International

QUARTERFINAL PREVIEW: All Blacks v Ireland (Rugby World Cup 2023)

Published

11 months ago

October 13, 2023

Get ready for what is arguably the most anticipated quarterfinal in Rugby World Cup history as number one-ranked Ireland squares off with three-time champions, the All Blacks, for a spot in the semifinals.

MATCH DETAILS: All Blacks v Ireland, Saturday 14 October, 9pm CET, Stade de France, Paris (Sunday 15 October, 8am NZT)

Played: 36

Won: All Blacks 30, Ireland 5, drawn 1

Last time: All Blacks 22, Ireland 32 (16 July 2022, Sky Stadium, Wellington)

Referee: Wayne Barnes

FORM

Ireland qualified for the quarterfinals as the winners of Pool B with victories over Romania (82-8), Tonga (59-16), South Africa (13-8) and Scotland (36-14). They have now won 17 Test matches in a row. The most consecutive victories for a tier one nation stands at 18 by New Zealand (2015-2016) and England (2015-2017). The All Blacks qualified for the quarterfinals by coming second in Pool A. The team rebounded from an opening round 13-27 loss to France to beat Namibia (71-3), Italy (96-17) and Uruguay (73-0) to sew up a spot in the quarterfinals.

All BLACKS SQUAD UPDATE

With a combined 1366 Test caps worth of experience, the match day 23 will be led out by captain Sam Cane in front of 80,000 fans at Stade de France. Cane is joined by Ardie Savea and Shannon Frizell in the starting loose forward trio. It will mark the first time they have run out together since the team’s 35-20 win over South Africa in Auckland. Meanwhile, loosehead prop Ethan de Groot has returned from suspension to join Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax in the front row. Their last start together was in the team’s 38-7 win over Australia in Melbourne. After an impressive hat-trick against Namibia, Leicester Fainga’anuku has been selected on the left wing and will feature alongside Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan in the back three.

UNCHANGED IRISH STARTING FIFTEEN

Ireland coach Andy Farrell has named an unchanged starting XV for the first time at RWC 2023. The only two changes to the match-day team from last week’s victory against Scotland are on the bench, with Joe McCarthy replacing fellow second row James Ryan (injured) and Jimmy O’Brien replacing Stuart McCloskey. Johnny Sexton will play his 15th Test against the All Blacks for Ireland, and 18th overall including the British and Irish Lions. He will surpass Alun Wyn Jones (17) for most Tests by any Northern Hemisphere player against New Zealand.

SEXTON’S PERSPECTIVE

Irish pivot Johnny Sexton said the side had worked on its mental game since losing to the All Blacks in the 2019 quarterfinal and had put themselves in different scenarios to prepare for knockout rugby. “Each quarterfinal or where we haven’t got through our pool, have all been different, and it’s a different group again. Each of those groups lost once,” Sexton said. “It wasn’t the same group losing quarterfinals year and year. If it was club rugby it might be different, but I don’t think we are carrying much baggage. It is a one-off game and we have got to prepare for now.”

SKIPPER’S WORD

All Blacks captain Sam Cane said the side is treating the clash against Ireland as a final. “We take confidence from the hard work that has gone into the preparation. We are going in with confidence, and it will be about executing what we have done on the training pitch out there, under massive pressure, in front of a full crowd,” Cane said. “If we are able to do that, and do it consistently, we will give ourselves a really good shot at winning.”

STAISTICALLY SPEAKING

New Zealand have scored the most tries of any of the eight quarterfinalists with 38 tries at an average of 9.5 per game. Ireland and France are second equal with 27 tries at an average of 6.8 tries per match.

PRE-MATCH LIVE SHOW ON NZR+

Tune into NZR+ for the pre-match live show with Jim Hamilton and special guests pitch side at Stade de France. Stream the pre-match live show for free HERE.

TEAMS

All Blacks (caps in brackets):

1. Ethan de Groot (19) 2. Codie Taylor (82) 3. Tyrel Lomax (29) 4. Brodie Retallick (106) 5. Scott Barrett (66) 6. Shannon Frizell (30) 7. Sam Cane (c) (92) 8. Ardie Savea (78) 9. Aaron Smith (122)

10. Richie Mo’unga (53) 11. Leicester Fainga’anuku (6) 12. Jordie Barrett (54) 13. Rieko Ioane (66) 14. Will Jordan (28) 15. Beauden Barrett (120)

Reserves: 16. Dane Coles (89) 17. Tamaiti Williams (5) 18. Fletcher Newell (11) 19. Samuel Whitelock (150) 20. Dalton Papali’i (29) 21. Finlay Christie (19) 22. Damian McKenzie (45) 23. Anton Lienert-Brown (67)

Ireland:

1 Andrew Porter 2 Dan Sheehan 3 Tadhg Furlong 4 Tadhg Beirne 5 Iain Henderson 6 Peter O’Mahony 7 Josh van der Flier 8 Caelan Doris 9 Jamison Gibson-Park 10 Johnny Sexton (c) 11 James Lowe 12 Bundee Aki 13 Garry Ringrose 14 Mack Hansen 15 Hugo Keenan

Reserves: 16 Ronan Kelleher 17 Dave Kilcoyne 18 Finlay Bealham 19 Joe McCarthy 20 Jack Conan 21 Conor Murray 22 Jack Crowley 23 Jimmy O’Brien

Content & Images from – New Zealand Rugby

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International

Slipper to become most capped Wallaby of all-time in Bledisloe One

Published

4 hours ago

September 19, 2024

Huge Rugby

Gold Coast junior and Wallaby number 843 James Slipper will become the most capped Wallaby of all-time when he runs out for his 140th Test on Saturday afternoon at Accor Stadium.

Making his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will surpass George Gregan’s record after being named as the replacement loosehead prop for the first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney.

A stalwart of Australian Rugby, Slipper is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four Rugby World Cups and earlier this year broke the record for the most capped Test prop ever in International Rugby.

In further team news, Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the starting side after fully recovering from their injuries. The openside flanker is yet to feature in the 2024 Rugby Championship, while Paisami’s knee injury kept him out of the tour to Argentina.

Maitland junior Nic White will start at scrumhalf, partnering with Noah Lolesio who returns at flyhalf, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to earn his spot at fullback.

Wright’s return sees Andrew Kellaway shift back to the right wing, with Marika Koroibete remaining on the left edge. Len Ikitau will reignite his combination with Paisami in the midfield.

Apart from McReight, the starting forward pack is unchanged with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou the run on front row, with the side set to wear their First Nations jersey for the second time this year.

Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will continue their partnership as the run on locks, with blindside flanker Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson, joining McReight as the loose forward trio.

Western Sydney’s Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021after returning to Australian Rugby from France earlier this year. He’ll join Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.

Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also overcome injury to be selected as the substitute second rower, with Langi Gleeson to cover the backrow.

Reds duo Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh are the replacement halves for the second straight Test, with Wiradjuri man Dylan Pietsch rounding out the matchday 23.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: “The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year.”

“We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”

Watch all the action on Stan Sport with every Wallabies Test streaming ad-free, live and on demand with Wallabies at home in 4K UHD. Wallabies matches will also be shown live on the Nine Network.

Wallabies team to play New Zealand at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday September 21 at 3:45pm AEST

Angus Bell (31 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
Matt Faessler (10 Tests) – USQ Saint
Taniela Tupou (54 Tests) – Brothers Rugby
Nick Frost (19 Tests) – Hornsby Lions
Jeremy Williams (6 Tests) – Wahroonga Tigers
Rob Valetini (46 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
Fraser McReight (20 Tests) – Albany Creek Brumbies
Harry Wilson (c) (17 Tests) – Gunnedah Red Devils
Nic White (69 Tests) – Maitland Blacks
Noah Lolesio (23 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
Marika Koroibete (62 Tests) – Nasinu Secondary College, Fiji
Hunter Paisami (29 Tests) – Harlequin Junior Rugby Club
Len Ikitau (33 Tests) – Tuggeranong Vikings
Andrew Kellaway (33 Tests) – Hunters Hill Rugby
Tom Wright (31 Tests) – Clovelly Eagles

Substitutes
Brandon Paenga-Amosa (14 Tests) – Southern Districts
James Slipper (139 Tests) – Bond Pirates
Allan Alaalatoa (74 Tests) – West Harbour Juniors
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (35 Tests) – Randwick
Langi Gleeson (7 Tests) – Harbord Harlequins
Tate McDermott (35 Tests) – Flinders Rugby Club
Tom Lynagh (3 Tests) – University of Queensland
Dylan Pietsch (2 Tests) – Leeton Phantoms

Wallabies 2024 Tests

July Tests

Wallabies 25 defeated Wales 16, Saturday July 6 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies 36 defeated Wales 28 on Saturday July 13 at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Wallabies 40 defeated Georgia 29 on Saturday July 20 at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The Rugby Championship/Bledisloe Cup

Wallabies 7 defeated by South Africa 33, Saturday August 10 at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Wallabies 12 defeated by South Africa 30 on Saturday August 17 at Optus Stadium, Perth

Wallabies 20 defeated Argentina 19 on Saturday August 31 at Estadio Uno Estudiantes de La Plata, La Plata

Wallabies 27 defeated by Argentina 67 on Saturday September 7 at Estadio Colon, Santa Fe

Wallabies v New Zealand, 3:45pm AEST, Saturday September 21 at Accor Stadium, Sydney

Wallabies v New Zealand, 5:05pm AEST, Saturday September 28 at Sky Stadium, Wellington

End of Year Tour

Wallabies v England, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday November 10, Twickenham, London

Wallabies v Wales, 3:10am AEDT, Monday November 18, Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Wallabies v Scotland, 12:40am AEDT, Monday November 25, Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Wallabies v Ireland, 2:10am AEDT, Sunday December 1, Aviva Stadium, Dublin

Tickets to the Wallabies 2024 Home Tests are available to purchase here.

The Bledisloe Cup in Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

Content & Images from – Australia Rugby

6 Nations

Easterby Names 33-Player Emerging Ireland Squad For South Africa Tour

Published

2 days ago

September 18, 2024

Huge Rugby

Head Coach Simon Easterby has today named a 33-player Emerging Ireland squad for the upcoming three-match Tour to South Africa.

Easterby, along with the National Coaching Team, have identified high potential players from across the four Provinces to assemble for camp at the IRFU High Performance Centre next week, before departing for Bloemfontein on Saturday, 28 September.

Munster’s Alex Kendellen, who previously captained Ireland U20s, has been named as Tour captain.

Two players who were part of Andy Farrell‘s Ireland squad for the recent Summer Tour of South Africa – Sam Prendergast and Cormac Izuchukwu – are included in the travelling party, while former Ireland U20 captains Gus McCarthy and Evan O’Connell are named by Head Coach Easterby.

Ulster forward Izuchukwu is one of two players set for their second Emerging Ireland Tour alongside Leinster back row James Culhane.

Emerging Ireland will face the Pumas in their campaign opener on Wednesday, 2 October (Kick-off 4pm local time/3pm Irish time), before going head-to-head with Super Rugby outfit Western Force on Sunday, 6 October (Kick-off 1pm local time/12pm Irish time).

Easterby’s side will then conclude the Tour against defending Currie Cup champions the Cheetahs on Wednesday, 9 October (Kick-off 7pm local time/6pm Irish time), with all matches being played at Toyota Stadium.

The Tour schedule is designed to challenge the players in a National Team environment, providing them with a window to impress the coaches and train and play to the National Team’s tactical and technical approach, while presenting them with access to meaningful game time in a green jersey.

Broadcast details for Emerging Ireland’s three matches will be confirmed in due course.

Emerging Ireland Squad:

Forwards (18):

Jack Aungier (Lansdowne FC/Connacht)
Jack Boyle (UCD RFC/Leinster)
James Culhane (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Jordan Duggan (Naas RFC/Connacht)
Sean Edogbo (UCC RFC/Munster)
Ronan Foxe (Garryowen FC/Munster)
Cormac Izuchukwu (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster)
Sean Jansen (Connacht)
Alex Kendellen (UCC RFC/Munster)(captain)
Gus McCarthy (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Darragh Murray (Buccaneers RFC/Connacht)
Evan O’Connell (UL Bohemian RFC/Munster)
Conor O’Tighearnaigh (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Danny Sheahan (Cork Constitution FC/Munster)
Harry Sheridan (Dublin University FC/Ulster)
Stephen Smyth (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster)
Alex Soroka (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Scott Wilson (Queen’s University Belfast RFC/Ulster)

Backs (15):

Shayne Bolton (Connacht)
Hugh Cooney (Clontarf FC/Leinster)
Ethan Coughlan (Shannon RFC/Munster)
Matthew Devine (Corinthians RFC/Connacht)
Cormac Foley (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Hugh Gavin (Galwegians RFC/Connacht)
Jack Murphy (Clontarf FC/Ulster)
Tommy O’Brien (UCD RFC/Leinster)
Sean O’Brien (Clontarf FC/Munster)
Ben O’Connor (UCC RFC/Munster)
Andrew Osborne (Naas RFC/Leinster)
Jude Postlethwaite (Banbridge RFC/Ulster)
Sam Prendergast (Lansdowne FC/Leinster)
Rob Russell (Dublin University FC/Leinster)
Zac Ward (Ballynahinch RFC/Ulster/Ireland Sevens).

Emerging Ireland Tour Fixtures:

Wednesday, 2 October: Emerging Ireland v The Pumas, 4pm local time/3pm Irish time
Sunday, 6 October: Emerging Ireland v Western Force, 1pm local time/12pm Irish time
Wednesday, 9 October: Emerging Ireland v The Cheetah, 7pm local time/6pm Irish time.

Images & Content from Irish Rugby & Images © Inpho Photography

6 Nations

Munster Rugby Announce Contract Deals For Murray, Daly & Gleeson

Published

6 months ago

April 3, 2024

Huge Rugby

Munster Rugby and the IRFU are pleased to confirm contract extensions for Conor Murray and Jack Daly with Brian Gleeson to be promoted from the Academy to the senior squad next season.

Murray and Daly have signed one-year extensions with Gleeson moving up to the senior squad on a two-year deal.

Gleeson is one of five Academy players moving up to the senior squad next year with Tony Butler, Ethan Coughlan, Mark Donnelly and Edwin Edogbo also signing two-year deals.

Conor Murray is one of the most decorated scrum-halfs in world rugby with 116 Ireland caps and three British & Irish Lions tours to his name.

A former St Munchin’s College student, the Garryowen man won his fifth 6 Nations title with Ireland last month and earned his second league title with Munster last season.

The 34-year-old has made 185 Munster appearances and scored 34 tries for the province to date and was named on World Rugby’s Team of the Decade in 2019.

25-year-old flanker Jack Daly came up through the ranks at Castleisland RFC and made his Munster debut against Zebre in 2020.

Daly joined the Academy in 2018, moved up to the senior squad in 2021 and plays his AIL rugby with Garryowen. A former Ireland U20 international, he made his Champions Cup debut against Toulouse in the quarter-final at the Aviva Stadium in 2022.

20-year-old Gleeson moves up to the senior squad after just one year in the Academy that has seen him score one try in nine senior appearances.

Currently out of action with an ankle injury, he had already made three Champions Cup appearances before turning 20.

The powerful back-row forward was a Grand Slam winner with the Ireland U20s last year. plays his AIL rugby with Garryowen and came up through the ranks at Thurles RFC and Rockwell College.