“South Africa are going to have to have a complete clean-out. New Zealand the same” – Pope says Irish rugby in a good place

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Rugby analyst Brent Pope reckons that Irish rugby is in a good place, despite the disappointing end to their 2023 Rugby World Cup campaign.

Irish hopes were higher than ever before on the back of their huge pool stage win over South Africa, as well as the 17-game winning streak they brought into the quarter final against New Zealand. But the hoodoo continued as Ireland were knocked out at the quarter final stages once again. That's eight quarter final losses now for Ireland, since the tournament's inception in 1987. Despite the pain of this elimination, former RTÉ pundit Brent Pope doesn't believe it's time to hit the panic button. The Kiwi insisted that, due to the strength of their provincial set-up, as well as the success of their under-20 team who made the Rugby World Cup final this year, Ireland are in a good place. New Zealand and South Africa will contest this Saturday's Rugby World Cup final, but Pope believes that, down the line, Ireland may indeed find themselves 'better off' than their southern hemisphere counterparts. "I think Ireland are in a really good place with their development," said Pope on the House of Rugby. Pope points to the age-profile of the South African pack (the average age of their front eight vs England was 32) and the growing exodus of All Black players towards Japan. "In fact, I think they're better off. South Africa are going to have to have a complete clean-out after this World Cup, if you look at the age-profile of their pack.

"New Zealand are the same, losing a lot of players to Japan. So I think Ireland, if you look at their under-age structure, their under-20s this year, provincial rugby is still strong," said Pope.

"So that will unearth the next O'Gara, or Sexton. Sam Prendergast and Crowley are already coming through the system, so I do think we're in a good place," added Pope. From a New Zealand perspective, they are losing some of their best players to Japanese clubs after this World Cup, with Ardie Savea, Aaron Smith, Brodie Retallick, Beauden Barrett Richie Mo’unga and Shannon Frizell all on the move. Back up fly-half Damien McKenzie is also based in Japan next year. Ardie Savea, widely renowned as the best rugby player in the world, was very honest earlier in the year about the reasons behind his move.

“Plain and simple: to set up my family. The money’s good, I’m not going to lie,” Savea said.

BRENT POPE & SENE NAOUPU ON HOUSE OF RUGBY

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• Lawrence Dallaglio comments on referee blow up as Matt Williams trolls Springboks
• "An unbelievable find" - Brian Gleeson and five other Ireland prospects to watch in the URC
• Johnny Sexton linked with swift return to Ireland as Mike Catt set to depart

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