Eddie O’Sullivan believes the selection of Beauden Barrett at full-back rather than out-half is a positive for Ireland ahead of Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final meeting in Tokyo Stadium.
Barrett, the World Player of the Year in 2016 and 2017, has been named at full-back with Crusaders out-half Richie Mo’unga operating at 10.
Ireland have won two of their past three encounters with New Zealand but enter the game as clear underdogs, a consequence of their extremely patchy form in 2019 and their relatively undistinguished history in the competition itself.
However, the former Ireland coach thinks Joe Schmidt’s team has a far more settled look heading into the weekend.
“That’s a strong New Zealand backline but it’s not the perfect backline,” O’Sullivan told the RTÉ Rugby Podcast.
“I’m really happy about Barrett being at 15 because I don’t think he’s going to get his hands on the ball as much.
“He’s a massive catalyst for New Zealand in attack. He’s a very smart defender…
