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Leinster and Auckland great tipping Irish win
By Online Editors
Former Blues and Leinster star Isa Nacewa is picking an Irish victory on Saturday when they meet the All Blacks in Dublin.
36-year-old Nacewa spent ten years playing in Ireland after his stint in New Zealand, and believes that Ireland's maiden victory over the All Blacks in 2016 has signaled a changing of the guard.
"They are beyond a chance, and I don't think people down this part of the world really grasp just how different the mindset is for Ireland since that Chicago game," Nacewa told Fairfax.
Nacewa believes the 2016 victory in Chicago changed Irish rugby.
"That fear is gone, and it's been replaced with a burning desire to win again and I really think playing at home is a huge advantage - coupled with the fact they have class all over the park. I'm tipping an Irish win, 21-10."
Nacewa was born in Auckland, but had his All Black eligibility robbed after a three-minute shift for the Fiji national side in 2003. With his four daughters all born in Ireland, the former playmaker admits there will be some division in the household on Saturday.
"Look I'm a Kiwi through and through, but it's a weird one on game days like this," he said.
"The girls will all be wearing their green jerseys and cheering for Johnny Sexton, he's a good mate and their favourite player. So either way our household will be celebrating."
Nacewa rates current Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt - Nacewa's coach during his first stint with Leinster - as the world's best and believes his influence has pushed Ireland to the next level.
"Joe is just so influential," Nacewa said. "Everyone knows how smart the guy is and what a student of rugby he is, but I think his biggest influence on the group is how well he keeps the focus on them. That's so important, especially in a massive build-up like this."
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Latest Comments
I'm honestly not so sure. I initially thought just reckless mainly because no player should be capable of doing that intentionally.
There's a strong argument that he's working both the eyes. It's his left hand he uses which is furthest from the ball he's contesting. His fingers are also clenched which I don't think is a natural way to try and rip a ball.
Go to comments"I see those teams, SA in particular, as only improving their performances in EPCR."
well, its gone the opposite direction so far!
"I don't like your model that requires them to reach Semi Final level in the Challenge trophy, given the bottleneck that will be URC with 16 teams playing for only 4 places."
my model would have given SA 3 spots in a 16 team CC this year, which is the same number as they have in the 24 team version that is actually taking place. But yes, if they keep getting worse it would get harder for them to get places. It would also get harder for you to argue that they deserve places though!
"I suggest by giving say Englands two semi finalist first seeds of the english teams, then the next best 4 on the league table as much better (it catches improving teams faster)."
interesting argument, but it doesn't always go that way. Gloucester are improving, but they improved in cup competitions before league fixtures started going their way. The same is true of Sharks, and the same was true of la Rochelle. I think maybe this is just an argument for allowing more teams to qualify via the challenge cup!
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