If not now, when?
Rivers of green flow out of the stadium, back to the Paris RER and the metro. The night is stiff and chilly, and the air thick with unanswerable questions. There’s anger, but just a touch, and there’s sadness, but only a little. Instead, the overwhelming feeling in the aftermath is bewilderment, as if a sacred pact has been broken. Did it all end too abruptly? Somewhere, on some plane, it feels like it.
If not now, when? Maybe this is the question that will occupy Caelan Doris in his quieter moments. The high ball goes up with 72 minutes on the clock, a catch he could make in his sleep. But this time, it keeps him awake. Johnny Sexton will ponder the penalty kick he missed, and Conor Murray will struggle to forget the blur of Jordie Barrett and the interfering arm in the corner of his eye.
If it seems harsh to dwell on these isolated moments in the aftermath of four years, how else can we explain what happened? The process that led Ireland to the top of the world rankings was faultless. Their journey to the brink of immortality was flawless. Yet, in defeat, everything that came before feels different. Were they really the favorites? Could they have really become world champions? Did they know, or did they simply believe?
Let’s talk about New Zealand, a team that knows how to play the long game. Sam Cane delivered the performance of his life, while Ardie Savea was better still, a defining presence on the field. Sam Whitelock waited patiently, then made the crucial steal that secured victory. These are the players you want in the heat of the moment.
But it’s not just about individuals. New Zealand collectively outplayed Ireland, gradually finding their weaknesses and attacking them. They shut down the inside channels, forced Ireland to make risky passes, and relied on their organization and speed to recover. They used the chip-and-chase tactic to great effect and forced Ireland back time after time. This wasn’t just about plans and schemes; it was about world-class players adapting under immense pressure.
Perhaps there’s a wealth of experience at play here, a database of solutions built up over decades. Mental strength can’t be discounted either. In a knockout tournament between two evenly matched teams, it’s relevant that one has been here before and the other hasn’t. Ireland has tried to shed the baggage of past failures, but in their defeat, they’ve added to the challenge for the next generation.
So, what now for this team? There will be retirements and rebuilding. Sexton is gone. O’Mahony and Aki will be nearing 40 in the next World Cup. The younger generation will have to step up and create a new machine for the future. But when will that be? That’s not a question Ireland wants to think about right now.
Denial of responsibility! Vigour Times is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
