this post was submitted on 29 Sep 2023
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Rugby Union
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Oh I agree with that for sure; but I don't think this result is just Italy not being good. ABs have done the work, they won the collision, won the break down, won the set piece, maintained their discipline, and played with accuracy & variety. They kept Italy out of the game and dictated the way it was played.
IRE or SA will be a completely different game, and they will be able to wrest control of the game if they lose it in the way that Italy were not. Although if the ABs keep improving from this they are looking like the team that hurt SA in NZ earlier this year. The difference between this ABs team and other eras is there's a question mark on if they can do it.
If they can, then whoever faces them in the quarters will need to win like its a final, and what that might do with 2 games remaining afterwards is food for thought.