Los Puma-Ireland, Second Test preview and match thread

Losty Dublin

Estadio José Fierro, Tucumán. Live on SS1, KO 7:40PM

Saturday sees the final day of a short yet productive Irish rugby tour to Argentina. Last weeks game was perhaps a little less potent than we may have expected; nethetheless it provided more positives than it did negatives albeit subtle positives and glaring negatives.

For Ireland, the pack had a good game in general though it was not vintage by any means. Diack and Ruddock showed a lot of promise in the back row, the Leinster flanker being rewarded with a start at blindside alongside veteran Heaslip and Ulster's Chris Henry. Munsters Dave Kilcoyne gets a deserved start at loosehead while Devin Toner is recalled to the engine alongside POC.

The back line sees changes, as much to allow everybody game time as for changes sake. Zebo and Trimble are retained on the wing after indifferent games, Rob Kearney coming in at full back. McFadden starts at outside centre while Madigan again bench warns after Sexton shook off some stiffness from last weeks game.

Benchwise, Marmion misses out in lie of Murray; uncapped Rob Herring and James Cronin cover the front row while Leinsters Noel Reid is also in line for a debut in the 3/4 line at some stage of the game.

The home team ring in two enforced changes; Macome suffered a broken arm and is replaced by Antonio de Chazall at No 8 while Amorisino comes in at three quarter. A few changes to the bench aside, it's the same mainly domestic based squad as they fielded last week as they rest a lot of their first choice players ahead of the forthcoming international series.

As to the game itself, Ireland backfired somewhat in the backline with Trimble and Zebo having average games in attack and worse in defence. Kearney will stabilise the full back line as well as giving added counter attacking options while McFadden will be looking to impress after his solid appearance late in the game. The pack fared well in the tight last week and were better in the loose as the game went on though they struggled at times with the Puma's ruck game. Ruddock and Heaslip are adept at dealing with this so we can expect more tunrover and scrum ball this time and resultant open back lines and set piece.

Last weeks pitch was Subbeteo sized; this week the backs should offer a little more room to play with, thus aiding the kickers. As with last week, we can expect Irish mauling to be game plan while Los Pumas will kick for position and territory. Will they run the ball as much this time; that remains to be a question worth answering. My prediction is for an Irish win by about 20 points, last weeks score flattered the home team via a soft try at the death and I can't see it coming that close again.



15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 54
14. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 56
13. Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 27
12. Darren Cave (Belfast Harlequins/Ulster) 6
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 7
10. Jonathan Sexton (Racing Metro 92) 44
9. Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 54
1. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 9
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 76
3. Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster) 40
4. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 16
5. Paul O'Connell (Young Munster/Munster) 93 (capt)
6. Rhys Ruddock (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 2
7. Chris Henry (Malone/Ulster) 15
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 66

Replacements:

16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) *
17. James Cronin (Dolphin/Munster) *
18. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 9
19. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 11
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 3
21. Kieran Marmion (Galway Corinthians/Connacht) 1
22. Ian Madigan (Blackrock College/Leinster) 9
23. Noel Reid (Clontarf/Leinster) *

15. Joaquin Tuculet (Unattached) 9
14. Lucas González Amorosino (Oyonnax) 31
13. Jerónimo de la Fuente (Duendes RC) 3
12. Gabriel Ascarate (Natación y Gimnasia) 13
11. Manuel Montero (Pucará) 11
10. Nicolás Sánchez (Bordeaux-Bègles) 19
9. Martín Landajo (CASI) 29 (capt)
1. Lucas Noguera Paz (Lince RC) 3
2. Matías Cortese (Liceo RC) 6
3. Ramiro Herrera (Castres Olympique) 1
4. Manuel Carizza (Stormers) 41
5. Tomas Lavanini (Hindú Club) 6
6. Rodrigo Baez (Liceo RC) 9
7. Tomás de la Vega (CUBA) 10
8. Antonio Ahualli de Chazal (SIC) 2

Replacements:

16. Santiago Iglesias Valdez (Universitario) 6
17. Bruno Postiglioni (La Plata RC) 11
18. Matías Díaz (Highlanders) 6
19. Matías Alemanno (La Tablada) 3
20. Javier Ortega Desio (Estudiantes de Paraná) 6
21. Tomás Cubelli (Belgrano Athletic) 23
22. Santiago González Iglesias (Asociación Alumni) 5
23. Matias Orlando (Huirapuca) 7

Tomorrow's referee is Pascal Gauzere, France. This is his 13th test.
* Denotes uncapped player

Taco Corp

Noel Reid is proof that one bad game does not define a player. Fair play to him. hell of an end to the season

CIARAN_BOYLE

Captain_Hindsight wrote: »

Noel Reid is proof that one bad game does not define a player. Fair play to him. hell of an end to the season

I dunno I think it defined him positionally and put to rest the idea that he was a 10.

19543261

go ireland

CatFromHue

I remember a few years ago watching a documentary on the All Blacks and at that time they were the International team that spent, by far, the most amount of time together.

So yeah there's not that much experimentation on this tour but equally our core squad is getting a good work out together and it's our core squad which will be the one that wins us things.

Kilcoyne is being run out with the first choice front 5, Ruddock with the first choice back row, and Cave, Zebo, McFadden with the first choice backline. These guys will learn more, far more really, in playing in this team than they would in playing with an inexperienced Ireland team......just in case anyone asked :P

bilston

I thought POC won his 100th cap last weekend. Or was that including Lions caps?

S12b

bilston wrote: »

I thought POC won his 100th cap last weekend. Or was that including Lions caps?

ya 93 for Irl and 7 lions i think

Fireball07

I honestly don't understand why we've gone for McFadden 13, Cave 12 rather than visa versa.

19543261

What happened to Cordero?

Losty Dublin

19543261 wrote: »

What happened to Cordero?

The Puma squad for the tests also played in the CONSUR cup. To some extent it is their A squad/Possibles so there will be some rotation going on; this is probably why he wasn't selected for today's game.

Paul Smeenus

Date Kilcoyne has one and a half times the caps Darren Cave has. Cave really does deserve more of a crack at the 13 jersey.

19543261

Losty Dublin wrote: »

The Puma squad for the tests also played in the CONSUR cup. To some extent it is their A squad/Possibles so there will be some rotation going on; this is probably why he wasn't selected for today's game.

Looking forward to seeing Montero again.

...Really should make more of an effort to remember these Argentinian names

wp_rathead

Murray out with dead leg - Marmion onto Irish bench

umop.episdn

wprathead wrote: »

Murray out with dead leg - Marmion onto Irish bench

It's an ill wind as they say

dregin

Just realised this clashes with football. Any recommendations for pubs showing it in Dublin that aren't massive super pubs like murrays or the woolshed.

wp_rathead

dregin wrote: »

Just realised this clashes with football. Any recommendations for pubs showing it in Dublin that aren't massive super pubs like murrays or the woolshed.

It only clashes with Uruguay vs Costa Rica so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a pub showing it..

Piliger

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Live on SS1, KO 7:40PM

SkySports 2 according to my TVGuide.

vienne86

wprathead wrote: »

Murray out with dead leg - Marmion onto Irish bench

Hard luck on Murray, but I'm delighted for Marmion.Great chance for him.

Father Bigley

McGrath at tighthead is extremely interesting. If he could get to a stage where he can lock out a scrum at international level his long-term future could be there.

That is a big if though. But it would be absolutely fantastic for Ireland and Leinster if we had a tighthead who could contribute so much in the loose. It would almost be like having an extra player.

ThisRegard

wprathead wrote: »

It only clashes with Uruguay vs Costa Rica so you shouldn't have too much trouble finding a pub showing it..

I like your optmism.!

That pitch looks small to me?

Fair play, a good rendition of Ireland's Call!

Los Pumas have their own John Hayes!

awec

Is the commentary in spanish for everyone?

CIARAN_BOYLE

Father Bigley wrote: »

McGrath at tighthead is extremely interesting. If he could get to a stage where he can lock out a scrum at international level his long-term future could be there.

That is a big if though. But it would be absolutely fantastic for Ireland and Leinster if we had a tighthead who could contribute so much in the loose. It would almost be like having an extra player.

I don't think much of McGrath at th, think ahyou is injured and there was only two dedicated ths in the squad.

kenmc

dregin wrote: »

Just realised this clashes with football. Any recommendations for pubs showing it in Dublin that aren't massive super pubs like murrays or the woolshed.

bull and castle are showing it

ThisRegard

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Fair play, a good rendition of Ireland's Call!

I thought that was just me.

I hope they get the pitch sound sorted, never feels right without it.

Edit, ah, there it is.

BOHSBOHS

i dont think there are enough sponsor ads on the pitch !

awec

A yellow already.

Taco Corp

what was that for?

Edit: Robson explained it.

matthew8

It's looking a lot more straight forward this week. About to go 6-0 up and Arg a man down. That said Arg have seen none of the ball so we don't know how the defense is today.

ThisRegard

That's an early binning.

P_1

Chop tackle for the yellow I think?

Piliger

Good to see action against these dangerous 'chop' tackles.

awec

P_1 wrote: »

Chop tackle for the yellow I think?

Yea no arms.

Lightbulb Sun

Is this a first choice Argentina side?

ScrubsfanChris

Had it in my head this was starting at 8:00 :mad:

Lucky I came by here for a look....

Piliger

Surely that Argie came in from the side ??

umop.episdn

Lightbulb Sun wrote: »

Is this a first choice Argentina side?

No, not even close

ScrubsfanChris

Lightbulb Sun wrote: »

Is this a first choice Argentina side?

A few being saved for the Rugby Championship in a few weeks

Anatidaephobia

Bad mistake from McFadden there. Should have dived on it.

ThisRegard

No messing with this ref.

Tox56

Fecking summer tour games, dominate the match and a few dodgy bounces and we're all the way down the other end

awec

How can you mistake Kearney and Trimble?

Anyway, Trimble will be going to the bin.

andymx11

awec wrote: »

How can you mistake Kearney and Trimble?

Anyway, Trimble will be going to the bin.

What happened?

its_phil

Truly awful by McFadden. Get down on it

eigrod

Thought there was an Argentine knock on first there when the 2 players went to ground.

Burgo

andymx11 wrote: »

What happened?

Tackle off the ball.

matthew8

Now he thinks it's McFadden!

awec

andymx11 wrote: »

What happened?

Trimble tackled too early before the man had the ball and stopped a potential try.

Tox56

Been a pretty crap tour for Trimble so far