Ireland aims to halt 191-point losing streak in November tests
Ireland have lost 191 points in their past six games against New Zealand, France and South Africa.
By Elijah Fitzgerald ·
Ireland entered an autumn schedule a year out from the Rugby World Cup, riding the crest of a wave. They dispatched South Africa, Fiji and Australia to end 2022 top of the world rankings. But in the three years since the All Blacks exacted revenge in one of the great World Cup knockout matches in Paris, Ireland's place among rugby's elite has often looked less than assured. Persistent defeats by New Zealand, South Africa and France have raised questions about the team's trajectory as next year's World Cup draws closer. With Argentina, Fiji and South Africa visiting Dublin over the next three weeks, Ireland have the opportunity to give their journey to Australia a much-needed shot in the arm. Ireland need a big scalp to sufficiently alter the narrative, and they must avoid first home losses to Argentina and Fiji before renewing hostilities with South Africa.
The past six meetings with New Zealand, France and South Africa have been a key concern. Ireland have lost these games by double-digit margins, scoring 101 points and conceding 191. The two most recent reverses, a 36-14 loss away to France in this year's Six Nations and a 40-21 defeat inside the All Blacks' Eden Park fortress, were the heaviest. Farrell will be desperate for his side to extinguish an error-prone performance in Auckland that allowed New Zealand to effectively wrap up the game by half-time. To sufficiently alter the narrative, they must avoid first home losses to Argentina and Fiji before renewing hostilities with South Africa. Landing a knockout blow on the world champions at this stage in the cycle would be a significant statement.
Persistent defeats by New Zealand, South Africa and France have raised questions about the team's trajectory as next year's World Cup draws closer. With Argentina, Fiji and South Africa visiting Dublin over the next three weeks, Ireland have the opportunity to give their journey to Australia a much-needed shot in the arm. Ireland need a big scalp to sufficiently alter the narrative, and they must avoid first home losses to Argentina and Fiji before renewing hostilities with South Africa.
Ireland have lost 191 points in their past six games against New Zealand, France and South Africa. The two most recent reverses, a 36-14 loss away to France in this year's Six Nations and a 40-21 defeat inside the All Blacks' Eden Park fortress, were the heaviest. Farrell will be desperate for his side to extinguish an error-prone performance in Auckland that allowed New Zealand to effectively wrap up the game by half-time. To sufficiently alter the narrative, they must avoid first home losses to Argentina and Fiji before renewing hostilities with South Africa. Landing a knockout blow on the world champions at this stage in the cycle would be a significant statement.
Persistent defeats by New Zealand, South Africa and France have raised questions about the team's trajectory as next year's World Cup draws closer. With Argentina, Fiji and South Africa visiting Dublin over the next three weeks, Ireland have the opportunity to give their journey to Australia a much-needed shot in the arm. Ireland need a big scalp to sufficiently alter the narrative, and they must avoid first home losses to Argentina and Fiji before renewing hostilities with South Africa.
