Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread VII

Zzippy

Last thread getting a bit full for the servers. Ireland team talk continues here. Check the charter if in doubt whether you should post something!

Felix Jones is God

Zebo-time!!!

Bazzo

I'll start us off. Has anyone got any strong opinions on the Kearney brothers?

Felix Jones is God

Felix Jones is God wrote: »

Zebo-time!!!

As a long time detractor of Zebo, I've been really impressed by him this season.

He's obviously tried to be the player Joe is looking for, but he now appears to be just that. Scoring well and alert but his physicality is at a new level and his tackle, choke and spin on ISA in the Leinster Munster match is a good example.

He has really rounded his game and isn't reliant on the "x-factor" notion anymore.

Hope he has a huge season.

The Rape of Lucretia

Deleted User wrote: »

He has really rounded his game and isn't reliant on the "x-factor" notion anymore.

Fecking X factor. Ive had it up to here with Zeebs and his x factor.

X factor is shorthand for neither his coach or his team mates knowing if he is going to stick to the script when they give him the ball, or whether he will go off script and land them all in the doo doo trying to tidy up his mess. Honestly, you over run one pass against Wales and fling your ankle in desperation, and people think x factor is the bees knees. X factor was great when he was 15. As an adult pro rugby player its just a nonsense.

Please, enough with the x factor and he could be a decent club level player.

Felix Jones is God

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Fecking X factor. Ive had it up to here with Zeebs and his x factor.

X factor is shorthand for neither his coach or his team mates knowing if he is going to stick to the script when they give him the ball, or whether he will go off script and land them all in the doo doo trying to tidy up his mess. Honestly, you over run one pass against Wales and fling your ankle in desperation, and people think x factor is the bees knees. X factor was great when he was 15. As an adult pro rugby player its just a nonsense.

Please, enough with the x factor and he could be a decent club level player.

Or the greatest international since Ringrose!

coco0981

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Fecking X factor. Ive had it up to here with Zeebs and his x factor.

X factor is shorthand for neither his coach or his team mates knowing if he is going to stick to the script when they give him the ball, or whether he will go off script and land them all in the doo doo trying to tidy up his mess. Honestly, you over run one pass against Wales and fling your ankle in desperation, and people think x factor is the bees knees. X factor was great when he was 15. As an adult pro rugby player its just a nonsense.

Please, enough with the x factor and he could be a decent club level player.

Whatever about zebo, x factor is most definitely a quality we need in players. O Driscoll had it and we need more of it

RoundBox11

Rob Kearney > TOH

Discuss

andymx11

A good 60% of sextons interview taken up talking about his relationship with ROG 6 years ago ugh!

coco1981

coco1981 wrote: »

Whatever about zebo, x factor is most definitely a quality we need in players. O Driscoll had it and we need more of it

O'Driscoll didn't have X-Factor, he had skill (x-factor) and hard, hard work. Most players with the former sadly come without the latter and often fail to develop it. Kudos to Zebo for bucking the trend.

The Rape of Lucretia

coco1981 wrote: »

Whatever about zebo, x factor is most definitely a quality we need in players. O Driscoll had it and we need more of it

The Drickmeister had nothing as mundane as x factor.

I remember the first time I saw him....

...on the pitch he looked nothing. The beginning simple, almost comic. Just a walk. Jogs and short sprints, like an unfit carthorse. And then suddenly, high above it, a feint. A single sidestep, hanging there, the dummy. Until an offload took over and sweetened it into a movement of such delight! This was no move by a common journeyman! This was a rugby I'd never seen. Filled with such daring, such unfulfillable longing, it had me trembling. It seemed to me that I was seeing the embodiment of God.

Diabhal Beag

RoundBox11 wrote: »

Rob Kearney > TOH

Discuss

*Falls on arse Rob Kearney-style*

Felix Jones is God

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

The Drickmeister had nothing as mundane as x factor.

I remember the first time I saw him....

...on the pitch he looked nothing. The beginning simple, almost comic. Just a walk. Jogs and short sprints, like an unfit carthorse. And then suddenly, high above it, a feint. A single sidestep, hanging there, the dummy. Until an offload took over and sweetened it into a movement of such delight! This was no move by a common journeyman! This was a rugby I'd never seen. Filled with such daring, such unfulfillable longing, it had me trembling. It seemed to me that I was seeing the embodiment of God.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pXfHLUlZf4

coco0981

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

The Drickmeister had nothing as mundane as x factor.

I remember the first time I saw him....

...on the pitch he looked nothing. The beginning simple, almost comic. Just a walk. Jogs and short sprints, like an unfit carthorse. And then suddenly, high above it, a feint. A single sidestep, hanging there, the dummy. Until an offload took over and sweetened it into a movement of such delight! This was no move by a common journeyman! This was a rugby I'd never seen. Filled with such daring, such unfulfillable longing, it had me trembling. It seemed to me that I was seeing the embodiment of God.

To me your post is the definition of what X factor is, but yet you say the "drickmeister" didn't have it. Does not compute

jm08

Originally Posted by TICKLE_ME_ELMO
Has anyone given an explanation yet as to why Earls is in the squad named for Chicago? Even a clarification that it's actually the squad for all the AIs?

No explanation given, but I'd imagine its to run as opposition. ROG said a few years ago that Keith Earls was the only player to ever test BOD every time in training.

They are flying to the US on Monday, so all their training will be there so they need to bring at least 30 with them.

FACECUTTR

Bazzo wrote: »

I'll start us off. Has anyone got any strong opinions on the Kearney brothers?

This

Rainman16

Just watched Sexton on The Late Late tonight. He said he's fit and ready to play, and hopeful of making the starting lineup in Chigago, against the All Blacks.

Cathalthesmart

With Ryan,Holland playing this weekend and Henderson being injured does this mean that Dillane and Toner is our second row combination Saturday week? I hear both Retalick and Whitelock are out so this part of our selection is crucial, while theres no such thing as a weak AB the two other second rows NZ have in there squad are not world class like these two ( I like Tuipolotu and think he is excellent player and the perfect player coming off the bench but he is not world class, not yet anyway.)

Cathalthesmart

Also I heard via pundit arena that theres a possibility that B.Barrett might be out aswell due to an ear infection. Is that just the usual ****e PA right or is there some truth in it?

Zzippy

Someone actually pays attention to punditarena?

RoundBox11

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

Also I heard via pundit arena that theres a possibility that B.Barrett might be out aswell due to an ear infection. Is that just the usual ****e PA right or is there some truth in it?

Is this the same pundit arena that had a podcast confirming Dillane signing for Munster?

Rainman16

All Blacks strongest starting line-up

15 - Smith
14 - Dagg
13 - Fekitoa
12 - Crotty
11 - Savea
10 - Barrett
9 - Smith
8 - Read
7 - Cane
6 - Kaino
5 - Whitelock
4 - Retallick
3 - Franks
2 - Coles
1 - Moody

Long story short. "We're fcked"

Cathalthesmart

If Fekitoa starts we should cheer, easily NZ's worst 13 in the squad on current form, Lenert-Brown or Moala will be a scary proposition.

RoundBox11

Rainman16 wrote: »

All Blacks strongest starting line-up

15 - Smith
14 - Dagg
13 - Fekitoa
12 - Crotty
11 - Savea
10 - Barrett
9 - Smith
8 - Read
7 - Cane
6 - Kaino
5 - Whitelock
4 - Retallick
3 - Franks
2 - Coles
1 - Moody

Long story short. "We're fcked"

Retallick and Whitelock are injured as far as I know. I certainly wouldn't fear the likes of Luke Romano if he ends up being picked to start

lawred2

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Fecking X factor. Ive had it up to here with Zeebs and his x factor.

X factor is shorthand for neither his coach or his team mates knowing if he is going to stick to the script when they give him the ball, or whether he will go off script and land them all in the doo doo trying to tidy up his mess. Honestly, you over run one pass against Wales and fling your ankle in desperation, and people think x factor is the bees knees. X factor was great when he was 15. As an adult pro rugby player its just a nonsense.

Please, enough with the x factor and he could be a decent club level player.

Total nonsense

coco0981

lawred2 wrote: »

Total nonsense

100% agree. X factor is the difference in a lot of games. It's what we love to see in the likes of Carter, Sonny Bill, even Michalak when he plays well. It's why we love the game

CatFromHue

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

Also I heard via pundit arena that theres a possibility that B.Barrett might be out aswell due to an ear infection. Is that just the usual ****e PA right or is there some truth in it?

Must be a very very bad ear infection to rule him out so far from the game...........

Cathalthesmart

CatFromHue wrote: »

Must be a very very bad ear infection to rule him out so far from the game...........

He has started all of NZ's games this year (correct me if I'm wrong) so maybe if there is an issue it might present Hansen with an opportunity to give Lima or Cruden a shot.

Rainman16

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

If Fekitoa starts we should cheer, easily NZ's worst 13 in the squad on current form, Lenert-Brown or Moala will be a scary proposition.

I think you are overrating Brown, or underrating Fekitoa. Both men present a serious danger to any opposition.

Buer

Cathalthesmart wrote:

He has started all of NZ's games this year (correct me if I'm wrong) so maybe if there is an issue it might present Hansen with an opportunity to give Lima or Cruden a shot.

He was second choice for the first few games and got into the team due to a neck injury to Cruden.

bilston

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

If Fekitoa starts we should cheer, easily NZ's worst 13 in the squad on current form, Lenert-Brown or Moala will be a scary proposition.

I'd have thought Lenert-Brown would start but regarding Fekitoa, it's all relative

molloyjh

Maoriincork - for some reason I can't quote the old thread in my phone, but I just wanted to address that post saying that I wanted Ringrose and Carbery making their debuts against NZ. I'm not sure where you're getting that idea tbh as I've only ever said the complete opposite. All those younger, inexperienced players should be looking to be involved in the later games (specifically Canada) but not NZ.

Cathalthesmart

Rainman16 wrote: »

I think you are overrating Brown, or underrating Fekitoa. Both men present a serious danger to any opposition.

Well in more than half the games NZ have played this year I didn't realise at times that Fekitoa was actually playing, and when thats the case in the NZ back line there is something wrong. He is a quality player based on the last few seasons but this season he is a shadow of that player. Hansen seems to agree with me and has now dropped Fekitoa for Brown.

stephen_n

coco1981 wrote: »

100% agree. X factor is the difference in a lot of games. It's what we love to see in the likes of Carter, Sonny Bill, even Michalak when he plays well. It's why we love the game

I would say Carter is the opposite, it's not that he isn't exceptional. It's more his consistency that wins games, he consistently does the basics incredibly well. I wouldn't call that xfactor.

stephen_n

stephen_n wrote: »

I would say Carter is the opposite, it's not that he isn't exceptional. It's more his consistency that wins games, he consistently does the basics incredibly well. I wouldn't call that xfactor.

Carlos Spencer was their xfactor fly half. You could set your watch by Carter. He also could do everything, pass, kick and run.

Cathalthesmart

In every aspect it took to be a world class fly half Cater mastered. I almost never saw him do anything exceptional that you would see someone like Carlos Spencer do but he could do pretty much everything else.

coco0981

stephen_n wrote: »

I would say Carter is the opposite, it's not that he isn't exceptional. It's more his consistency that wins games, he consistently does the basics incredibly well. I wouldn't call that xfactor.

We're probably getting into semantics here but I find it hard to believe anyone could say Carter doesn't have the "x factor". It depends on what you mean by it I suppose. To me its a player who would regularly change a game with a fantastic piece of skill. This is something Carter has done throughout his career

CatFromHue

I suppose the question is

is it better to be able to do something fantastic that others just can't do

or

be able to do something that everyone else can do but fantastically better

it's a video nasty in my house but of others want to view it, I suppose it is the correct weekend, just look at Carter's highlight vids on youtube from the Lions 05 tour

coco0981

Ellie Bald Trombonist wrote: »

Carlos Spencer was their xfactor fly half. You could set your watch by Carter. He also could do everything, pass, kick and run.

Spencer was outrageously talented, albeit a bit of a maverick. Carter is also outrageously talented but has the consistency and game management to go with it

Cathalthesmart wrote: »

In every aspect it took to be a world class fly half Cater mastered. I almost never saw him do anything exceptional that you would see someone like Carlos Spencer do but he could do pretty much everything else.

Did you see him play? He would do something exceptional in virtually every game. He along with McCaw was the outstanding player in possibly the best team to ever play the game. You do not get 3 world player of the year awards if you are not exceptional

P.s we are gone totally off topic, this is the Ireland thread

Clegg

Leavy motm tonight. Been in superb form this season. Will be a regular starter for Leinster soon enough then it won't be too long before he's called up imo.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Marmion played almost the full 80 minutes this evening whereas McGrath didn't get on at all for Leinster.

What does it all mean?


(I just needed to post something in here so I'd remember there's a new thread...)

Adbrowne

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Marmion played almost the full 80 minutes this evening whereas McGrath didn't get on at all for Leinster.

What does it all mean?


(I just needed to post something in here so I'd remember there's a new thread...)

JGP is better then both of them.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Adbrowne wrote: »

JGP is better then both of them.

Yes, but the AIs are about 3 years too early for him. Who will keep his seat on the bench warm in the meantime?

Adbrowne

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Yes, but the AIs are about 3 years too early for him. Who will keep his seat on the bench warm in the meantime?

Marmion. Murray will be playing 80 as much as possible

whatawaster

Jackson's form has fallen off a cliff and Carberry played well again tonight. Carberry to start v Canada?

FellasFellas

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Yes, but the AIs are about 3 years too early for him. Who will keep his seat on the bench warm in the meantime?

We are stuck tragically for 9's at the minute, it's a really bad spot for Ireland at the minute.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

FellasFellas wrote: »

We are stuck tragically for 9's at the minute, it's a really bad spot for Ireland at the minute.

It really is. There's a huge drop from Murray to literally anyone you could put in there.

Clegg

whatawaster wrote: »

Jackson's form has fallen off a cliff and Carberry played well again tonight. Carberry to start v Canada?

He's playing poorly but so is the rest of Ulster's back line. I'd give Jackson a chance with Ireland because you know he'd get some competent coaching from Schmidt.

Ulster have the best set of backs in the country but are playing so poorly as a unit that you have to guess there coaching has gone to ****.

TICKLE_ME_ELMO

Clegg wrote: »

He's playing poorly but so is the rest of Ulster's back line. I'd give Jackson a chance with Ireland because you know he'd get some competent coaching from Schmidt.

Ulster have the best set of backs in the country but are playing so poorly as a unit that you have to guess there coaching has gone to ****.

Have Ulster been able to put out the same 7 backs for two games in a row this season? I wouldn't swear by it but I'd say they've had at least 2 or 3 changes back there every week, whether it's personnel or positions. That can't be helping either.

I know I made a similar post last night suggesting Carbery could usurp Jackson but as others pointed out in response to that Jackson had a good tour in South Africa and that should stand to him more than a few good Pro12 games stand to Carbery.

Clegg

TICKLE_ME_ELMO wrote: »

Have Ulster been able to put out the same 7 backs for two games in a row this season? I wouldn't swear by it but I'd say they've had at least 2 or 3 changes back there every week, whether it's personnel or positions. That can't be helping either.

I know I made a similar post last night suggesting Carbery could usurp Jackson but as others pointed out in response to that Jackson had a good tour in South Africa and that should stand to him more than a few good Pro12 games stand to Carbery.

All true.

I think if things stay as they are for Ulster by the turn of the new year then Carbery will be putting Jackson under a lot of pressure. For now Jackson still has credit in the bank. Also the real problem lies with Ulster's coaching. It's effecting most of their players.

CMOTDibbler

Clegg wrote: »

All true.

I think if things stay as they are for Ulster by the turn of the new year then Carbery will be putting Jackson under a lot of pressure. For now Jackson still has credit in the bank. Also the real problem lies with Ulster's coaching. It's effecting most of their players.

Wouldn't be blaming the coaching, well at least until they put together a decent pack. As it is, every player on the pitch looks poor because of it.