Ireland starting 15 vs. NZ Announced

Crash

irishrugby.ie wrote:

15 - Robert Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 6
14 - Shane Horgan (Boyne/Leinster) 61
13 - Brian O’Driscoll Captain (UCD/Leinster) 83
12 - Luke Fitzgerald (Blackrock College/Leinster) 4
11 - Tommy Bowe (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 13
10 - Ronan O’Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster) 82
9 - Eoin Reddan (Wasps) 10

1 - Marcus Horan (Shannon/Munster) 56
2 -Jerry Flannery (Shannon/Munster) 21
3 - John Hayes (Bruff/Munster) 84
4 - Donncha O’Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 45
5 - Paul O’Connell (Young Munster/Munster) 52
6 - Alan Quinlan (Shannon/Munster) 25
7 - David Wallace (Garryowen/Munster) 46
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Clontarf/Leinster) 8

Replacements

16 - Rory Best (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 22
17 - Tony Buckley (Shannon/Munster) 7
18 - Mick O’Driscoll (Cork Constitution/Munster) 15
19 - Denis Leamy (Cork Constitution/Munster) 32
20 - Peter Stringer (Shannon/Munster) 82
21 - Paddy Wallace (Ballymena/Ulster) 8
22 - Girvan Dempsey (Terenure College/Leinster) 80

Strong team, I'd say our best chance of beating NZ is with this lot, and definitely an exciting backline which has a lot of potential. Will be interesting to see how the BOD/Fitz partnership works in it. Quinny definitely deserves his starting spot, but will have to watch to avoid giving away sensitive penalties. I know people will probably bemoan wallace on the bench but definitely think he's a good utility sub to have at least, even if he's not exactly great or the way forward.

bleg

happy with that

kmart6

Very good team IMO! Have to laugh at the forwards though with the 7 Munster lads!

Bounty Hunter

what Leamy isnt starting damn Leinster bias upfront:D

good team IMO. did Murphy not travel i cant remember? would prefer him atleast to Girv on the bench

Crash

Murphy carrying any injury from the premiership final? I probably would as well, to be honest. There are some players who can sub into a game extremely well, and I think he's better than Girv at coming into a match cold.

To be honest, the only change I'd have liked is one that couldnt happen anyway, which would've been Cullen on the bench for Micko. Depending on how the backrow works, and Leamys contribution if he comes on, would consider reshuffle for the Oz game, but other than that, its a good strong team.

[Jackass]

Amazing that Jennings still doesn't feature in the squad and gutted for Leo that he's having surgery as he would easily feature in this game, absolutley ahead of MO'D, but would have a very good case to be in the 1st 15. Also a joke that sexton is still not in the 22 ahead of Wallace. I'm glad there's no sign of MO'K as it's as big a waste of time having him in there as Wallace and disapointed to see Girv in, although a couple of seasons in him yet, Kearney is more then capable at FB with Fitz as cover, I think Murphy should be in there.

Also Best in ahead of Jackman is a bit of a joke. D'Arcy may struggle to get back in the Leinster side, let alone Ireland next season tbh with the quality of options around, but you'd presume fitz would be at 11 and D'Arcy at 12 if full team available.

Other than that injury inforced move, I think the first 15 is very strong and am really looking forward to this game. With the exception of Leamy and Buckley, bench is a waste of time though. Duffy should be in there too. And who says Kidney isn't picking these squads and teams behind the scenes??

Teg Veece

Quite happy with that team. My one big worry would be Luke Fitz at 1st centre. Is there no one else?

Podge_irl

Best team available given the squad that travelled. Looking forward to the game now to see how the centre partnership gets on. While I know its still a slim chance I'm still going to be hopeful that they can pull off a victory as well.

barnesd

Quinlan is a late injury cry off, Leamy starts with Jennings on the bench.

Deedsie

barnesd wrote: »

Quinlan is a late injury cry off, Leamy starts with Jennings on the bench.

Is that 100% true?

mikedragon32

Not starting another thread for this...

Will any of the new laws be in operation for this game, seeing as the All Blacks will have been playing with them for a season now?

Otacon

Deedsie wrote: »

Is that 100% true?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7432805.stm

thigh strain apparently...

Zzippy

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Not starting another thread for this...

Will any of the new laws be in operation for this game, seeing as the All Blacks will have been playing with them for a season now?

No. ELVs will be used for the autumn tests but not the summer series

Size=everything

barnesd wrote: »

Quinlan is a late injury cry off, Leamy starts with Jennings on the bench.

thats a shame!!

Quinlan was brilliant this season and this was his chance to make his mark again on the international scene very unlucky.

Size=everything

I am happy with the squad selection the only thing I would have changed was put BOD first centre and Fitz 13

Might of took a gamble and started Jennings as well but content with reliable Wallace

zAbbo

I'm pretty sure BOD will be playing Inside, with Luke outside - don't worry about the numbers on the back of the jerseys

We've got winners all over the pitch, with the Munster lads winning HC, Leinster winning ML, Eoin Reddan winning GP, and Tommy Bowe winning the race out of Ulster

The bench having Girv (FB) and Wallace (FH/IC) leaves us a little short on impact, but the back players are all capable of switching positions.

Size=everything

zAbbo wrote: »

I'm pretty sure BOD will be playing Inside, with Luke outside - don't worry about the numbers on the back of the jerseys

We've got winners all over the pitch, with the Munster lads winning HC, Leinster winning ML, Eoin Reddan winning GP, and Tommy Bowe winning the race out of Ulster

The bench having Girv (FB) and Wallace (FH/IC) leaves us a little short on impact, but the back players are all capable of switching positions.

Ah right. Well then I have to say I am very happy with this team!

If Jennings was ahead of Wallace I would consider it perfection in my eyes but the call is very close and Wallace does have lots of experience so its near enough

and Tommy Bowe winning the race out of Ulster

lol

zAbbo

I'd be in two minds about Jennings, having watched him all season - he's bit a little hot and cold.

Harsh on him not to make the bench, but I guess Leamy is in there to cover 6/8, while Jennings covers 6/7

On the balance I'd stick with Leamy and let Jennings loose against the Aussies.

Flannery over Best is the right choice as well, looks like we're looking more at form than anything.

If Eddie was still in the job, we'd have Girv at FB, with probably Duffy/Horgan at inside centre, and most certainly Best at hooker with Leamy at 6.

Stev_o

zAbbo wrote: »

I'm pretty sure BOD will be playing Inside, with Luke outside - don't worry about the numbers on the back of the jerseys

We've got winners all over the pitch, with the Munster lads winning HC, Leinster winning ML, Eoin Reddan winning GP, and Tommy Bowe winning the race out of Ulster

The bench having Girv (FB) and Wallace (FH/IC) leaves us a little short on impact, but the back players are all capable of switching positions.

Im presuming at set pieces then its BOD at 12 and Fitz at 13 then? As i cant see Fitz leading the defence line against New Zealand.

Stev_o

I really hope this is a typo

"
One Munster man missing from the line-up is loose forward Alan Quinlan who was not considered for selection after failing to recover from a dead leg he suffered in the Heineken Cup final win. Jamie Heaslip will start on the blindside in his place."

Crash

It is Stev, looking at the irishrugby.ie site they've swapped Leamy in for Quinlan and Jennings onto the bench. Breakingnews.ie are just eejits

Amazotheamazing

Jennings still isn't the player he was at Leicester, he's been closer in form to Stephen Keogh than Keith Gleeson this season, imo.

It's the best team we could have picked, all things considered.

zAbbo

Stev_o wrote: »

Im presuming at set pieces then its BOD at 12 and Fitz at 13 then? As i cant see Fitz leading the defence line against New Zealand.

Depends, Horgan off the wing makes sense, as he would be better defending crash ball, while Fitz would be faster at catching their wingers - although Fitz's defense on the wing isn't great.

With Quinlan out, I guess Jennings does get a chance to make an appearance.

High&Low

Stev_o wrote: »

I really hope this is a typo

"
One Munster man missing from the line-up is loose forward Alan Quinlan who was not considered for selection after failing to recover from a dead leg he suffered in the Heineken Cup final win. Jamie Heaslip will start on the blindside in his place."

It was a typo - Leamy was originally on the bench with Quinlan starting and Heaslip is still at number 8.

EdgarAllenPoo

Jennings and Jackman being out of the lineup and yet Rory Best is in, odd.

crisco10

GDM wrote: »

Jennings and Jackman being out of the lineup and yet Rory Best is in, odd.

its an anti-leinster conspiracy!

tHE vAGGABOND

its an anti-leinster conspiracy!

Its the whole Ulster Quota thing

Size=everything

tHE vAGGABOND wrote: »

Its the whole Ulster Quota thing

BURN THEM

youcancallmeal

For anyone who is interested heres the NZ team:

Starting: Mils Muliaina; Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Andy Ellis; Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Schwalger, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.

Stev_o

youcancallme>al wrote: »

For anyone who is interested heres the NZ team:

Starting: Mils Muliaina; Anthony Tuitavake, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu; Dan Carter, Andy Ellis; Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, John Afoa, Brad Thorn, Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino.

Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Schwalger, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Leon MacDonald.

Positions?

bleg

GDM wrote: »

Jennings and Jackman being out of the lineup and yet Rory Best is in, odd.

not really, jackman had an absolutely awfully ****e six nations. best played better than him when he came on/started.

zAbbo

Stev_o wrote: »

Positions?

pretty much as it reads 15 - 9 (Ellis), and 1 - 8 (Kaino)

Possibly the weakest AB side in years.

Stev_o

zAbbo wrote: »

pretty much as it reads 15 - 9 (Ellis), and 1 - 8 (Kaino)

Possibly the weakest AB side in years.

There was me thinking its a bold move putting Nonu and Conrad Smith in the front row.....

Beanmachine

zAbbo wrote: »

Possibly the weakest AB side in years.

Possibly but still very very dangerous. There front row is massive combined weight of 363kg's.Afoa has played well in this season's super 14 and is deceptively quick for his size.

Conrad Smith is one of the most underated players on their team he's also one of there smartest.He'll be a real threat but i think he will start full back with tuitavake starting on the wing.

No doubt it is a weaker than usual New Zealand team but they are still very strong especially there pack with Williams McCaw and So'oialo and there front row. Ireland will need to be strong in the set piece throughout the match to have a chance in the match.

Zzippy

Stev_o wrote: »

There was me thinking its a bold move putting Nonu and Conrad Smith in the front row.....

Snickers Man

LOL.

Whatever about Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu is a bit of a Maori sidestepper and would probably be quite at home in the front row.


If you think that's a "weak" team it just goes to show the strength in depth that NZ has. Look at that back row! And with the likes of Smith, Carter and Sivivatu, not to mention Muliaina in the back line they have plenty of pace.

Hope our boys are over their jet lag.

juvenal

Stev_o wrote: »

I really hope this is a typo

"
One Munster man missing from the line-up is loose forward Alan Quinlan who was not considered for selection after failing to recover from a dead leg he suffered in the Heineken Cup final win. Jamie Heaslip will start on the blindside in his place."

High&Low wrote:

It was a typo - Leamy was originally on the bench with Quinlan starting and Heaslip is still at number 8.

This is unusual, as Gerry Thornley's article on ireland.com says the same thing;

ireland.com wrote:

One Munster man missing from the line-up is loose forward Alan Quinlan who was not considered for selection after failing to recover from a dead leg he suffered in the Heineken Cup final win. Jamie Heaslip will start on the blindside in his place.

Link is here

Edit: I'm an idiot and just realised it's the exact same sentence

nedward

The only hope I can see for Ireland is a post-World Cup hangover for New Zealand-otherwise, there's a lot of new faces looking to make names for themselves with proven players like McCaw, So'oialo in the mix.

rockman15

has nobody else thought about nonu or smith destroying fitzgerald at what ever position they play him...this is going to be a real baptism of fire for him....he is possibly the point at which they are going to attack all day, but if i had anybody to stand beside me on that pitch id pick BOD everytime....either way way it will be interesting to see what happens...hope he has a go at them!

Stev_o

rockman15 wrote: »

has nobody else thought about nonu or smith destroying fitzgerald at what ever position they play him...this is going to be a real baptism of fire for him....he is possibly the point at which they are going to attack all day, but if i had anybody to stand beside me on that pitch id pick BOD everytime....either way way it will be interesting to see what happens...hope he has a go at them!

Now im no Super 14 expert and because of the time difference i rarely see the New Zealand games but correct if im wrong Smith hasnt been out a very very long time with the 'Canes and also he's the biggest glory hunter iv seen in rugby nearly butchered a easy try for the Baa Baa's vs SA.

Nonu has been playing more at wing this season that 12 and at that he isnt a decent 12 and will conflict with New Zealands go wide policy but he'll do fine with the whole smash it up the front im guessing the first thing he does is run through the Fitzgerald O'Gara channel

Podge_irl

rockman15 wrote: »

has nobody else thought about nonu or smith destroying fitzgerald at what ever position they play him...this is going to be a real baptism of fire for him....he is possibly the point at which they are going to attack all day, but if i had anybody to stand beside me on that pitch id pick BOD everytime....either way way it will be interesting to see what happens...hope he has a go at them!

Smith isn't outrageously bigger then Fitz or anything. Beside, while his positioning can occasionally be an issue, Fitz is a fine tackler. I'd say if they try running through him they won't get a lot of change.

barnesd

Podge_irl wrote: »

Smith isn't outrageously bigger then Fitz or anything. Beside, while his positioning can occasionally be an issue, Fitz is a fine tackler. I'd say if they try running through him they won't get a lot of change.

Vainikolo managed to run over Fitz in the BaaBaas game but that's hardly a first. Generally people running straight at Fitzgerald has yielded very little change. He really can get lost in space though, I reckon BOD is going to be in his ear constantly during the game. Shaggy outside him will help too.

Rattlehead_ie

zAbbo wrote: »

I'm pretty sure BOD will be playing Inside, with Luke outside - don't worry about the numbers on the back of the jerseys

Although IM sure you're right about that and that its just the numbers I wouldn't entirely rule that situation out at all. Its something that has popped up in a number of conversations recently.

ironingbored

Good team and probably the best chance we have of beating the blacks. Slightly off topic but does anyone know if it's on terrestrial TV?

mrincredible

ironingbored wrote: »

Good team and probably the best chance we have of beating the blacks. Slightly off topic but does anyone know if it's on terrestrial TV?

Only on Sky sports I'm afraid and damned if I'm paying Rupert murdoch an extra E30 this month for the sake of two games. I know this has been said time and again but I really do think it's poor form that the national broadcaster isn't carrying ALL international games - Rugby and Soccer.

Anyone know if I can "watch" it on the radio - trust me -i'll be screaming at the thing for 80 minutes..

ironingbored

mrincredible wrote: »

Only on Sky sports I'm afraid and damned if I'm paying Rupert murdoch an extra E30 this month for the sake of two games. I know this has been said time and again but I really do think it's poor form that the national broadcaster isn't carrying ALL international games - Rugby and Soccer.

Anyone know if I can "watch" it on the radio - trust me -i'll be screaming at the thing for 80 minutes..

It should be live online on http://www.radiosport.co.nz/. I remember listening to the Lions matches and Ireland's 2006 tour on this station.

ironingbored

From radiosport.co.nz:

RUGBY -
TEST MATCH
Saturday 7:
All Blacks v Ireland, Westpac Stadium, Wellington, 7:35pm (Commentary)

AbusesToilets

It's also available on mediazone's rugby channel;although you might need to go through a proxy if you're at home.I know i watched the '05 matches on the site, pretty good for $9.99 a pop.

suppafly

Stev_o wrote: »

Nonu has been playing more at wing this season that 12 and at that he isnt a decent 12 and will conflict with New Zealands go wide policy but he'll do fine with the whole smash it up the front im guessing the first thing he does is run through the Fitzgerald O'Gara channel

Yup thats what i'm worried about too. Thats what he did the last time ireland played down there. Hopefully it doesn't happen this time

[Jackass]

Fitzgerald doesn't get the credit he deserves for his defence. I know he doesn't look like the biggest guy in the world and he hasn't fully filled out yet, but he has put in big hits all season and is no slouch in defence.

Probably the best quality opposition he played centre against all season was Munsters Mafi and Tipoki and imo got the better of them that day and let nothing up in defence, (no disrespect to the Munster pair, feel free to disagree, but no provincial discussion please!!) so I'm really looking forward to seeing Fitz against the ABs. But as said before, I still prefer him on the wing, but that could change, if he really settles into the centre position then great! One way or the other, this lad is class and I reckon he's the next big name in Irish rugby.

dc69

[Jackass] wrote: »

Fitzgerald doesn't get the credit he deserves for his defence. I know he doesn't look like the biggest guy in the world and he hasn't fully filled out yet, but he has put in big hits all season and is no slouch in defence.

Probably the best quality opposition he played centre against all season was Munsters Mafi and Tipoki and imo got the better of them that day and let nothing up in defence, (no disrespect to the Munster pair, feel free to disagree, but no provincial discussion please!!) so I'm really looking forward to seeing Fitz against the ABs. But as said before, I still prefer him on the wing, but that could change, if he really settles into the centre position then great! One way or the other, this lad is class and I reckon he's the next big name in Irish rugby.

I dont see a point in playing him on the wing,he isnt that fast so it doesnt make sence to me.Tommy bowe is fine on the wing.