Ireland legend Ronan O’Gara insists that the challenge will become very different for Andy Farrell’s men should they reach the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup.
The Irishmen have impressed since the start of the global tournament, earning victories over Romania, Tonga and most recently South Africa.
That 13-8 triumph over the defending champion Springboks hinted at a side that was ready to take the next step and end their quarter-final hoodoo.
Farrell’s charges need to do the job against Scotland first but, should the 2023 Six Nations winners get through that, they will likely have a last-eight contest with the All Blacks.
Favourites for the first time
Ireland would go into that match in the strange position of being favourites, something that has rarely – if ever – happened for them against New Zealand.
They have so far handled everything incredibly well and have evidently gone into the tournament in peak condition, but O’Gara admits that the knockout stages can do strange things to teams.
The fly-half felt that in 2011 when the Irish went into their quarter-final against Wales in great form only to succumb 22-10 to Warren Gatland’s outfit.
“Is it Ireland’s time? Everyone in Ireland hopes so. I think they’ve got a fantastic manager in Andy Farrell, who is doing an amazing job, but pressure becomes different when it becomes knockout footy,” he told The Breakdown.
“I played in three World Cups. We had a chance to beat Wales in Wellington in the quarter-final and that would have got rid of the hoodoo of getting to a semi-final.
“Sometimes you don’t realise how good the opportunity in front of you is and you don’t take it. It’s four years gone and you’re back to the drawing board, but that’s sport, that’s why we love it, that’s why we get frustrated with it, but that’s why we keep going.
“You’ve got some seriously impressive teams with deep pedigree.”
O’Gara’s favourites for the title
O’Gara still believes that Ireland are in title contention, but that they are not the favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
The La Rochelle head coach said: “I think it’s difficult to look beyond France winning the World Cup. I just think with home advantage, with so many X-factor players…”
“But there’s always hope for the other teams, if it’s a night where they’re not feeling it and they might be a little bit moody.
“South Africa, Ireland and after that I would probably say New Zealand, they’re the four who I think can win it.”
READ MORE: Ronan O’Gara offers theory for All Blacks’ struggles over recent years
The article Ronan O’Gara raises concerns over Ireland’s Rugby World Cup mentality appeared first on Planetrugby.com.
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