Team for Australia

Arrogance

Dont think anyone can disagree with this team...

1.Healy
2.Cronin
3.Buckley
4.O'Callaghan
5.Touhy
6.Henry
7.Jennings
8.Wallace
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Trimble
12.Wallace
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Murphy

16.Fogarty
17.Court
18.MOD
19.Ruddock
20.Stringer/O'Leary
21.D'arcy
22.Kearney

No O'Gara for backline cover.

thomond2006

For next week:

Healy
Cronin
Buckley
DOC
Tuohy
Jennings
Wallace
Henry
Reddan
Sexton
Trimble
Wallace
BOD
Bowe
Murphy

Fogarty
Court
O'Donoghue
Ruddock (bring him on for a few minutes to get him capped)
Stringer
D'Arcy
Kearney

Arrogance

Out of interest why Jennings at 6 when Henry has played a lot of rugby at 6 and Jennings hasnt?

thomond2006

Arrogance wrote: »

Out of interest why Jennings at 6 when Henry has played a lot of rugby at 6 and Jennings hasnt?

I don't like Wallace at 8.

Jennings played 6 in his first year at Leinster when Keith Gleeson was at 7.

twinytwo

Arrogance wrote: »

Dont think anyone can disagree with this team...

1.Healy
2.Cronin
3.Buckley
4.O'Callaghan
5.Touhy
6.Henry
7.Jennings
8.Wallace
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Trimble
12.Wallace
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Murphy

16.Fogarty
17.Court
18.MOD
19.Ronan
20.Stringer/O'Leary
21.D'arcy
22.Kearney

No O'Gara for backline cover.

And if something were to happen to sexton, would you be happy with wallace/murphy taking over the kicking?

thomond2006

twinytwo wrote: »

And if something were to happen to sexton, would you be happy with wallace/murphy taking over the kicking?

I would.

Arrogance

twinytwo wrote: »

And if something were to happen to sexton, would you be happy with wallace/murphy taking over the kicking?

I'd have no problem with Wallace coming in.

B0X

Wallace would probably add that extra running capability like in the 6 nations against Italy (In fairness that's what we need against these kind of running sides)

Risteard

Arrogance wrote: »

Dont think anyone can disagree with this team...

1.Healy
2.Cronin
3.Buckley
4.O'Callaghan
5.Touhy
6.Henry
7.Jennings
8.Wallace
9.Reddan
10.Sexton
11.Trimble
12.Wallace
13.O'Driscoll
14.Bowe
15.Murphy

16.Fogarty
17.Court
18.MOD
19.Ronan
20.Stringer/O'Leary
21.D'arcy
22.Kearney

No O'Gara for backline cover.

Spot on apart maybe from Ruddock on the bench.

I know I may have backed myself into a corner what with my views of chucking players in with little gametime at ML level, but he certainly seems physically ready for Senior rugby and I was impressed by him today.

Wouldn't start him though.

I really like the look of a Sexton/Wallace partnership. Very creative and we could see it today from Wallace.

Arrogance

I think you're right about Ruddock. To be honest he covers 6 and 8 and would probably be a better option than Ronan and it would be good to get him on for 2 mins so he can be fully capped.

danthefan

This is what I'd pick if I were coach:

Murphy
Bowe
BOD
P. Wallace
Trimble
Sexton
Reddan
Wallace
Jennings
Henry
Touhy
DOC
Buckley
Cronin
Healy

Court, Fogarty, EOD, Ruddock, TOL, D'Arcy, Kearney

redroar1942

You cant not have O Gara on the bench in a game that is going to be so intense. If Sexton gets injured again then you're putting Wallace at 10 and bringing Darcy on. You need specialist replacements for the key positions against a team as clynical as Australia. And no I wouldn't trust either of Wallace or Kearney to get the pressure kicks if needed.

Darcy serves no purpose on the bench as Kearney/O Leary/Wallace/Sexton can cover any position that he may be needed in.

Nothing to do with provincal bia's on my part

Arrogance

Kearney, O'Leary and Sexton cannot cover 12 if Wallace was to get injured.... No one can, except D'arcy.

Unless you want Horgan or Trimble slotting in there that is *shudder*

CouchSmart

O'Gara will earn his 100th cap if he makes it on the pitch at all next weekend. Might this have an effect on Kidney, who knows.

Luckycharm

redroar1942 wrote: »

You cant not have O Gara on the bench in a game that is going to be so intense. If Sexton gets injured again then you're putting Wallace at 10 and bringing Darcy on. You need specialist replacements for the key positions against a team as clynical as Australia. And no I wouldn't trust either of Wallace or Kearney to get the pressure kicks if needed.

Darcy serves no purpose on the bench as Kearney/O Leary/Wallace/Sexton can cover any position that he may be needed in.

Nothing to do with provincal bia's on my part

ROG (speedbump) offers nothing these days bar placekicking- his kicking out of his hand has even gone to POT. With the new rules holding onto the ball is very important these days and ROG offer ZERO Threat!! Wallaces placekicking isn't actually that bad.

redroar1942

Arrogance wrote: »

Kearney, O'Leary and Sexton cannot cover 12 if Wallace was to get injured.... No one can, except D'arcy.

Unless you want Horgan or Trimble slotting in there that is *shudder*

I think Sexton can easily cover 12 but BOD can shift in there anyway, Trimble or Murphy can play 13 at a decent level. 10 is a far more important position then 12 and I'd rather have the cover there myself.

I dont think Darcy is playing well enough to be in the 22 but hay its all about opinions.

danthefan

redroar1942 wrote: »

You cant not have O Gara on the bench in a game that is going to be so intense. If Sexton gets injured again then you're putting Wallace at 10 and bringing Darcy on. You need specialist replacements for the key positions against a team as clynical as Australia. And no I wouldn't trust either of Wallace or Kearney to get the pressure kicks if needed.

Darcy serves no purpose on the bench as Kearney/O Leary/Wallace/Sexton can cover any position that he may be needed in.

Nothing to do with provincal bia's on my part

With the team I picked (no ROG on the bench) D'Arcy covers if any of Sexton, BOD or Wallace have to go off injured. Kearney covers the back 3, TOL covers SH or wing at a very long stretch.

I've left ROG off because I don't believe we can win the game with him at 10. Wallace stood at first receiver an awful lot tonight, the only reason I can think of for that is the management want to see how he is at 10.

PhatPiggins

danthefan wrote: »

With the team I picked (no ROG on the bench) D'Arcy covers if any of Sexton, BOD or Wallace have to go off injured. Kearney covers the back 3, TOL covers SH or wing at a very long stretch.

I've left ROG off because I don't believe we can win the game with him at 10. Wallace stood at first receiver an awful lot tonight, the only reason I can think of for that is the management want to see how he is at 10.

You could be right, I think there was a similar mentality when they palyed Wallace at 10 in one of the A game's before Christmas.

outwest

thomond2006 wrote: »

For next week:

Healy
Cronin
Buckley
DOC
Tuohy
Jennings
Wallace
Henry
Reddan
Sexton
Trimble
Wallace
BOD
Bowe
Murphy

Fogarty
Court
O'Donoghue
Ruddock (bring him on for a few minutes to get him capped)
Stringer
D'Arcy
Kearney

spot on, we dont want wales stealing him, i would have duffy on bench, he covers centre as well as 15

danthefan

I think Ruddock has nailed his colours to the mast already.

outwest

CouchSmart wrote: »

O'Gara will earn his 100th cap if he makes it on the pitch at all next weekend. Might this have an effect on Kidney, who knows.

doubt it, kidney doesnt beleave in that ****e, mal was very close to 100 too.

and foley for the hcup

Enough of the O'Gara bashing lads, you don't need to put a player down to suggest someone is ahead of him. I really don't like that element of this forum, that people continually knock players in order to "big up" the player they'd prefer in that position.

I too want Sexton at 10 btw.

Arrogance

Deleted User wrote: »

Enough of the O'Gara bashing lads, you don't need to put a player down to suggest someone is ahead of him. I really don't like that element of this forum, that people continually knock players in order to "big up" the player they'd prefer in that position.

I too want Sexton at 10 btw.

Find me one post where someone 'knocked' O'Gara that wasn't fair criticism.

Of course you point out a player's weaknesses to suggest a stronger player is ahead of him, how else do you think it should be decided!

It really doesn't matter if its fair or not fair, it just increases the element of one-up-man-ship between people on here. It also creates a divide within the provincial setup.

I'll briefly explain. Lets say I am a Munster fan, I've been to loads of games over the last 7 years, O'Gara has been the man for us, literally clawing us out of the dirt on a number of occasions. I have huge respect for the guy, and pretty much idolise him. I am also aware that Sexton is playing better than him, and deserves the number 10 Jersey. However, when I log in, I see "O'Gara can't do this, that, or this either". To me, this is infuriating, and I immediately jump in to protect him, probably by criticising some slight mistake Sexton has made, or vice versa.

Its human nature, if your friend gets in a fight with someone, you don't ask who was right or wrong, you protect your friend, however way you feel you should.

FWIW, I am a Leinster & Irish Rugby Fan, I think Sexton should start because he has earned the right, and is playing the best rugby that any 10 in the country is currently. It really is that easy to state an opinion.

Bugnug

redroar1942 wrote: »

I think Sexton can easily cover 12 but BOD can shift in there anyway, Trimble or Murphy can play 13 at a decent level. 10 is a far more important position then 12 and I'd rather have the cover there myself.

I dont think Darcy is playing well enough to be in the 22 but hay its all about opinions.

Am I missing something or was Darcy's performance not one of the few positives out of the AB's game?

Bugnug

redroar1942 wrote: »

I think Sexton can easily cover 12 but BOD can shift in there anyway, Trimble or Murphy can play 13 at a decent level. 10 is a far more important position then 12 and I'd rather have the cover there myself.

I dont think Darcy is playing well enough to be in the 22 but hay its all about opinions.

Oh and by the way whats "hay" got to do with it, I know we have a bull, but come on!

outwest

Bugnug wrote: »

Am I missing something or was Darcy's performance not one of the few positives out of the AB's game?

i think u meen ihis performance in the last 20,


wallace offer that bit more in attack.

Bugnug

outwest wrote: »

i think u meen ihis performance in the last 20,


wallace offer that bit more in attack.

No way. If the backs we have were given fast ball and brought into play by Sexton then the Darcy/BOD combination is by far our most potent attcking combination, but the 9/10 combination has to match.

outwest

ya but the 10 12 combo today did very well,

darce and bod didnt create much in the 6 nations.

CouchSmart

Wallace - BOD axis is perfect for the Aus game. We've seen that in physical matches Wallace can't handle it but against a slightly light Aussie backline I think Wallace would do great. Totally different player to D'Arce, more creative with ball in hand.

Ireland need to start selecting combinations best suited to beating the opposition.

funky penguin

redroar1942 wrote: »

I think Sexton can easily cover 12 but BOD can shift in there anyway, Trimble or Murphy can play 13 at a decent level.

Don''t forget Tommy!

CouchSmart

With regards the bench, I think people need to stop thinking of it as injury cover. The best available players should be on it. Using it as injury cover leads to so many ifs and buts.

IF Sexton got injured I'd obviously like to have ROG to come in off the bench. But equally if not more so IF BOD/(Wallace/Darce) got injured I'd prefer to have Darce/Wallace to come in as a replacement rather than the whole backline shifting around. Yet this way of thinking is just silly as no one can predict injuries.

Bench should be for impact first. Greatest cover possible second. 21.Centre/Outhalf is much better than 21.Only able to play outhalf. My thoughts anyway.

Podge_irl

CouchSmart wrote: »

We've seen that in physical matches Wallace can't handle it

I'm not sure that's entirely true. He dealt fine against Nonu in NZ for example. His constant head injuries are a worry, but I don't think it's so much to do with the opposition as an underlying problem. He's not going to break tackles like D'Arcy, but as long as Sexton is at 10 I wouldn't worry too much about him in defence and think he's a legitimate option at 12 against anyone really.

Diamondmaker

Its a very exciting prospect on sat now. Most of us agree roughly on the team. I for one fully expect to see ROG in the squad and hopefully on the bench, I doubt DK will do anything so radical as to not have Full OH cover.

The Ozzies are not heavy physically in any way across the field and we should beat them physically and I expect to edge the scrum. cant wait for England to rough them up something savage in a few hours too and soften them some more.

Experience wise they are probably a test series ahead of our new bloods on average, having tested a few combos on the GS tour just gone, where we only tested the combos... ehhhh...last night. What ever way we line out i would expect to see only 5-7 really experienced guys in our starting team.

Its gonna be a top game and had we played a more "usual" looking team I would have tipped us, due to experience, but in whats going to be a classy game ( I hope ) I think the Ozzies may just shade it. They have a better familiartiy and a potent backline which will really test our guys who have only very limited experience ( in the main )of our current Defensive systems. Hopefully we can improve from the poor D against t he Maori over the week. In fairness Shaggy was responsible for a bit alot of the defensive frailties.

sock puppet

Diamondmaker wrote: »

The Ozzies are not heavy physically in any way across the field and we should beat them physically and I expect to edge the scrum. cant wait for England to rough them up something savage in a few hours too and soften them some more.

That'd probably be the worst thing to happen from our point of view. Should Australia take another hammering in the scrums and if they lose Deans will be under pressure to recall his more experienced props. They'd handle us easily imo. Though I'm not convinced that Deands would actually go for it.

Ian_K

sock puppet wrote: »

That'd probably be the worst thing to happen from our point of view. Should Australia take another hammering in the scrums and if they lose Deans will be under pressure to recall his more experienced props. They'd handle us easily imo. Though I'm not convinced that Deands would actually go for it.

But Alexander, Moore and Robinson are all injured arent they?

sock puppet

Ian_K wrote: »

But Alexander, Moore and Robinson are all injured arent they?

They are I meant Baxter really. Sorry shouldn't have said props. He's no world beater but I think he'd help them shore up the scrum for now. Deans seems to want to develop his new guys though.

PhatPiggins

sock puppet wrote: »

They are I meant Baxter really. Sorry shouldn't have said props. He's no world beater but I think he'd help them shore up the scrum for now. Deans seems to want to develop his new guys though.

I dont think he dropped Baxter because he wants to blood the young props he dropped him because he's rubbish. Granted he's been marginally less rubbish since Deans took over but he'll stick with the young guys for the Irish test.

sock puppet

PhatPiggins wrote: »

I dont think he dropped Baxter because he wants to blood the young props he dropped him because he's rubbish. Granted he's been marginally less rubbish since Deans took over but he'll stick with the young guys for the Irish test.

You're right but he can't be any worse than Ma'afu. Though I think Weeks was worth a shot for these tests.

PhatPiggins

sock puppet wrote: »

You're right but he can't be any worse than Ma'afu. Though I think Weeks was worth a shot for these tests.

True enough, I thought Weeks had a very good S14. Ma'fu was slightly better today(not hard) so I still think Deans will stick with him against our powder puff front row.

dmcc13

Glad to see most people on here have gone with Reddan,Sexton and Wallace. I think this is the only way forward as long as the shackles are released. Don't get me wrong Darcy is one of my favourite players but i just think we need someone to spark the outside backs and the more i see of darc the more i think he is just too similar too BOD. Maybe he is really 13 and could be a damned good one aswell. Darcey is such a good runner of the ball but we need a bit more distribution and space for the outside backs. In saying this,after seeing eng v australia i am convinced if we keep the ball, control the tempo and use our heads we can win with style. If we kick away possesion, run aimlessly when we do have it and pick TOL/stringer to choose all the wrong options it could be another long day.

Jemo

On the Wallace/D'Arcy debate it all comes down to the game plan that Deccie chooses to employ. If he wants to keep it tight and play his regular tactics then D'Arcy is the obvious choice with an aim to defense and making the hard yards and maybe a couple of breaks. If he chooses to listen to the lessons learned on this tour and even in the six nations to a certain extent then Wallace and an expansive game plan is the right choice. I for one cast my vote for the Reddan-Sexton-Wallace playmaking plan with Murphy at fullback and 6.Jennings 7.Wallace 8. Henry in the pack if Jenno makes it over his injury woes. If not then shift Wallace to Six, Ronan 7 and Ruddock on the bench in either case. Also the rog on the bench debate is an interesting one, as normally I would let Wallace cover the 10 role but with Sextons tendancy to get injured in recent times I would worry at Wallace having to play almost the entire game at 10 for us with little recent experience. I'd still take the gamble though and go with Kearney, D'arcy and Tol on the bench.

1.Healy 2.Cronin 3. Buckley 4. Doc 5. Tuohy 6. Jennings 7. Wallace 8. Henry 9. Reddan 10. Sexton 11. Trimble 12. Wallace 13. Bod 14. Bowe 15 Murphy 16. Flannery/Fogarty 17. Court 18. O'Donoghue 19. Ruddock 20. D'Arcy 21. Kearney 22. TOL

Heroditas

CouchSmart wrote: »

We've seen that in physical matches Wallace can't handle it

The Maoris weren't exactly shrinking violets yesterday and Wallace did fine.

JustinDee

CouchSmart wrote: »

O'Gara will earn his 100th cap if he makes it on the pitch at all next weekend. Might this have an effect on Kidney, who knows.

Doesn't make a jot of difference.
He'll be in the 22 without a doubt.

ozt9vdujny3srf

JustinDee wrote: »

Doesn't make a jot of difference.
He'll be in the 22 without a doubt.

Yeah, I have to agree, and rightly so.

Bringing O'Gara on for sexton during a match (or vice versa, depending on who starts) makes it possible to completely change ireland style of play, and the course of the game. What having these 2 guys in the match day squad loses in bench cover, it gains dramatically in the impact that can be made from the bench. Also, in the event of an out half injury, playing wallace at OH is just as bad as having to reshuffle the backline due to lack of centre / wing cover.

CouchSmart

Podge_irl wrote: »

I'm not sure that's entirely true. He dealt fine against Nonu in NZ for example. His constant head injuries are a worry, but I don't think it's so much to do with the opposition as an underlying problem. He's not going to break tackles like D'Arcy, but as long as Sexton is at 10 I wouldn't worry too much about him in defence and think he's a legitimate option at 12 against anyone really.

That was two years ago though. Defence system was totally different, perhaps BOD was looking out for him etc. In recent times, in high level test games we've seen his head doesn't hold up. With the added physicality of Sexton inside hopefully we won't see him having so many injuries as you said.

Jemo

CouchSmart wrote: »

With the added physicality of Sexton inside hopefully we won't see him having so many injuries as you said.

Actually, the added physicality of Sexton would probably mean more defensive hardship for Paddy. Most teams target ROG as he is the light man in defence (no offence to him but D'Arcy and TOL are more formidable defenders) which means teams tend to run down his channel more often. Put Sexton at 10 and Wallace at 12 and Wallace becomes the light man in defence though so more ball is likely to come down his channel. His defence is up to scratch but when you look at a strong unit, you need to find where it is relatively weaker. I don't think his head injuries are as big a problem as people make out, BOD in recent years goes down injured just as often, it just tends to be muscle strains rather than a bloody mess. If all else fails then give the man a scrumcap, I know it has a negative effect on communication but Giteau, arguably the best 12 in world rugby wears one and performs excellently. I think this 10/12/13 partnership has a lot of potential so long as Kidney allows them to play with flair and aggression. D'Arcy on the bench for impact with Wallace acting 10 cover if Sexton has to go off.

CouchSmart

I wouldn't really have any fear for Wallace defending his own channel. And with Sexton and BOD there to aid him I worry even less! I think his injuries occur because he isn't used to multi tasking in defence and so gets into poor body positions trying to defend his channel and keep an eye on whats going towards ROG.

Anyway, it's not all defence. It's really balance that you want. ROG doesn't have the strongest running game and doesn't take contact well so if there's big pressure from the opposing defence then its nice for him to have D'Arce outside him who can truck it up or use his quick feet to get out of trouble. D'Arce works great under pressure, something some people don't realise.

Wallace is the type of centre who needs an extra second or two to create something. Sexton gives him this second because he offers a running threat.

sock puppet

This is our best chance of a win in a while I feel. I doubt they'll be going in with a mindset of damage limitation. Australia are ravaged by injury and their replacements aren't playing well at all. Bar Pocock their forwards are all ****e really. By my reckoning more than half of their first choice team are injured. I think our injuries are mainly in areas where we have adequate cover.

rockman15

sock puppet wrote: »

This is our best chance of a win in a while I feel. I doubt they'll be going in with a mindset of damage limitation. Australia are ravaged by injury and their replacements aren't playing well at all. Bar Pocock their forwards are all ****e really. By my reckoning more than half of their first choice team are injured. I think our injuries are mainly in areas where we have adequate cover.

yeah rocky elsom is ****e! :rolleyes:

anyway...theres no harm in experimenting with our line up. however in my opinion, we're facing the best attacking team in the world this week. cooper was quiet last week because he was mashed early on, twice. we need to slow ball to him and smack him down hard. giteau was the ozzy force last week and whoever plays 12 is going to have their work cut out. personally i think d'arcy would be better as he can match giteau for speed all over the park. but he surpasses wallace when you watch him get back on his feet after the tackle in defense, which is imperative for slowing ozzy ball down.

PhatPiggins

rockman15 wrote: »

yeah rocky elsom is ****e! :rolleyes:

anyway...theres no harm in experimenting with our line up. however in my opinion, we're facing the best attacking team in the world this week. cooper was quiet last week because he was mashed early on, twice. we need to slow ball to him and smack him down hard. giteau was the ozzy force last week and whoever plays 12 is going to have their work cut out. personally i think d'arcy would be better as he can match giteau for speed all over the park. but he surpasses wallace when you watch him get back on his feet after the tackle in defense, which is imperative for slowing ozzy ball down.

His form is no where near what it was for Leinster though and bar Sharpe the rest of the forwards are raw or off form. Ireland can at least get parity in the forwards.

They're only the best attacking team on paper, they've yet to put it together over the course of a season. The Aussie backline should get there but they dont look like a unit yet.

Could be interesting or very depressing viewing next weekend