Steve Hansen knew what he was doing when anointing Ireland as the world No 1 side, even if the official rankings have not done so, saying: “It’s their turn at the moment so we’ll see how they cope with that.” So far they are not doing a bad job, wasting no time in announcing that Andy Farrell will replace Joe Schmidt after next year’s World Cup, where a first ever last-four berth is the least they will be expecting. A second victory over the All Blacks in three matches was a tactical masterclass, served up by Schmidt and Farrell and carried out by their players with relentless intensity. And all without Conor Murray. They are favourites to defend the Six Nations title and, as both Hansen and Eddie Jones have said recently, they have the ideal domestic set-up for international success.
Written by Gerard Meagher
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2018/nov/28/rugby-union-power-rankings-ireland-overtake-new-zealand under the title “Rugby union power rankings: Ireland overtake New Zealand to be top dogs”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
