Summer tour.

TomsOnTheRoof

http://www.allblacks.com/news/18432/Is-Irish-Euro-dominance-pointing-to-historic-All-Blacks-scalp

I know it's far too early yet to even consider the summer tour but I was wondering what your opinions are on Irelands chance of getting a win. A lot of kiwi fans would seem less than hopefull of our chances (See comments in link) but is a win really that much beyond us?

Gracelessly Tom

Ah jaysus!! We're on the eve of the 6 nations and have 3 Irish teams to cheer on in the H Cup 1/4's and beyond before we need to worry about the summer tour!!!

Way to far off to worry about or even think about, a lot of rugby to be played in the meantime.

CIARAN_BOYLE

TomsOnTheRoof wrote: »

http://www.allblacks.com/news/18432/Is-Irish-Euro-dominance-pointing-to-historic-All-Blacks-scalp

I know it's far too early yet to even consider the summer tour but I was wondering what your opinions are on Irelands chance of getting a win. A lot of kiwi fans would seem less than hopefull of our chances (See comments in link) but is a win really that much beyond us?

Far to early but this is the fourth or fifth thread on the topic already, I'd say we can catch them off guard and win a match especially since its the first few matches with the new coach, surely there will be some level of experimentation and trying new things.

Tox56

TomsOnTheRoof wrote: »

http://www.allblacks.com/news/18432/Is-Irish-Euro-dominance-pointing-to-historic-All-Blacks-scalp

I know it's far too early yet to even consider the summer tour but I was wondering what your opinions are on Irelands chance of getting a win. A lot of kiwi fans would seem less than hopefull of our chances (See comments in link) but is a win really that much beyond us?

Judging from the comments, they are completely ignorant to NH rugby, don't know much about rugby in general, and are incredibly one-eyed. I wouldn't worry too much what they think.

its_phil

They are clearly watching English rugby if they are saying it is boring stuff

Conas

I don't think they are ignorant towards the NH teams like they were. They showed massive respect towards us during the World Cup, and even cheered for us during the Australia match. So many Irish players became big stars down under POC, SOB, Ferris and Healy. One time ago they used to only know BOD, but that has changed now, the Australia win has gained us a lot of repect down under, and I know it, because I've a lot of friends who are living there now, and were there all the way through the World Cup.

With regards to the summer tour, I think if we have a fully fit team, playing to our full potential, I think this summer could be our best chance of beating the All Blacks.

Reloc8

There's certainly a chance there - historically we tend to get very close to them in the first test of a summer tour. Whether we come out of the six nations with a reasonably complete squad would be the first issue I think.

We'll play the AB's with the mindset and gameplan of a team that's trying to stay in the hunt, and possibly sneak a lucky win if possible, not the gameplan of a team that's out to play to it's full capability. That's how we play almost all our games against big opposition.

It won't be good enough.

I hate being this cynical about Irish rugby, but unfortunately them's the breaks.

Neil3030

Deleted User wrote: »

We'll play the AB's with the mindset and gameplan of a team that's trying to stay in the hunt, and possibly sneak a lucky win if possible, not the gameplan of a team that's out to play to it's full capability. That's how we play almost all our games against big opposition.

It won't be good enough.

I hate being this cynical about Irish rugby, but unfortunately them's the breaks.

I wouldn't say you are cynical. You are describing a real phenomenon; a dispiriting approach, which has for too long held our national side back from fulfilling it's potential.

In 2008, Munster played the All-Blacks with belief and a gameplan set around winning the game and came closer to beating them than the national side ever has. I would wager that the current Leinster team would likewise run the All-Blacks far closer than Ireland could, again because they will go into the game with belief and a gameplan to win.

/my2cents

twinytwo

Deleted User wrote: »

We'll play the AB's with the mindset and gameplan of a team that's trying to stay in the hunt, and possibly sneak a lucky win if possible, not the gameplan of a team that's out to play to it's full capability. That's how we play almost all our games against big opposition.

It won't be good enough.

I hate being this cynical about Irish rugby, but unfortunately them's the breaks.

As we all know, the chances are we wont win because they abs get away with way too much... richie could kill someone on a pitch and the refs would refuse to see it...

irishbucsfan

twinytwo wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

We'll play the AB's with the mindset and gameplan of a team that's trying to stay in the hunt, and possibly sneak a lucky win if possible, not the gameplan of a team that's out to play to it's full capability. That's how we play almost all our games against big opposition.

It won't be good enough.

I hate being this cynical about Irish rugby, but unfortunately them's the breaks.

As we all know, the chances are we wont win because they abs get away with way too much... richie could kill someone on a pitch and the refs would refuse to see it...

A lot of people would consider us to be quite similar in that regard though to be fair

CatFromHue

It's very hard to know what will happen in NZ in June. We've no idea what type of shape they'll be in for a start. If you take it the last time we went down there the previous season they'd be poor yet they'd transformed themselves into strong favourites for the RWC.

We've no idea what we'll be like either. We do have a changed coaching ticket which will have an effect. There is a lot of doom and gloom on this thread, some of it deserved, remember last season though where finished very strongly. There is room to be optimistic you know.

finbarrk

Nice to be thinking about it I suppose. But the next 2 months are where it's at. It would be great to be going there with a championship won!

CatFromHue

This tour is a tourist's dream I have to say. Consecutive weeks in Auckland, Christchurch, and Hamilton give anyone thinking of going plenty of things to do.

As seen from the RWC there could also be a very strong Irish crowd at these games. I certainly can't see the games selling out by the Kiwis alone anyway so The Fields may be ringing out down south once more.

yogimotorsport

Any one know of the best site to buy tickets for these games?

GerM

We won't win a game and it's a crying shame because it will be possibly be our best chance ever to win down there. We've three shots at it. NZ are going to be playing their first games under a brand new coaching team (brand new in terms of their roles anyway) and have seen a number of players retire or depart their shores since the WC. They'll be trying out new combinations against a side they see as inferior and blooding some new players into the set up too I'm sure.

However, I fully expect us to go down there and flog the same XV for three weeks after a long season. If we gave 5 or 6 players a rest, providing the young coming players an opportunity we could have a real go at beating NZ. I can see the same pack starting almost all the games. We should use a game to give Toner, Cronin, Tuohy and POM a look. We should freshen things up in the back line and utilise all of Fitz, Trimble, Bowe, McFadden and Earls. Potentially try Fitz in a different position.

Can't see it happening though. I can see us throwing the kitchen sink at them and giving them a rattle in the first game. A tired team losing to a more experimental side in the second game and a shattered side losing to what Hansen will see as his Tri-Nations side in the final fixture. NZ will freshen up their side with the likes of SBW, Cowan, Williams, Vito, Toeava, Thompson all getting game time against us plus one or two players that step up in the S15. We'll change our halfbacks and maybe a winger.

CatFromHue

The Crusaders are looking to get a game during the June international break in the Super XV.

The whole idea of the new three test June series from the IRB was that touring teams would bring larger squads and so play one or two midweek games.

I can't see them lasting beyond what is currently scheduled if teams only play the 3 test matches.

---

The Crusaders want to organise a game against another New Zealand franchise to maintain momentum during the three-week Super 15 competition break.

Players and coaches agree the gap will be "challenging" – for both the All Blacks required to go from Super 15 to test rugby and back to Super 15 non-All Blacks, who will still require match-play. The Crusaders will play the Highlanders in Christchurch on June 1, but then wait until June 29for the Hurricanes.

Coach Todd Blackadder said yesterday he was trying to organise a game "for the middle week in the June test window" to keep the non-All Blacks ticking over.

The aim was to give the non-All Blacks game-time "and get them up to speed so we can best plan for when the All Blacks return," Blackadder said. "If [the All Blacks] pick up any injuries or niggles or if they're just really tired, we've had some [preparation] for the players who will be available for that next game."

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/6321547/Crusaders-seek-game-during-Super-Rugby-break