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Rugby

Potential soft spots offer Ireland some chance of New Zealand success

Tasked with halting New Zealand's attempt to retain the Rugby World Cup for a second time, Louise...



Rugby

Potential soft spots offer Ireland some chance of New Zealand success

Tasked with halting New Zealand's attempt to retain the Rugby World Cup for a second time, Louise Galvin considered some soft spots in the All Blacks' armoury that Ireland could exploit. 

Reasonably comfortable favourites to overcome Ireland when they meet this weekend, New Zealand's patchy record against Joe Schmidt's side is unlikely to worry Steve Hansen all that much.

Amid the general consensus that even the very best Ireland can offer will not be enough if the All Blacks perform to their own potential, Ireland Women's 7s' Louise Galvin has been looking for reasons to be hopeful.

"They often put [Richie] Mo'unga to #13 defensively," she identified on Tuesday's OTB AM, "so he might be a target for Ireland.

"If New Zealand goes with the starting XV they went with against South Africa, they don't have a lot of experience, particularly with their wingers.

"Obviously, they're tremendous players but Sevu Reece and [George] Bridge might be a target for Ireland in terms of their defensive naivety at this level."

New Zealand

To take advantage of any perceived weaknesses, however, Ireland will need to perform well beyond what they have shown at the World Cup so far.

Beaten by Japan in their second pool fixture, questions marks regarding Joe Schmidt's side persist; more so when one considers the stature of Saturday's opponents.

"There's always this question whether we have a Plan B," outlined Galvin and can adapt or evolve in a game.

"I think if we end up a few tries behind, I wouldn't be putting money on us coming back."

An outlook that would require Ireland to manage the quarter-final against New Zealand from beginning to end, Galvin is adamant that should descend into a shoot-out between both sides, Joe Schmidt's men may lack the requisite arsenal to reply in kind.

You can watch Louise Galvin's full pre-match build-up here

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All Blacks Ireland Irish Rugby Football Union Louise Galvin New Zealand