As the Rugby World Cup draws closer, the coaches and players of the leading teams are starting to make their predictions about their oppositions’ performances. One coach who has sent a warning shot across the bow of the Irish team is New Zealand’s Steve Hansen. The All Blacks coach has suggested that if Ireland were in his home country’s position, they would be labeled as “chokers” – a phrase used to describe teams that consistently fall short in big games. In this article, we will explore Hansen’s comments in more detail and analyze what they could mean for Ireland’s chances at the upcoming Rugby World Cup.
New Zealand’s former rugby coach, Steve Hansen, has predicted that Ireland will face pressure at the Rugby World Cup in France later this year. The team is newly ranked as the world’s top side and has been tipped as a major contender for global supremacy. However, Ireland has never managed to progress past the quarter-final stage of any previous World Cups. Hansen, who led the All Blacks to victory in 2015, believes that although Ireland is a contender, the team still has a hurdle to overcome. “Ireland will have to overcome the pressure of not having gone past the quarter-finals before, and there will be a lot of pressure involved in that”, he said. “If they get through to the semi-finals, then they are in new territory”. During the past year, Ireland won an away Test series against New Zealand and enjoyed unbeaten campaigns in the Autumn Nations Series and Six Nations. The country’s Six Nations Grand Slam victory marked its first historic success on home turf. However, the team’s coach, Andy Farrell, said that its game was “nowhere near” where it would like it to be, even though it has shown a blend of grit, guile, and free-flowing rugby.
In summary, Steve Hansen’s warning to Ireland ahead of the Rugby World Cup serves as a timely reminder that no team is invincible, regardless of their past successes. While the All Blacks have often been labelled “chokers” after failing to win on the biggest stage, Hansen’s comments are a reminder that every team faces challenges and expectations. As the tournament approaches, it will be fascinating to see how Ireland and other top teams perform under the weight of the pressure and scrutiny. Will they rise to the occasion, or will they fall short? Only time will tell.
