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Irish eyes are smiling as the Emerald Isle emerges as a true contender for the 2015 World Cup.
The All Blacks extra-time 24-22 victory over Ireland last November hurt, it hurt real bad.
After years of pain and 26 failed attempts at beating the Kiwis, the Irish seemed to have finally broken the black curse on home soil last year. In an enthralling encounter salvation appeared at hand. But it wasn’t meant to be.
New Zealand did as it always does, pulling that winning try out of nowhere and coming from the near impossible to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. It was gut-wrenching for Ireland, the All Blacks showing yet again why they are king closers and the best team in the world.
Twelve months on, you get the sense that Ireland has learnt deeply from that game and vividly still remember the pain.
Experienced Irish international Gordon D’Arcy said after the match: “This is probably the low point, for me, in my rugby career. That is one of the toughest games I have ever played in. They are not walking away from that saying that was an easy game.”
After that match Ireland has lost just one of their past 10 games. They have now won seven in a row. Included in those nine victories have been some decent opponents, South Africa and the Wallabies at home, Argentina twice away, and capturing the Six Nations trophy in 2014. The only defeat came in a three-point loss to England at Twickenham in February, in an incredibly close match.
Ireland has been reborn under coach Joe Schmidt. The Kiwi has got them playing with great confidence and structure, combined with a murderous intent. This is a tough team that doesn’t give an inch.
They convincingly defeated the Springboks, the 29-15 scoreline flattering the South Africans somewhat. The three-point win over the Wallabies was a close run thing but again their defence and their physicality and eye-catching.
This is now a driven team with self-belief, something that hasn’t always been the case with the Irish.
In key positions they have talent and experience. Paul O’Connell is a beast of a man who is still going strong at 35. Rory Best is a terrific hooker and Jamie Heaslip a fearsome number 8.
Jonathan Sexton and Connor Murry are the best halves combo in the northern hemisphere. Sexton is an outstanding kicker of the ball but his distribution his underrated.
Murray is a silky operator who has the skills and nous to play 10. You add in the speed of Simon Zebo, the experience of D’Arcy, Rob Kearney and Tommy Bowe, and you have some XV.
Against the Wallabies, Ireland employed a game-plan straight out of the Jake White hymn sheet. Kick well and often. Tackle like mongrels. Run hard. Maul, scrimmage and keep the ball in tight. Get the set piece wright. Unsettle your opponents with your strength and intensity.
It worked as Ireland was able to do it for the full 80 minutes, their defence holding as the Australians unsuccessfully looked for a match-winning try in the dying stages. The Wallabies couldn’t replicate the All Blacks late flurry.
The pain of that loss to New Zealand lives on. They haven’t forgetten and it’s driving them on towards the World Cup.
In the tournament they have been grouped with France, Canada, Italy and Romania. They will be favourites to top this pool.
If they do, they’ll likely meet Argentina in the quarter-finals. A potential semi-final clash with one of South Africa, England, Australia or Wales would await.
On familiar conditions, against opponents they have recently beaten, Ireland have a great chance. If the likes of O’Connell, Heaslip and Sexton remain fit, the 2015 tournament could be their best World Cup yet.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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