently missing. Ireland pundits need to humble themselves like Shane and admit, they don’t have that yet. They will maybe one day.

Their media and fans overhyped forgetting that NZ have big match temperament like boks,how did being no1 help them?

If u didn’t have a choice but to play your first side against Tonga - that in itself is a huge problem

Ireland sacrificed squad rotation to retain a no.1 rank and a win streak, this must be a lesson to learn about knockout rugby... win when it matters it's OK to lose a few.

Let's take a look at South Africa, players rested for the easier games. Even against Ireland we rested Dwane Vermeulen and had him up in the coaching booth anylising Ireland. I believe Rassie knows that the WC is a marathon, not a sprint. Let;s see how it goes against France tonight or I may just be eating humble pie alongside you guys.

The was a huge game for the ABs, 25 mins with 14 men on the field!

Ireland did not lose the game. NZ kicked their game into a higher gear and won the game.

It goes to show that for tent pole tournaments, like the Rugby World Cup, world rankings count for nothing. If ranking mattered, NZ would be world cup winners 100 times over.

I was thinking the whole time that Ireland were keeping their cards close to their chest until the get to the knockout stages BUT to my biggest surprise their attack was one dimensional - nothing new, Same old two pod attach with players coming around the corner and the AB's were prepared for that. Taking nothing away from their effort - it was top notch but I also agree that some players were overplayed as what the comparative time tables depict.

Sorry to say - With Shane's kind of thinking, Ireland will not win a WC. There needs to be rotation and depth to WC. History proves it - Look at every team that won the WC. You can not just do it with 15 players. But a squad of 30+ You need 2 teams in the pools.

New Zealand was never behind in the game and deserved their win.

Yep. Ireland did to their credit put Scotland away early and pull players off. But South Africa employed the 7-1 for this reason. NZ were poor vs the boks at Twickenham and France because they were on a different trajectory to the NH they had played alot of rugby and had to go off the boil. After Super Rugby finals and straight into winning the Rugby championship.. They couldnt maintain a peak for 4 odd months so dipped and ramped up intensity the last 2 weeks. NZ and South Africa have been here many times and learned the lessons.

Yeah they chocked again. 😂. Regardless of there rotation or not by 65 min Irish lads, especially Saxton, was getting the ball flat footed. The guy was gassed out and so was the rest of the team😮‍💨. In my humble opinion there’s no one in both coaching and players has won in international knockout rugby. This was on display yesterday. Even the Irish media going as low as criticizing Sam Cane. Now I’m a springbok fan. But that guy actually has a RWC winners medal. He is the captain for NZ. You don’t get to that level by accident. Sam whitelock x2 RWC winner. The quality of coaches, players and experience was the difference. Respect the game…

Maybe NZ just a bit better team on the day, Ireland are a great team but all the northern hemisphere teams don’t have the depth of SA or NZ. Ireland stand out player Bundiaki, prime example of where rugby is right now

Plain and simple Ireland Choked. Got out played even with an extra player for 20minutes. No excuses

Guys, guys, just stop. The Irish didnt play badly, they just came up against a highly motivated, hungry team who played almost a perfect defensive game, especially in the last 35 phases, where the result could have easily changed.

The Team averages for the Big 4 after the group stages, in terms of minutes played were: 1) Ireland 250min, 2)Fra 191, 3)NZ 167 and 4) SA 164 - IT should be pretty obvious the top 4 can beat each other on any given weekend, The key was playing 4 intense games(even with a bye) a team will slow down in the 5th (1/4), 6th(semi), 7th(final). A notable point was how Ireland ran out of steam especially at the end, when they could not take advantage of the Yellow card. Normally they would have scored like in the first half when Aaron Smith got sent off. They could do nothing this time. NZ played the game of their lives, but Ireland sadly were a few percentages of their game. 250 vs 191 is 60min more game time - basically a full game more played than the other teams. Very fine margins at the top end of the standings.

Yeah but ABs played 20min with 14men😮 oh that's right and still won😮

Matt Williams has on point here Even if Ireland won the this QF, there was no way they were going to maintain this intensity into a semifinal, let alone a final and end up lifting William Webb Ellis

As a kiwi here I agree with this. Going into the last 10 mins Ireland chasing the score was v tough physically and mentally and then the last 3 minutes 36 phases they were reduced to a nearly walking pace so exhausted they were and were always kept out of the NZ 22. Farrell had his eyes on the world ranking and the WC and that was a mistake.

I hope the Irish pundits and fans learned a lesson. The number one rule in rugby is “respect the All Blacks”, no matter what. Always respect The All Blacks.

In 2021 in Dublin Ireland scrumhalf passed onto forwards running onto the ball at full pace...last night he passed to forwards standing still who then ran. They were like Kamikaze in 2021!

These guys had a lot to say after the South Africa game, but now it's just excuses and tears. It takes a lot more than just being number 1 in the rankings to win a world cup, and the Irish have never been able to absorb that kind of pressure. But who knows, they might just make it past the quarter finals some day. As far as this world cup is concerned, all I can say is better luck next time, and have a safe flight home.

It was brilliant and genius playing full strength team all throughout the pool stages all of a sudden...

Goes back to the Sexton ban. Not having your quarterback on the field in the warm ups meant that the attack was not clicking and Romania and Tonga had to be used as additional game time. Sexton was out on his feet for the last 10 mins last night. Crowley should have been brought in. Coaches didnt trust the back up and over relied on a 38 year old.

I think the set piece was our Achilles heel really. It seemed like every time that there was a scrum it was a penalty to whatever other team we were playing. We probably could have survived that but then the lineout coughing up ball all over the place even back to the pre tournament warmup games was a killer. I’m not sure why it went to pieces at the worst possible time. Doris made a few bad errors last night with the dropped ball from the drop out after Kelleher was held up being another killer. A double whammy. A missed kick which wasn’t too difficult and as usual some odd decisions from Wayne Barnes. A lot of small things that added up. Having said that NZ were excellent and really brought it like I think a lot of people knew they would in a WC QF. They have had a good long while to examine irelands play had major intensity in theirs. It would be hard not to see them in the final now.

What bull from Williams again. They didn’t run out of gas. They ran out of ideas, ref breaks and luck. If it wasn’t for J.Barrett, they’d have won. Thinnest of margins. Could have gone either way and the ABs are an excellent/ great team.

Abs played 20mins down to 14 men dont forget. Ireland were lucky to still be in the game at the end.

so much for the NH blitz of the SH that the NH pundits were going on about - you know wales beating argentina ireland beating abs and france beating the bokke - oops that didnt happen looks like another SH final

Ireland are were the All Blacks were in 2007, they were hot favorites and went out - it broke them to the point they had to go away and rebuild themselves and then they wont to RWC's back to back. I hope Ireland do the same, no one deserves to win, but they did deserve the opportunity. Ireland will be back better than ever - Love the Irish such great competitors but history isn't on their side, but it will be someday and hopefully in four years time. The AB's learnt no one care what you do in-between the RWC's, you can win every game - its what you do one the day that counts.

Nah. The way the draw fell Andy made the right calls with team selection IMHO. The 1st match against Romania featured changes but the 2nd match against Tonga warranted a full strength side. At that stage Tonga were potentially a dangerous side plus Ireland were playing world champions SA the following weekend so the team needed time to gel and make sure things were flowing correctly given the Irish performances weren't amazing with a malfunctioning lineout and some moments of sloppy play, but the bench was used and players were taken off and rested. The 3rd match was SA and obviously that's a full strength game but the bench was used sensibly once more. The 4th match was against a dangerous looking Scotland side and a potential banana skin for Ireland in which they could actually get knocked out of the tournament if Scotland won by 7 or something. That's obviously not a match to piss about with changes either therefore, and Ireland had a two week break so said players were indeed rested. That Scotland match, while a comfortable win, was a brutally physical looking match so that might have indeed taken its toll on some Irish players physically heading into the NZ match but we all knew this WC draw was bs and insanely tough. By contrast NZ had their "full strength" big match as their very first pool match against France which they lost, and then had easy rollovers against bad teams there after in which they had the luxury to rest players and study Ireland who had to play their best rugby for about 3 matches in a row before NZ. Those easy wins for NZ could have had a negative effect on NZ btw, but it didn't. Also, winning is a good psychological thing and keeps momentum and belief and moral high. Had Ireland lost to SA it not only makes the Scotland match a needlessly massive pressure game, but there's also doubts, the run of wins would have been over, all those Ireland failing in works cup talks kick off and that's not ideal heading into the Scottish match. So no, I'd fully support Andy's selection here. Ireland weren't looking fluid and amazing enough to fap about with wholesale changes and apart from Romania, the other matches were potentially very tough and important encounters plus the team needed time to gel and get their misfiring set-pieces sorted which sadly they never did tbh. Personally during the NZ match I was surprised that at an early time when Ireland were down 8 or 11 points, Sexton refused to kick 2 penalties for what a reasonably reliable 6 points in favor of an attacking lineout even though the lineout was unreliable. Ireland didn't take scores from either of those efforts. So regardless of what happened, in the end Ireland lost by 4, with 6 points turned down. Even if Ireland had taken 1 of those chances, it's probably in the corner, probably a 5 pointer, 7 at most, so the 6 points instead for kicking both penalties still would have still been better and more reliable option.

i think that figure 8 during the haka was funny when it was there 8th quarter final exit lol

If it wasnt this game, ireland would have run out of gas. The two week break at the begining didnt do ireland favours. And sexton being banned was probably one of the reasons why ireland had to play close to the strongest teams for all games.

Ireland have been great for a long time, but the arrogance of late has been a little much. The disrespect from the fans during the Haka probably stoked the fire from the All Blacks even more. The Kiwis won't hold grudges though, they've got bigger fish to fry..

if the All Blacks were playing 14 men the whole game they would still win, I am sorry the Irish were not up to the challenge period. It knocks out game, The stress pressure set piece has to be 100%

Imagine how tired the all blacks were playing having 2 men in the bin

You can sit and debate all day long why etc but both teams went at it hard and at the end of the day it was fine margins. They were playing a team that even if they have not been at their best in the last few year's are more than capable of beating them. The draw was unkind when you look at the top half but that was the way it went.

Sad to see the few bitter comments referring to the pool draws, refereeing and ‘anti-rugby’. We all got to see some of the greatest quarter finals in history this weekend! Whilst I feel for the French and Irish supporters, there is no doubt their time will come. Favour this young and fabulously talented French team for greatness in future Tests and Ireland have made history over the past year. Regardless of the agonies and jubilations of this great game, Rugby continues to evolve as one of the greatest sports on the planet. A true test of will, skill, heart and character. Special shout out to Portugal who embody that spirit with their first WC win. Bring on the next two weeks of The Game…. she never fails to delight!!

Only one reason…. Ireland could not bring the magic when it really mattered!!!! Pressure is hard. Teams like AZ and the Boks play for a different reason and this lightens pressure of the players.

If kellehers held up try went over and we won the game, everybody would be saying farrell got it right. Super tight margins. Our luck went against us tonight.lenisters defeat to la rochelle probably didnt help the mind set of our leinster players going into this. NZ played insanely well.

well said. South Africa are rarely number 1 but have won 3 World cups! Sod the ranking it's about the trophy!

Ireland shot their bolt in that win over SA, both physically and emotionally.

Ireland was slow to the breakdown, players carrying the ball into contact were often isolated causing turnovers. Longer ruck times slow getting the ball out, the line out was sketchy, game management in not cashing in on their on field man advantage during yellow card sin bins. In the botched Try, Ronan Kelleher hogged the ball not releasing to Conor Murray, then he was held up by Jordie Barrett Ultimately the AB’s played like gods so they deserve their win.

These fools were going about how Ireland will be in the final 😅😅😅

Its clear that the gameplane for the ABs was too keep the ball in play as much as possible which was very risky for them at times but it payed off in the last 5 mins where you could see the fatigue in the Irish team. Still could of gone either way though.

I feel like in those final phases ireland players were too worried about not want to be the one to messes up by attempting to push too forward?

Oh What CRAP! 35+ Phases in Attack Translate in to "Throwing in Everything but the Kitchen Sink" for Ireland. They Played Awesome however the Kiwis Answered their Attack with an even Better Defence! Great Game Performed by 2 Great Teams.

Ireland weren’t flat they were outclassed! When the AB’s had the ball u expected something to happen! When Ireland had the ball u expected foul play to help them get the result! AB’s were pure class

This is how far Ireland have come. Gutted to lose to the All Blacks. If they had taken one or two chances they would have one. I'm a Welshman. Big rugby fan and I can say with honesty that I'm more gutted for Ireland than Wales today. Wales had not a huge expectation this world cup. But Ireland did and they played outstanding rugby. This game was a flip of a coin and tonight it flipped Black. Ireland for me are still the best in the world, you have talent coming through and the next four years you have the talent and template for success. Ireland are in a very healthy place and that gutted feeling can turn into gold if you react in the correct way. Good luck boys for the next 4 years.

How hard is it to just say "Ireland played extremely well, they just didn´t quite manage to win"? Seriously, there was Jordie Barrett´s thigh between Ireland and victory. That´s it. Be proud of the performance, proud of the team and forget the armchair excuses. Remember that NZ couldn´t win a World Cup for over 20 years, between 1987 and 2011, despite being consistently the best between tournaments. Tiocfaidh ár lá. 💚✊🍀

We had a war with South Africa no players injured battered Scotland ended up with 4 players carring knocks so to say the Scotland wasnt an energy sabbing game is wrong . There was 3 player barly trained this week so it mightnt have been as energy sapping as the Boks game but it had away more of an effect on the squad .

I know where Ireland lost this game. I was at the 1999 ABs loss to Australia. A one try each smasing by Australia 28 to 7. The biģgest hiding the ABs had ever recieved in history at that time. France in this world cup gave the ABs their biggest hiding in all the previous world cups in a 2 try each smashing. Do the sums from that. It's not hard. Ireland should have kicked the goals instead of being over confident that they were would try their way through to victory. Yes they did get a try from this method but inevitably rugby is about points on the board and get them ss easily as possible. Well done ABs, thank you for showing why you should never be discounted...

I don't think Ireland ran out of gas. In closely contested games with evenly matched teams the margins are very tight and the result can go either way. In the game against SA it went Irelands way and in the quarters it went to the opposition in the form of NZ. It's great to see how incredibly close the top four teams are to one another. Let's hope more teams can rise to the same level and make rugby even more competitive.

This is probably the single difference between Erasmus and most of the other teams... Not saying that will guarantee SA a win, but Erasmus and team moved heaven and earth to align schedules, make sure theres a balance between national games and games overseas, and rest time... If you watch their documentary, they talked so much about schedules and this is why! Again...not saying this will guarantee the Boks the win, but its just interesting to see what it *really* takes to develop a deep sqaud!

The biggest lesson you guys need to learn is that being the #1 team heading in to a WC means diddly squat. The ABs learnt that after years and years of being #1 and losing the cup. As Fozzy said, you don't need to peak 12 months ago, you need to peak in the playoffs. You guys peaked too soon and got ahead of yourselves.

Ireland did not perform to their best when it mattered and thats all there is to it. A bit like Leinsters season. They needed to peak yesterday and they didn't. They started slow like they did against South Africa and they were lucky to win against SA. A great team but not good enough when it mattered. Untill they beat ABs in a WC knockout game and get to semis then the team will have this mental block about truely being no.1

Shane is the man well done but these other 2 muppets are saying that they are tired lol these guys get conditioned to play. Also saying Ireland lost more than the all blacks won lol you were put under pressure done see ya in 4 years.

This former Scotland coach is very annoying on these panels and he often contradicts himself -just now he was telling us how unbeatable Ireland are. Ireland are a great team but met a better one on the day.Ireland and Sexton in particular looked out on their feet coz of the game ABs brought. Bok fan

Agreed, it was definitely a factor though not thr sole factor. Ultimately NZ ABs stepped up and took the game dictating the play, Ireland did not. Thats the difference between championship calibre teams.

Okay apart from the excellent, intelligent views points and objective analysis from the panel of pundits, here is something worth looking at on What Fabien Galthie said before the France v SA quarter final - game regarding SA's selection choices. - 'SA are world champions because they have a very sharp, well thought tactical approach. They always come up with a strategy, a very well thought plan in relation to their opponents. It never by chance that they line up a team. They’ve been watching us (France) for two weeks now. I think they know us very well. Their decision to field a rather unusual line-up with a few changes and their choice of a 5-3 formation is well-founded, tactical, strategic and well thought. IT’S A GAME OF CHESS. Preparing for these matches is a level of strategy taken to the extreme'. Then Galthie says …. ‘Its perfect’ To me that means he enjoys and is very comfortable in this strategic environment. Is there any lessons in his words for the Ireland Head Coach or other Ireland coaches to take moving forward. I wonder?

Wow. all the focus on how ireland lost this game. NZ won it. They were tactically better with their kicking, won the lineout, and scrum. They were down to 14 for 20 mins and held a 37 phase period in the end. They deserved this win and were better on the day.

18 is the max wins on the bounce. Ireland were planning to win the RWC by winning 20. The program needs rethinking . Plan your matches to win RWC at 17 or fewer. You may win a quarter final. Ask Connor O'Shea why he wouldn't coach Ireland ?

Easily the best Rugby talk back Ive listened to at this WC - take a bow lads terrific stuff - you know your stuff - wow - I need to shut my mouth - I couldnt turn away it was that good and Ive been put in my place I like this Ireland made enough mistakes to lose and enough plays to win - NZ hit them hard - this was a targeted must win game not their SA warm up and not really France - when the comp is so close you have to pick and choose and you know its not like Ireland didnt know what was coming down the pipe - they did themselves no favours beating NZ in a series last year - but they had to do it First - they had to lay a foundation a marker and what a slab of granite that is - now look ahead - there will be another team on its way better prepared they dont have to win the series its done focus on the WC on whats important for the nation and players - all the talk is advancing beyond the quarters - dont think about winning the semi or the Final just get out of the quarters - thats the goal post ❤ Love and hugs to Ireland

Other teams don't rotate players out to give them rest in the rwc pool matches unless they are returning from injury. It is to make sure that the replacement players aren't totally undercooked or overawed in case a main player is injured. This world cup has only been 5 games long so far and included a bye week, so there should be no 'rest' issues for any team.

What I feel is Ireland didn’t have the depth to rotate players, after all this is a World Cup you can’t take chances

Ireland should have taken the points in the first half.

Can’t believe sexton, was cursing the officials by the end of the game. Whining and crying to the ref the whole game too almost all the Irish team was complaining to the ref every chance/stoppage. No wonder statistically almost every team gets a card when playing Ireland. Unbelievable

Hang on. New Zealand was up thirteen nil in the first part of the game. That was not due to Ireland fatigue. That was because the ABs were better.

Think we should have rested key players but hindsight a great thing. Ďont think we ran out of steam,we finished game strong. Credit to kiwis their defence and game managment was excellent. Credit to new zealand. We just came up short in a tremendous game.

We had 20 minutes against 14 men and we didnt punish them, thats it ,best of luck to NZ,

Shaggy pointing out that everyone got game time to this point proves the rotation issue wrong Finishing with 37+ phases shows fitness wasn’t an issue. The massive thing we’ve improved is fitness and skills The minutes in the boots didn’t cost us. The pre match oressure that they couldn’t get away from may have cost them a few hours sleep night before the game, at the end of the day this is now a huge rock on our backs. Until it’s gone that is extra pressure. We needed a massive start and it took us too long to get going. Liathroidi to spare in that team. Fought until the end. The issue is between our ears not anywhere else But the finish of the game shows there was gas in the tank

😂Matt? "Fatigue" might have been the reason? Hang on aren't you the one who doesn't believe in substitutions? Perhaps Ireland should have gone with a 7-1 split. Lets remind you that Ireland played 14 men for 1/4 of the match and were gifted a penalty try. Their much vaunted attack - precise, pretty tip passes behind illegal blokkers - could not find its way to break a ferocious NZ defence. End of. Another 4 years boys.

Thought their fatigue showed at the breakdown where Ireland have previously been dominant over the All Blacks. O’Mahony and vdF in particular didn’t have their normal impact and they paid the price.

Basically, every major team playing the All Blacks slows the tempo down because they aren't as fit as them. They are body builders and gym rats, not runners. The best rugby is running rugby. If you are properly fit, one game per week isn't going to drain you. Look at the playing schedules for top footballers. They can play 50 games per year because they are properly fit. And another thing, when you are properly fit you make better decisions at the business end of games because physical fitness enables mental fitness. The All Blacks would win even more games if referees penalised time wasting more.

Imho, there was not any discernable difference in "FORM" in this game. So the point is moot for this game. But certainly that question of resting and freshness comes into play in the SF and F (as England found out last WC and SA were fresher in the final). In this game? I just think it was Fine Margins: 1. Closer to win if the ball was not held up in that try chance 2. Sexton missed a penalty oddly so the drop-goal was off the table with their 38 phase drive. 3. NZ produced world-class tries out of nothing or else forward fast momentum and exceptional handling for 2 of their tries which is what it took to get points against Ireland's solid defence. 4. NZ looked well prepped to counter Ireland's style especially the break-down avoiding penalties and defending. Which other team could have been as well prepared? I doubt any other team could have focused so well like that specifically to unlock Ireland ie Boks would play as Boks always do and France are mercurial: Depends which French team turns up on the day. 5. Ireland kicked to the corners and probably did not convert enough points from those strategic plays: That was influential. Perhaps credit to NZ defence on those eg Line-Out steals and general defence. What you can say: Ireland in this WC are one of NZ, France or SA who ALL could have lifted the Webb Ellis Trophy depending on variables and fine margins. Going out now just means they hit one of those teams early in the draw and little else with probably better chance to win against France or SA than NZ is my guess. One of the best matches I've seen for quality rugby and drama and total 80mins of both teams could pull this one out of the bag. Well done Ireland in everywhere. On the other hand it's been a lot of pain and experimentation for the ABs over last few years to work out positions and patterns and personal and it's finally paid off eg Jordie Barret, Boden Barrett, Mo'unga providing power, pace and skill and all three able to kick in the same team has not mean a formula ABs immediately discovered but that's immense talent and tactical options in those 3 alone across the backs. It took a special combo like that for the ABs to have a chance given Ireland has some incredible backs combinations too eg kicking options and length and power and speed. Sexton's passing was phenomenal for skill for example. If ABs had not worked out how to use those 3 they'd have lost for example to contrast another fine margin in the making.

Interesting topic. I said a few weeks ago that it was impossible for Ireland win win the RWC based on them having to beat the winning streak record by 2 extra games. 20 in a row. The last part of the 1/4 final when they hammered the AB line. I said THERE'RE OUT ON THEIR FEET... THEY CAN'T SCORE A TRY!!! Fatigue was a real factor but so was a superb AB performance.

Its simple...They were beaten by the better team! Ireland played brilliantly. The ABs were better...its binary, you win or you lose.

I think a lot of people don’t understand the attack lines that Andy incorporated into this Irish team. They consistently ran the rugby league route that can tire out your team quite fast. You do that for 80+ mins and you’re destroyed physically and mentally. Then when Ireland had to revert back to running with the forwards etc. everyone was exhausted… they could barely keep themselves tight and just run the ball. The ABs composure and defence took them to the end and got them the win.

Excuses excuses. New Zealand weren't at their best either. Come on new Zealand were playing with 14 men for 15 minutes of second half and Ireland only got a penalty try😂😂.

Something rather ironic is that if you watch the Ardie try in slow motion you can clearly see it's a forward psss by 1 meter or so... Ball is passed a meter before the line and arrives in Ardies hands just after. Have a look for yourself Frankly we are owed that one.... Cheers Barnes

Hindsight is great after the game is over 😂

The Best vs The Greatest

South Africans built squard depth, and when they lost games, they don't pay heed to winning streaks.

good to see some intelligent commentary :)

New Zealand and probably South Africa are the only teams still to this day, can win games with our 2nd and 3rd teams. Use don’t have the depth, let’s be honest. The bench, from yesterday game, had no impact. Where’s the bench for the ABs made an impact. Your 2nd stringers are still far behind. Hence why sexton carried on with his career🤷🏽‍♂️

SA/Scotland/NZ back to back to back was a harder draw and required full effort for every match. Their forwards were hurt and out of gas. Ruck speed was much slower than the last few years. I still can't say I'm satisfied with the absence of TMO in the QFs and 2 NZ tries from forward passes...

Sexton was blown and cost them the game ....

They too worried about rankings. When it came to it they couldn't hang with the big boys.. the Western hemisphere slaps the big mouths around at the business end.

Ireland were played full stop.

Furlong looked tired 100%. Beirne, Doris & JVDF were solid and physical at times but were definitely showing fatigue at certain stages. Sheehan obviously wasn’t back to full fitness as his lineout throwing just wasn’t there. Hansen clearly wasn’t 100% with his calf strain. James Lowe had a very bad eye injury from last week. I feel like they could’ve freshened up the squad a little bit. Bealham probably could’ve come in for Furlong. McCarthy & Conan looked so fresh and physical when they came on. Conan in particular. I have to say he carried like a ferocious mad man. He should’ve started ahead of Doris. Kelleher was also brilliant when he came on. And Jimmy O’Brien should’ve started ahead of Hansen as he was also brilliant when he came on. Aki, Ringrose & Lowe in particular were phenomenal in this tournament on so many levels. James Ryan & Robbie Henshaw we’re also massive losses in this game. The majority of this starting Irish 15 have played a huge amount of rugby in the last 12 months if you factor in all the 6 nations games, URC, Champions cup games against huge physical teams, pre season friendly internationals and then all the pool stage. They played 7 games on the trot in the last 2 months and only changed 3 or 4 personnel where as South Africa, New Zealand, France changed their teams up significantly. Those teams have the luxury of doing so but I just feel like Ireland should’ve brought in Bealham, Kelleher, Conan, O’Brien and maybe McCarthy for this New Zealand game.

If our depth was supposed to be stronger why did Farrell play essentially the same 15 bar one or two changes for the whole tournament?? Most of the team struggled in second half and ran out of gas and idea's, in my opinion I really doubt Farrell had any trust in our back-up, especially at 10, and cannot understand why Rob herring didn't play, he's fitter than kelleher and should have played. Maybe the last 10 minutes would have been different with him, he did it for us in Wellington and again against England in grand slam in March, Farrell is a great coach but again like 8 previous world cups we failed when it mattered most 😳

Why does Matt Williams have to pretend to be Irish to be accepted? Do Irish viewers not tolerate foreign pundits otherwise?

Were too slow with the ball, not enough pace to cause trouble, couldnt find the space whereas as soon as NZ got the ball they moved fast and looked more dangerous. Unlucky near the end not to.ground the ball

I was very concerned with playing top players every game, however I don't think it was physical fatigue, and if Ireland had got an early lead against NZ, they would have clicked into gear, instead, two penalties, a try, scrum penalties going against them, all of a sudden the mental and physical resolve comes into play. Massive effort to get back into it and really did enough to nick it at the end.

Surely they realise that right up until the scotland game they still werent guarantees finalists hence having to play their better players. Even Tonga they had to ensure the got a substantial amount of points for points differential. Its just how it was. Also people were saying ireland were better prepared because they were battle hardened and the all blacks were underdone. Make your minds up. At the end of the day these games are won on the finest of margins and that qf was fortunately new zealands day.

This aussie dont know what hes talkin about!?, "Submaximum" ...like what game was he watchin!????? The boys played out of their skins gave above and beyond mate! We were just beaten by an extremly top level performance by the Allblacks! Geez pull yah head in mate!

This is absolutely bs. The reason why Ireland looked gassed is because they were absolutely monstered up front and the mins in play was ridiculous. Something like only one scrum the entire first half? That’s ABs rugby. What was the stat for the ire vs sa game? Like 20mins in play? NZ have always been way stronger aerobically than pretty much every other team because of the way they like to play. For goodness sake the boks have a strategy where they have to pretty much replace the whole forward pack during the game to compete. You can’t play the ABs at their game. They needed to slow the game down / kill the pace or have a 6-2/7-1 bench.

Did you watch the game, the Ireland were going full on in a full on battle right until the end.