Ireland v Argentina build up thread

efb

It's only 5 days away!!!

Bridge93

I guess here it is!

Pudsy33

Think the mods were waiting on a Sexton and O'Brien update

Massive home support but a lot of injuries and potential citing of Sean O'Brien to make matters worse.

Hard to call, but have faith in Joe and the lads.

#doitforpaulie

wp_rathead

SOB will rightly out unfortunately
I'm thinking pack of :
McGrath / Best / Ross
Ryan / Toner
Henderson / Henry/ Heaslip

With Murphy and Ruddock on bench and Henderson to move into second row for Ryan for one of them

thebaz

given the circumstances, and the quality of Argentina, for once I'm quietly confident, think there will be a collective response, do it for Paulie, go to where no other Irish team has gone , massive game for Madigan I would think

Sexton's scan was clear so he may well be fit to play.

AudreyHepburn

Let's not be too negative, that's last things O'Connell and co would want from the fans. We have a great panel even without our biggest guns.

If Paulie can keep his chin up whilst lying in the dressing room in extreme pain then surely the rest of us can get behind our Boys In Green.

I too have great faith in Joe and the lads.

thebaz

Deleted User wrote: »

Sexton's scan was clear so he may well be fit to play.

yeah, some good news

efb

I'm so nervous, will be in Millennium Stadium Sunday afternoon roaring on Jamie and the lads to victory- hopefully!

aimee1

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Sexton's scan was clear so he may well be fit to play.

In the luke fitz golf master class video sexton was in the background and he was walking about. Not jumping like the others either but he looked to be moving ok.

#prayforjonny'sgroin

Bridge93

Slightly different atmosphere this week I'd imagine. While still dominated by green i would think there will be a large amount of Argentina fans as they would have almost certainly known this to be their quarter unlike ourselves. And they make an obscene amount of noise no matter how few there are.

going with SOB and Sexton out I'd go with

Healy
Best
Ross
Toner
Henderson
Murphy
Henry
Heaslip
Murray
Jackson
D. Kearney
Cave
Henshaw
Bowe
R. Kearney

Cronin
McGrath
White
Ryan
Ruddock
Reddan
Madigan
Zebo

Madigan played well (a bit indecisive at times) but I didn't see anything that would remove my doubts if about his ability when the pack is going backwards and against Argentina I could see that happening on occasion.
Earls has played every game and looked winded if he can be rested this is the way I'd do it.
Healy hasn't been on top form but he's a better starter then bench where as Mcgrath can really get to the pace of a game quickly.
Cronin for impact now henderson is starting

captbarnacles

Johnny Sexton expected to be passed fit at lunchtime today according to the mirror. Seems incredible after how he hobbled off but I'm not complaining.

Sanjuro

captbarnacles wrote: »

Johnny Sexton expected to be passed fit at lunchtime today according to the mirror. Seems incredible after how he hobbled off but I'm not complaining.

I would reckon there was a bit of precaution in that. He probably could have played on, but there was no sense in risking further injury that could have ruled him out for the quarters.

efb

Earls and Henshaw in Centre
Kearneys and Bowe back three

partyguinness

Let's not wallow in POC's demise- The King is dead- long live the King.

I am going to the game and I really do not want to be here next Monday listening to "Oh if only we had POC/POM/SOB/Sexton etc..." type lamenting. Let's get on with it- no excuses.

I suppose the one good thing is that at least POC/O'Mahony/SOB (99.9999% IMO) are defo out and the squad team have all week to prepare. At least the injuries didnt happen in the warm up!

What's our bench going to look like?

Argentina are well capable of hosting another absolute physical battle.

Which of Ruddock or McCarthy walks straight off the plane into the matchday 23?

total former

Deleted User wrote: »

Sexton's scan was clear so he may well be fit to play.

Think that's what they told us about Payne...

.ak

total former wrote: »

Think that's what they told us about Payne...

Staaaahp it

idnkph

I think Madigan is severely underestimated. This is a great squad we have and I honestly think we will beat the Argies with out having to go all out like the France match.

.ak

[Deleted User] wrote: »

What's our bench going to look like?

Argentina are well capable of hosting another absolute physical battle.

Which of Ruddock or McCarthy walks straight off the plane into the matchday 23?

Ruddock for me, but that depends on sob.

Healy
Best
Ross
Toner
Hendo
Murphy
Henry/sob
Heaslip
Murray
Jackson/Sexton
Dave Kearney
Henshaw
Fitz/Earls
Bowe
Kearney

Strauss/Cronin
McGrath
White
Ryan
Henry/Ruddock
Reddan
Madigan
Fitz/Zebo

gamma001

connemara man wrote: »

going with SOB and Sexton out I'd go with

Healy
Best
Ross
Toner
Henderson
Murphy
Henry
Heaslip
Murray
Jackson
D. Kearney
Cave
Henshaw
Bowe
R. Kearney

Cronin
McGrath
White
Ryan
Ruddock
Reddan
Madigan
Zebo

Madigan played well (a bit indecisive at times) but I didn't see anything that would remove my doubts if about his ability when the pack is going backwards and against Argentina I could see that happening on occasion.
Earls has played every game and looked winded if he can be rested this is the way I'd do it.
Healy hasn't been on top form but he's a better starter then bench where as Mcgrath can really get to the pace of a game quickly.
Cronin for impact now henderson is starting

JS should be fit, and anyway I would put my house on madigan now starting if he wasn't.

I'd agree on Healy starting. He wasn't bad on Sunday. Unjustly slatted.

I think Henderson will start at 6 with Ryan in the engine room with Toner. The pack is a lot stronger with Ryan on as opposed to Murphy and Murphy covers all the backrow from the bench which is what will be needed one SOB gets his one week ban (I don't think Henry can cover 6 or 8?). Also Joe planned to use Henderson at 6 on Sunday from the bench so he should be well prepped in that regard. That also means we will need Mcarthy on the bench as cover for 4 and 5.


I'd also agree with Cronin as opposed to Strauss benching although the difference is tiny.

vang

Paddy is an unreliable kicker and defensively weak. Can't see Joe picking him over Ian M.

part time punk

Deleted User wrote: »

Which of Ruddock or McCarthy walks straight off the plane into the matchday 23?

Ruddock as he's need more than McCarthy but it would be a big step up for him, well capable but hasn't payed very much recently. Still good for the last 30 minutes or so I reckon. Meaning a starting pack assuming SOB is out of:

Healy
Best
Ross
Toner
Henderson
Murphy
Henry
Heaslip (capt.)

Murray
Sexton (if fit)/Madigan
D Kearney
Henshaw
Earls (or Fitz if doubts over Earls and he's played every game)
Bowe
Kearney

Bench of:

McGrath
Cronin
White
Ryan
Murphy/Ruddock
Reddan
Madigan/Jackson
Fitz/Zebo

Celly Smunt

We may have lost a few players, but that front pack is still a bunch that other teams would envy. We may be a little bit weaker but we still have replacements that are very strong and at the top of their game.

With Sexton back, I'd put a 3-10 point win for Ireland. Without, reminiscent of the French game, close first half but eventually pulling forward after the 65th minute or so.

I'm confident, I'd rate France higher than the Puma's and there's no reason to be viewing ourselves as anything but the better team. Yes they're playing good rugby, but we can play better.

Magico Gonzalez

vang wrote: »

Paddy is an unreliable kicker and defensively weak. Can't see Joe picking him over Ian M.

He is neither of those to be honest, but I agree that Madigan played so well against France at 10 that it's not a decision the coach needs to think about.

partyguinness

TBH even if Sexton is declared fit and starts- I would be surprised if he makes it to half time.

I know he will be watched all week and will undergo a fitness test but there is simply no substitute for the heat of battle contact and rigor.

Chivito550

Celly Smunt wrote: »

We may have lost a few players, but that front pack is still a bunch that other teams would envy. We may be a little bit weaker but we still have replacements that are very strong and at the top of their game.

With Sexton back, I'd put a 3-10 point win for Ireland. Without, reminiscent of the French game, close first half but eventually pulling forward after the 65th minute or so.

I'm confident, I'd rate France higher than the Puma's and there's no reason to be viewing ourselves as anything but the better team. Yes they're playing good rugby, but we can play better.

Argentina thumped the Springboks in Durban only 2 months ago. I'd rate them higher than the French. We will need to be close to our best or else it could get very ropey.

Magico Gonzalez

I'm paying special attention to the Pumas as I'm over here, married to an Argentine.

They certainly fear Ireland, they feel they can win up front and feel that their back line has come along enough that they can hurt us out wide too. That said there is still a general nervousness about how they have conceded some silly tries and had some handling errors which they accept as the outcome of playing too expansively.

This is a different type of game for Argentina. They are either expected to roll over the group teams easily enough or get praise for losing to NZ. Against NZ they came out of the blocks quickly but questions still persist about their ability to maintain the intense concentration and focus needed to see this game home.

We need to put pressure on them, force errors, make them play out of their 22, ask questions of them defensively. I think we'll win this in the last 10 minutes. Not more than a score in it.

If not, I'm fcked and I'll never hear the end of it. As mentioned in the other thread this is the day after my 40th birthday too, so hangover + 9am local viewing time to contend with.

Magico Gonzalez

Chivito550 wrote: »

Argentina thumped the Springboks in Durban only 2 months ago. I'd rate them higher than the French. We will need to be close to our best or else it could get very ropey.

They didn't fair as well in the return leg. They have let the heads drop when they have gone behind in some of the Championship games. Certainly not a side to chase down a deficit. If we could get in at halftime with a decent lead (even through penalties kicked and being disciplined enough not to give them away!) I'd fancy us to close it out.

If we give them a sniff and they go in leading or having scored a try just before h/t then we're in for a very difficult time. Hate to stereotype, but I see it a lot here and not just in sport. Things going well? You'll get 200% effort and commitment, creativity and passion. Up against it? Not so good.

UnitedWeStand

This is doing the rounds on a few forums.

Celly Smunt

Chivito550 wrote: »

Argentina thumped the Springboks in Durban only 2 months ago. I'd rate them higher than the French. We will need to be close to our best or else it could get very ropey.

Japan thumped the boks three weeks ago, Scotland gave them a good go, we thumped the boks in the autumn. Results against this South African team is no great measure, its been done by many. I'd put France down to thump the Boks anywhere at the moment.

partyguinness

Magico Gonzalez wrote: »

He is neither of those to be honest, but I agree that Madigan played so well against France at 10 that it's not a decision the coach needs to think about.

I agree. Paddy Jackson would be come on at No.10 if the management felt he was better.

Chivito550

Magico Gonzalez wrote: »

They didn't fair as well in the return leg. They have let the heads drop when they have gone behind in some of the Championship games. Certainly not a side to chase down a deficit. If we could get in at halftime with a decent lead (even through penalties kicked and being disciplined enough not to give them away!) I'd fancy us to close it out.

If we give them a sniff and they go in leading or having scored a try just before h/t then we're in for a very difficult time. Hate to stereotype, but I see it a lot here and not just in sport. Things going well? You'll get 200% effort and commitment, creativity and passion. Up against it? Not so good.

Yeh pretty much spot on. And they haven't been tested really in the last 3 games. But any team that pushes the All Blacks to 10 points and leads for 60 odd minutes deserves the utmost respect. We don't want to see a repeat of 2011 where there was OTT hysteria at beating Australia and then we flopped out to Wales. The France win means nothing if we can't peat the Pumas.

chupacabra

UnitedWeStand wrote: »

This is doing the rounds on a few forums.

cringe

Magico Gonzalez

What Hourcade has being saying in the local press:

"Aunque Irlanda juega en el Hemisferio Norte, su forma de jugar es similar al de Hemisferio Sur. Tiene un juego muy dinámico, parecido al del Hemisferio Sur. Nos viene cómodo porque estamos acostumbrados"

- Even through Ireland play in the NH, the way the play is similar to the Southern H, they play dynamically like a SH team, it's comfortable for us as we are used to it (that style of play)

The local press talking about Ireland's motivation, all good, they like us:) :


"Con el triunfo, por su lado, Irlanda conseguirá un impacto que irá mucho más allá de su rugby y que tiene que ver con su orgullo, con su idiosincracia y, sobre todo, con la histórica rivalidad que tiene con todo lo que sea inglés. En definitiva, para los irlandeses ser semifinalistas en la casa de los ingleses resultará más grande que si San Patricio se levanta de su tumba, se toma una cerveza negra y convierte a este país al catolicismo con su famoso trébol y la Santísima Trinidad..."

- With a win, for their part, the impact (for Ireland) will extend beyond Rugby and have to do wit their pride, their idiosyncrasy and above all the historic rivalry which they have with everything English. Definitely, for the Irish, to be semi finalists in the home of the Engllish will be bigger than if St Patrick rises up from his tomb, drinks a pint of Guinness (black beer) and converts the (whole) country to Catholicism with his famous shamrock and the holy trinity.

"Los jugadores argentinos saben que hoy Irlanda es más que Francia y, por eso, la mayoría prefería al equipo de Saint-André como rival"

- The Argentine players know that today ireland are better than France, and for that reason most would have preferred St Andre's team as their opponent

"los dirigidos por el neocelandés Joe Schmidt respetan muchísimo a Creevy y compañía porque saben que del otro lado habrá algo que no se negociará jamás: la pasión. En ese factor vital del rugby, en el que Irlanda siempre encuentra un punto a favor por la manera en la que sus hombres defienden el verde de su camiseta, habrá una gran equivalencia. Los irlandeses ya están avisados.."

- "Those led by the NZér JS have a lot of respect for Creevy and co because they know that on the other side of the pitch there will be something they have never surpassed (or encountered) , Passion. In this vital factor rugby, which Ireland always find an advantage through the way their men defend the green shirt, they find a find a great equal (they will find great equivalence). The Irish have been warned...."

I'll post up more in the coming days if i come across anything worth reading. Anyway, they think we are the most SH of the NH teams, so they are ready for us and willing to put it up to us.

wp_rathead

UnitedWeStand wrote: »

This is doing the rounds on a few forums.

Jaysus he didn't die lads

Tefral

wp_rathead wrote: »

Jaysus he didn't die lads

Might aswell have. Not the befitting end for such a career, couple that with the fact he seemed like a down to earth guy, most people would feel sad he didn't get to be on the pitch walking off into the sunset the way he probably should have.

Magico Gonzalez

cronin_j wrote: »

Might aswell have. Not the befitting end for such a career, couple that with the fact he seemed like a down to earth guy, most people would feel sad he didn't get to be on the pitch walking off into the sunset the way he probably should have.

Ah come on, if his last game was contributing to a win against France, setting up a wc qf it's not so bad ! Not like it was a meaningless friendly.

ken76

Sexton gets all clear it seems https://www.ultimaterugby.com/news/sexton-given-all-clear/353339

lbj666

Chivito550 wrote: »

Yeh pretty much spot on. And they haven't been tested really in the last 3 games. But any team that pushes the All Blacks to 10 points and leads for 60 odd minutes deserves the utmost respect. We don't want to see a repeat of 2011 where there was OTT hysteria at beating Australia and then we flopped out to Wales. The France win means nothing if we can't peat the Pumas.

I totally agree , the similarity between this and that Wales match in is uncanny.

Some people thought Ireland had to show up last time, totally failing to see that Wales were playing better and more varied rugby that us and should have beaten South Africa , while Ireland did a tacktical scrummaging job on the Aussies and whooped on Italy team that had a door mat defending midfield. We had one trick in Ferris and SO'B.

The reasoning most people could give after was Ireland bottled it, when in truth they werent as good as that Aussie game suggested

Again i am surrounded by dopes who never saw the Argie All Blacks game or any other minute they have played and don't realise that they beat South Africa away this year. Generally the attitude has been "ah ya its Argentina sure we usually beat them, well except that time in ....., sure who's still playing for them ? "

I have already heard one person say Sexton should be rested for the semi final.

Its gonna be a long week.

walshb

What a weekend of matches. For me the closest one is probabaly Ireland-Argentina. Very tough match for us. Need to be close to top form to win this.

walshb

walshb wrote: »

What a weekend of matches. For me the closest one is probabaly Ireland-Argentina. Very tough match for us. Need to be close to top form to win this.

We need to be at top form in my opinion.

As for results. Australia should hammer Scotland, can only home that Scotland really front up physically so Australia know they've had a game.

I think NZ will blow France away, I actually think that could be a 20+ loss for France.

Wales V South Africa is tough to call. Wales are better coached (dare I say it) and probably have a little more hunger and dog. However they have virtually no back line left and nothing to talk about on the bench. South Africa should close out the game in the last 15.

Ireland V Argentina is 50:50 in my opinion. If through some miracle we have SOB this weekend and he puts in another performance like last week it might shift a little in our favour.

PTH2009

Argentina remind of Italy where they are big brushers and love playing Ireland in world cups. If we get on top early with a few trys than anything can happen.

Going to be a long week . The Euro 2016 playoff draw is on Sunday morning so it could start a downer for us that day if we draw a big team like turkey, Holland, Croatia etc

Do it for paulie/Peter and seanie

metrosity

Deleted User wrote: »

We need to be at top form in my opinion.

As for results. Australia should hammer Scotland, can only home that Scotland really front up physically so Australia know they've had a game.

I think NZ will blow France away, I actually think that could be a 20+ loss for France.

Wales V South Africa is tough to call. Wales are better coached (dare I say it) and probably have a little more hunger and dog. However they have virtually no back line left and nothing to talk about on the bench. South Africa should close out the game in the last 15.

Ireland V Argentina is 50:50 in my opinion. If through some miracle we have SOB this weekend and he puts in another performance like last week it might shift a little in our favour.

I like SOB, but to be fair he is a liability in critical situations. It might be better he got cited now where we got some good value from him to set us up for the knockouts but at least he can't get sent off vs. Argentina, and have to play them with 14 men for 60 minutes...

metrosity

metrosity wrote: »

I like SOB, but to be fair he is a liability in critical situations. It might be better he got cited now where we got some good value from him to set us up for the knockouts but at least he can't get sent off vs. Argentina, and have to play them with 14 men for 60 minutes...

Absolutely. I mean I can count on no hands the amount of times he's done anything that's cost us a game.

iroced

What's your record against Argentina?


About Sexton, I'd not rush him back. I found Madigan was excellent against us anyway. I can only recall one mistake from him when he directly kicked a ball into touch. For everything else, he stepped up to the task and dealt very well with the pressure for his kicks.

Pudsy33

iroced wrote: »

What's your record against Argentina?


About Sexton, I'd not rush him back. I found Madigan was excellent against us anyway. I can only recall one mistake from him when he directly kicked a ball into touch. For everything else, he stepped up to the task and dealt very well with the pressure for his kicks.

Our record against them is awful in world cups, but fairly good generally.

Magico Gonzalez

PTH2009 wrote: »

Argentina remind of Italy where they are big brushers and love playing Ireland in world cups. If we get on top early with a few trys than anything can happen.

Argentina have a lot more going on in the back line than Italy, there isn't a player from the 9 to 15 that would play in the Argentine team in Italy. Not even Luke Mclean for me. They are really playing 15 man rugby right now, that's the benefit of playing in the championship and not as also rans in the 6n.

ken76

iroced wrote: »

What's your record against Argentina?


About Sexton, I'd not rush him back. I found Madigan was excellent against us anyway. I can only recall one mistake from him when he directly kicked a ball into touch. For everything else, he stepped up to the task and dealt very well with the pressure for his kicks.

played 3 lost 2