World Cup-winning coach Sir Clive Woodward hasn’t given the All Blacks a chance, or even addressed what they might need to do, to beat Ireland in their Rugby World Cup quarter-final. Writing for the Daily Mail, Woodward, who coached England to their sole Rugby World Cup crown in 2003, has tipped a “Northern Powerhouse” in his predictions for the first round of knockouts, picking Wales, Ireland, England and France to advance to the semifinals. Were Ireland to play in the fashion they did against Scotland in their quarter-final against the All Blacks, Woodward says “I can’t see New Zealand beating Ireland. “Ireland are playing on a different level to every other team at this World Cup and the only side close to them is France.”In a 250-word preview of the match, Woodward declines to mention New Zealand’s tournament at all - instead referring to Ireland’s 2022 series victory and drawing comparison to England’s World Cup-winning team of 2003. Ahead of the biggest match in the history of Irish rugby, Woodward says there is just one concern - and it isn’t the All Blacks.
