Best Irish Player in the Group Stages?

RoryMc23

I really can't decide between Healy or O'Brien. I think Healy might edge it though...

copacetic

Ross and Ferris up there as well.

Fireball07

1. Ferris
2. Healy
3. O'Brien
4. Best
5. Ross

thomond2006

Sexton

GerM

Healy for me. Outstanding. Big plays in every game. Aside from some grappling with Castro, his scrummaging has been superb. Also showed more variety to his game than SOB. Sure, SOB can run through players and score tries, breaking the line but can he send a 50m spiral down the pitch?

(I hope someone took Healy aside and gave him a clip around the ear for it afterward A prop kicking...he should be ashamed!)

phog

In a team sport I hate thing like MOTM awards and most important players but I suppose looking that the games so far O’Brien would have to stand out a one of the superb players though Ferris and Ross must be in contention too.

The top Irish players so far for:

• Most Points (39) ROG
• Most Tries (4) Earls
• Most Runs (45) O’Brien
• Most Tackles (25) O’Brien
• Most won Lineouts won (13) Heaslip

ktulu123

Stole this off a mate on Facebox, think it sums up the answer nicely.

The sequel to 300 is currently being filmed starring Sean O'Brien. It is called 1

d'Oracle

Before Chuck Norris goes to sleep, he checks under the bed for Sean O'Brien.

ktulu123

On a serious note I really think we have nearly the best pack in the competition atm. In the two big games we've had 1-8 have been unreal.

RoryMc23

Yeah the NZ media are giving Sean O'Brien a lot of praise.

But I really don't think its too far off saying that on his current form Cian Healy must be one of the best looseheads in the world cup right now?

d'Oracle

phog wrote: »

[*]Most won Lineouts won (13) Heaslip

Quoted for significance.

funky penguin

thomond2006 wrote: »

Sexton

LIES! Clearly it was ROG!!

mr_edge_to_you

When Sean O'Brien goes to bed he wears Stephen Ferris pyjamas!

d'Oracle

ktulu123 wrote: »

On a serious note I really think we have nearly the best pack in the competition atm. In the two big games we've had 1-8 have been unreal.

WOAH.

Big claim there buddy.
South Africa are still there.

GerM

GerM wrote: »

Healy for me. Outstanding. Big plays in every game. Aside from some grappling with Castro, his scrummaging has been superb. Also showed more variety to his game than SOB. Sure, SOB can run through players and score tries, breaking the line but can he send a 50m spiral down the pitch?

(I hope someone took Healy aside and gave him a clip around the ear for it afterward A prop kicking...he should be ashamed!)

SOB cleared the penalty that hit the post into touch...

ktulu123

d'Oracle wrote: »

WOAH.

Big claim there buddy.
South Africa are still there.

That's why i snook in a little 'nearly' in the middle of it! ha! But yeah i'd say its between us and SA for best pack.

phog

d'Oracle wrote: »

Quoted for significance.

Just wanted to get his name on the thread If you dont think it's relevant then just ignore it.

d'Oracle

Also, folks, SOB on Genia a couple of weeks back.
Lest we forget.

the immortals

sob, no doubt

d'Oracle

d'Oracle wrote: »

Also, folks, SOB Ferris on Genia a couple of weeks back.
Lest we forget.

:pac:

d'Oracle

Deleted User wrote: »

:pac:

Ferris on Genia was just a big fecker picking up a small fecker and running with him.
It was good.

But you don't see people catch Genia on a break like that.
Game saving tackle.

copacetic

Deleted User wrote: »

SOB cleared the penalty that hit the post into touch...

And he was putting his scrum cap back on at the same time!

Monty Burnz

I have to say, Best has really shut me up WRT his line-out throwing. He's been excellent all around the park. What a ridiculous situation that it looks like we'll lose two first class hookers.

jd007

Monty Burnz wrote: »

I have to say, Best has really shut me up WRT his line-out throwing. He's been excellent all around the park.

Same here, also same goes for the Darcy. I thought he was finished during the warm up games but hes found another gear somewhere.

MungBean

Like to see a poll on this.

Personally SOB no doubt is the stand out Irish player so far. Followed closely by Ferris and then Healy.

cgpg5

Sob in my view. Interesting though he'll be up against the other best 7 of the competition so far Sam Warburton, twill be intriguing.

RoryMc23

Could a mod put up a poll?

Healy
Best
Ross
O'Brien
Ferris

look to be the forerunners

stewie01

the pack. O'Connell has been immense

scriba

Ferris by a nose from O'Brien I think, his aggression and power has been the benchmark for the rest of the Irish pack. Amazing considering his long layoff. But special mention must go to the fitness and effort of our props, lasting 70+ minutes. Very impressive.

Cypher_sounds

O Gara would be a contender for me but its close between Ferris, Best, O'Brien, and Healy. I'd go with the Tullow Tank.

twinytwo

Has to be ferris, to come back after so long and still be as awesome as he is. The man is superhuman, everywhere and nowhere:D. Hits like a tank and moves likes a ninja. id be proud to where ferris pj's all the time,


... sums it up really.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Using-Will-Genia-as-a-teddy-bear-because-youre-Stephen-****ing-Ferris/239113509472715

padser

Cypher_sounds wrote: »

O Gara would be a contender for me but its close between Ferris, Best, O'Brien, and Healy. I'd go with the Tullow Tank.

Surprised there is not more mention of Ross - scrum revolves around him!

markc1184

Healy for me. He's had a phenomonal tournament so far! Although O'Brien and Ferris are not far behind him!

Conas

I don't think any one player has been better than the other, and I'm being honest here. Every player has done a fantastic job so far. It's all about the team and not the individual. Threads like this are very premature. The best player in the group stage? Every player!!! End of story.

jprender

Buckley.

Simply Awesome.

Cpt_Blackbeard

I'd say Ferris. To come back from injury like he has is incredible. The IRFU should make sure that he is wrapped in cotton wool up in Ulster - even if they have to allow Ulster an extra NIQ spot to cover the games where he is out.

Along with POC, he is the only player in the squad I would have absolutely no qualms about calling world-class.

I think the Best, DOC, D'Arcy and Ryan (His last 2 outings should have imo.) have proved their doubters wrong too.

danthefan

SOB, Ferris and Healy. Not sure I can pick between the three.

michelledoh

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

I'd say Ferris. To come back from injury like he has is incredible. The IRFU should make sure that he is wrapped in cotton wool up in Ulster - even if they have to allow Ulster an extra NIQ spot to cover the games where he is out.

Along with POC, he is the only player in the squad I would have absolutely no qualms about calling world-class.

I think the Best, DOC, D'Arcy and Ryan (His last 2 outings should have imo.) have proved their doubters wrong too.

What about SOB and Healy, why didn't you mention them?
The world class thing is simply bizzare.

badabing106

Was Sean O Brien born in NZ ? Is that why he is so good?, He has got a very NZ sounding accent like Sean Fitzpatrick

RoryMc23

My brother says that New Zealand sports shows are saying that Sean O'Brien has been the best performer in the world cup so far!

leftism

Ferris and O'Brien for me but i couldn't even begin to seperate the two. "Whats the difference between genius and most genius?".

Whatever about the worlds best pack debate, without question we have the best back row in world rugby at the moment! Heaslip had a stormer of a game today IMO... Great to see the three of them playing so well!

Bromium

Has to be SOB so far Ferris is playing immense and putting in a lot of big hits and carries but SOB is getting through a lot of the not so glamorous work too.

Hagz

I'd be extremely surprised if O'Brien wasn't the favorite for irb player of the year. Who else would be run him close for it?

GerM

Have to say, ERC Player of the Year, having a storming WC and all round class act over the past season...SOB must be a very close to getting a nomination for IRB POTY.

EDIT: Damn you, Hagz! Beat me to it...

Quint2010

padser wrote: »

Surprised there is not more mention of Ross - scrum revolves around him!

I think alot of the teams confidence stems from the fact the we now have a scrum that can not only win our own ball but also attack the oppositions. And thats largely down to Ross.

Dangerous Man

ktulu123 wrote: »

Stole this off a mate on Facebox, think it sums up the answer nicely.

The sequel to 300 is currently being filmed starring Sean O'Brien. It is called 1

That's brilliant. :D:D

astonaidan

Id go with Donnacha, Ferris or Sean O'Brien, Probably 1-3 in the reverse order typed

padser

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

Along with POC, he is the only player in the squad I would have absolutely no qualms about calling world-class.

.

What's your definition for World Class?

-Bod has twice been nominated for irb player of the year and has captained the lions
-Healsip has a nomination for irb player of the year
- SoB has won ERC player of the year (and MoM awards in 3 different positions in 9 HC games) and is being talked about outside of Ireland as being the player of the tournament so far while playing in his 3rd choice position.

How could you have any qualms about calling these players world class???

(realise I just chose three Leinster players but I felt I could make the strongest unbiased argument for them based on things they have been awarded etc)

Zuffer

Impossible to single out one or even a few players. It's a team game, and Ireland have been an outstanding 1-15 unit in the last three games.

For example, the scrum has been key to the team's success, and Ross, Best and Healy can take a huge amount of credit for that. But also contributing is the fact that the 8 have been scrumaging as a unit - no more flankers hanging on with one hand and not pushing.