Conor Murray cautions Ireland about the extraordinary athleticism of Malakai Fekitoa ahead of Rugby World Cup 2023

Conor Murray Warns Ireland of Tonga’s Threat Ahead of World Cup Clash

Ireland Must Be On Guard Against Tongan Powerhouse Malakai Fekitoa, Says Conor Murray

In their upcoming World Cup Pool B match against Tonga, scrum-half Conor Murray emphasizes the need for Ireland to be cautious and alert due to the presence of “ridiculous athlete” Malakai Fekitoa in the opposition team. The former All Black, who was part of New Zealand’s victorious 2015 World Cup campaign, is one among four former All Blacks currently playing for Tonga.

Murray had the opportunity to play alongside Fekitoa during his time at Munster last season and attests to his exceptional competitive spirit and commitment towards embracing team culture. Speaking highly about him, Murray says, “He really bought into our culture when he was at Munster… He fought his way back into the team and was a big part of our end-of-season run.”

Tonga’s Impressive Backline Poses a Challenge for Ireland

Fekitoa is not alone in bringing New Zealand experience to this powerful Tongan side. Alongside him are Charles Piutau, Augustine Pulu, and Vaea Fifita – all former All Blacks who will be lining up against Ireland on Saturday.

The Irish scrum-half acknowledges that it is crucial for their team to stay vigilant as they face a backline filled with players possessing the size, pace, and skills similar to Fekitoa. Murray highlights the threat posed by Tonga’s powerful and explosive backline and emphasizes that Ireland needs to be on their guard throughout the match.

Weather Conditions Play Their Part

The Irish team, who comfortably defeated Romania in their opening World Cup game under sunny skies, may face a different challenge this time as rain has been predicted for Nantes during their clash against Tonga. Reflecting on a previous warm-up match against Samoa played in wet conditions, where Ireland struggled at times, Murray admits they will be closely monitoring the weather forecast ahead of Saturday’s game.

Murray states, “There was a lot of stuff…that could’ve gone better” referring to the Samoa match. He recognizes that if Saturday’s game unfolds similarly with loose play due to challenging weather conditions, it might give an advantage to Tonga.

Ireland Prepared to Tackle Tongan Challenge

Despite facing tough opposition from Samoa before the World Cup commenced – where they had fallen behind 13-7 before eventually securing victory – Murray remains confident about Ireland’s ability to handle Tonga effectively. The experienced scrum-half draws comparisons between both teams’ playing styles while acknowledging Tonga’s strong forward pack and explosive backs.

Murray asserts that while there is certainly structure around their free-flowing rugby style of play, it can also become unpredictable and tricky for opponents when things get loose on the pitch. With preparations underway for this significant encounter against Tonga in Pool B, Ireland aims to maintain composure amidst potential challenges posed by their formidable opponents.