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The plan was always to bring Pollard back (the 4 9s in the squad were the give away). What wasn't the plan was that Marx would be the one to be replaced. He is probably the one player in the squad who is clearly better than his replacement.
Fourie is a decent hooker though, he played there for the first half of his career. If they get another injury though I do think they'll call up Dweba. Rassie and Jacques are only bothered with winning the whole thing, they'd never go 7-1 in a knockout, this was a gamble to see.
Ireland are very good and phenomenaly coached but I do think NZ will beat them. This isn't a vintage NZ team but it is one that on their day can be brilliant (v SA in Auckland this year for example l). I just feel Ireland have emotionally peaked and won't be able to back it up for another 2 consecutive match days (Scotland not to be discounted).
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Saffronspokes
Prole.
I disagree. Ireland have been planning for this world cup specifically for the last 12/13 years. The amount of investment They've out into academies and grass roots is not matched anywhere in the world. They've only been planning for tonight's game for the last two and a half. Remember it wasn't that long ago they took the tour series away from a NZ team stronger than the one that's come to this WC, on their home turf.
If RSA bring Pollard back in for kicking duties, they will show they're panicking and have to rejig their entire back line play that they've been prepping for a WC with. The bigger problem they have is they've lost Marx. They're now left with a 2 that normally has to play 20min at most. The bomb squad pushed over a couple of scrums but still couldn't really boss a team that is not necessarily known for their outright physicality. Even the final play of the game was a nearly all in maul that Ireland managed to snuff out to kill the game.
I've watched a lot of rugby this WC. No other team holds a candle to either side that played tonight.