Andy Ward, Ulster’s adopted Kiwi son who won 28 caps for Ireland, has heaped praise on Andy Farrell’s Ireland side, calling them the best team he has seen from these shores despite their heartbreaking last-eight exit against the All Blacks on Saturday night.
The flanker, who was a trailblazer in terms of Kiwi-born players representing Ireland, gives full credit to his country of birth for their phenomenal performance which saw them deny Ireland a first World Cup semi-final.
However, he bemoans the much-criticised draw system which saw the world’s top five nations in one half of the draw, resulting in two of the best four teams heading home in advance of the semi-finals.
“I think it was just so unjust where the draw put them – playing the All Blacks in a quarter-final,” Ward said.
“For me that game was befitting of a semi-final or a final. Neither side deserved to exit at this stage of the tournament. For me, it was a stunning game of rugby but, in my somewhat unique position as a huge fan of both sides, it was bit of a lose-lose situation given they met in the quarters.
“I’m absolutely gutted for Ireland given the remarkable journey they’ve been on the past couple of years. They have taken on all-comers and were able to go down and get a series win in New Zealand – that’s no mean feat. They have been building for years to get to this point and have become an incredible side.
“In terms of Ireland teams, I’ve seen over the years, this is without a shadow of doubt the best collection of guys. Everyone is so on point and knows their roles from one to 23 and they should be proud of what they have achieved under Andy Farrell and, before that, Joe Schmidt who laid the groundwork.
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“On the other side of the coin, I’ve got to take my hat off to the All Blacks. They’re a team that haven’t really been at themselves for 12 months and had lost a bit of that international aura that they had generated for years and years.
“They came into the tournament a bit of an unknown and we weren’t sure what we were going to see from them, but they came out of the blocks absolutely firing. They were at their clinical and ruthless best as you would expect in a huge game.”
Both sides delivered a phenomenal exhibition of rugby at a packed Stade de France – one of the best quarter-finals in World Cup history. Such was the magnificent display of physicality and intensity from both teams, the compelling contest was always destined to come down to the finest of margins.
“It was such a close contest on Saturday that the key factor was how clinical the All Blacks were,” said Ward.
“They scored a couple of tries from broken play which I hadn’t seen them do in a while, but it looks like they are getting their mojo back. They were lethal in attack with ball in hand and demonstrated they can hit Ireland from anywhere.
“There were a few crucial moments in that game that separated the sides. When Beauden Barrett put Ireland right on the back foot with a sublime chip and collect. It’s moments of genius like that that can make the difference.
“The All Blacks back-row were incredible, Sam Cane and Ardie Savea in particular. Savea was aggressive and deliberate in every involvement he had and had a huge impact on the game. Cane was dominant with his tackles, carried confidently and it was clear he gave this game everything he had.
“It was ultimately a mammoth defensive effort that got the All Blacks over the line. They showed real doggedness in defence and, combined with that spark in attack, it looks like the All Blacks have regained that nose for victory.
“I’m gutted for Ireland but, from an Irish perspective, I hope New Zealand go on and win it because I’d like to think that if I get put out of a tournament, I want to get put out by the eventual champions.
“The All Blacks will take confidence from this win as they go on to face Argentina and I believe they will only get better and better.”