New Zealand’s apparent improvements since the opening round of the World Cup, and even since losing a series to Ireland on home soil a year ago, are not to be taken at face value, according to Ruaidhri O’Connor and Liam Toland.
Ireland go in as favourites for the first time against an All Blacks side when the two face off in Saint Denis on Saturday night. This is off the back of a 17-game unbeaten run, having topped Group B and beating the defending World Champions in the process.
New Zealand, on the other hand, lost to France in the opening round of the World Cup, two weeks after getting blown out the water by the Springboks in Twickenham, and have only faced subpar and downright poor opposition since.
For former Leinster and Munster back rower Liam Toland, the New Zealand have improved since those two drubbings, and even since their series defeat to Ireland last year. The Independent‘s Ruaidhri O’Connor is not as convinced.
New Zealand
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