Ireland v Italy Chicago November 3rd

MRG77

Is this match confirmed yet?

thomond2006

MRG77 wrote: »

Is this match confirmed yet?

No confirmation from what I've seen. Awaiting impatiently!

I hope not.

thomond2006

[Deleted User] wrote: »

I hope not.

Feck off.

The schedule in Dublin was NZ in Match 2 of 3 right? Then it can be done.

agoodusername

Doesn't sound worth it with NZ shortly after.
Then again I doubt that it will be even close to a full strength 23

ScrubsfanChris

If it does go ahead it will probably be a team like the one that played Fiji last November, could be a bit of a non-spectical and would be a poor decision by Irish Rugby.

Zzippy

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

If it does go ahead it will probably be a team like the one that played Fiji last November, could be a bit of a non-spectical and would be a poor decision by Irish Rugby.

Whatever about the spectacle, it's an extra fixture to give fringe players gametime 10 months out from a world cup, and brings in extra revenue for IRFU. What's not to like?

ScrubsfanChris

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

If it does go ahead it will probably be a team like the one that played Fiji last November, could be a bit of a non-spectical and would be a poor decision by Irish Rugby.

New Zealand would have said the same about us, not too long ago

ScrubsfanChris

Zzippy wrote: »

Whatever about the spectacle, it's an extra fixture to give fringe players gametime 10 months out from a world cup, and brings in extra revenue for IRFU. What's not to like?

So do you split the squad then and take half to Chicago for a week leaving a starting 15 at home? Not great great preparation for Argentina.

It also doesn't make sense for Italy as they have a huge game against Georgia the week after that given the current forms of each team, Italy can't afford to lose.

MRG77

Just to answer my own question, I see that this match has now been confirmed today.

iDave

When was the last time we played a 5/6N team in November?

thomond2006

iDave wrote: »

When was the last time we played a 5/6N team in November?

The foot and mouth year?

Digifriendly

thomond2006 wrote: »

The foot and mouth year?

Was that not September and October?

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joseywhales

I live in the states and I still can't be bothered, Italy?!? Like we either hammer them and it's fine but means nothing or we lose and the coach needs to be sacked, what's the point?!

Jaysus, was it that hard for us to get a game in the 90s

thomond2006

Digifriendly wrote: »

Was that not September and October?

It was indeed.

Shefwedfan

Checked with the gang which done the last trip....not a single bit of interest.....

I would guess Ireland will need to play the first team. This has to be a money gig or why bother? Supporters in US hardly going to show up for a game with Ireland B out.....

I doubt anywhere near the crowd that was at the All Black match. I still might check prices, might be a bit of a laugh

Shefwedfan

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Checked with the gang which done the last trip....not a single bit of interest.....

I would guess Ireland will need to play the first team. This has to be a money gig or why bother? Supporters in US hardly going to show up for a game with Ireland B out.....

I doubt anywhere near the crowd that was at the All Black match. I still might check prices, might be a bit of a laugh

Chicago has a large Italian population also though no?

Shefwedfan

Deleted User wrote: »

Chicago has a large Italian population also though no?

No idea, I was hammered drunk the entire trip :P:P

vetinari

They'll get some of the Irish in the states going to it but nothing like the New Zealand game.
Pretty poor game to take "on tour".
For comparison, I've been to Ireland vs USA games over here and they were nowhere as big as the New Zealand game in terms of interest.
A game against Italy will have very lukewarm interest.

Shefwedfan

Do Americans know to be honest? They hardly knew anything about the Ireland NZ match.....

The only thing I heard was a few people saying Ireland had won the World Series the day after game when the place was full of green

Will they realise Italy are muck and just go because It’s Italy and Ireland for expats

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razorblunt

I was at the Ireland - USA game in New Jersey last year, perfect sized stadium for a game like this. Though there were plenty Welsh, Scottish and English that went along to it too.
Soldier Field is a massive ask.

I'll probably go if I can, if flights are relatively reasonable I could definitely be persuaded as I don't need a hotel.

Dubinusa

There's a lot of my mates going. I may go with my son. It won't sell out though, cos everyone knows the AB's and Italy and ourselves are not as well known.

Squidgy Black

Deleted User wrote: »

Chicago has a large Italian population also though no?

Would have very little interest in rugby though, if it was soccer it'd be a different story.

ursa actos

Was at the Ireland - All Blacks game there, was epic, would prefer better opposition but have tickets bought for this. If nothing else it'll be a chance to see some up & coming Irish players, and Sergio Parisse if he's still playing. I live in the midwest so a weekend in Chicago watching three games with the FIL will be fun. USA vs Maori All Blacks might even be a better game.

Shefwedfan

ursa actos wrote: »

Was at the Ireland - All Blacks game there, was epic, would prefer better opposition but have tickets bought for this. If nothing else it'll be a chance to see some up & coming Irish players, and Sergio Parisse if he's still playing. I live in the midwest so a weekend in Chicago watching three games with the FIL will be fun. USA vs Maori All Blacks might even be a better game.

Is that match on again? I hope they didnt shove it out to Toyota Park again?

That was some trip to get in & out of the place....only we got a friendly taxi man to drop out and then he came back out to collect we might still be out their.....

zambrotta11

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Is that match on again? I hope they didnt shove it out to Toyota Park again?

That was some trip to get in & out of the place....only we got a friendly taxi man to drop out and then he came back out to collect we might still be out their.....

NZ vs USA (women), Ireland vs Italy and NZ Maori vs USA is all on the one day in Solider Field, one after the other.

ursa actos

Shefwedfan wrote: »

ursa actos wrote: »

Was at the Ireland - All Blacks game there, was epic, would prefer better opposition but have tickets bought for this. If nothing else it'll be a chance to see some up & coming Irish players, and Sergio Parisse if he's still playing. I live in the midwest so a weekend in Chicago watching three games with the FIL will be fun. USA vs Maori All Blacks might even be a better game.

Is that match on again? I hope they didnt shove it out to Toyota Park again?

That was some trip to get in & out of the place....only we got a friendly taxi man to drop out and then he came back out to collect we might still be out their.....

Yup, as Zambrotta said, it's a triple-header, all three games in Soldier Field. If the weather is as nice as last time it'll be expensive with what the charge for beer at the stadium.
12 p.m.: USA Eagles (Women’s team) vs. Black Ferns
3 p.m.: Ireland vs. Italy
5:15 p.m.: USA Eagles (Men’s team) vs. Maori All Blacks

Shefwedfan

ursa actos wrote: »

Yup, as Zambrotta said, it's a triple-header, all three games in Soldier Field. If the weather is as nice as last time it'll be expensive with what the charge for beer at the stadium.
12 p.m.: USA Eagles (Women’s team) vs. Black Ferns
3 p.m.: Ireland vs. Italy
5:15 p.m.: USA Eagles (Men’s team) vs. Maori All Blacks

3 games in one day in same stadium....actually a little bit more interested now....

The beer everywhere in chicago was expensive, we seemed to be paying over 10 doller per beer....not sure if they seen the tourist and upped the price or if that is normal

razorblunt

Shefwedfan wrote: »

3 games in one day in same stadium....actually a little bit more interested now....

The beer everywhere in chicago was expensive, we seemed to be paying over 10 doller per beer....not sure if they seen the tourist and upped the price or if that is normal

Where were you drinking?
I don't think I've paid more than $9 for one.

Cans in those stadiums tend to be $12/$13

Shefwedfan

razorblunt wrote: »

Where were you drinking?
I don't think I've paid more than $9 for one.

Cans in those stadiums tend to be $12/$13

I have absolutely no idea were I was drinking :-)


We stayed in the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, after that it was random bars that looked like they had life in them

testicles

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Shefwedfan

testicles wrote: »

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Flying Aerlingus?

testicles

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Losty Dublin

razorblunt wrote: »

Where were you drinking?
I don't think I've paid more than $9 for one.

Cans in those stadiums tend to be $12/$13

After the game we went into some local sports bar a few metric blocks away from the ground. Bizarrely it served longnecks of O'Hara's Red, which I bought 7 off for $3 each plus taxes.

Anything in the stadium was at rip off price. I paid $10 plus taxes for two coffees (No tea, the bastards.) while their poor ass lager beers were over $10 a pop.

thomond2006

How Americans can drink that Miller Lite water/piss is beyond me.

Between going to Wrigley Field and Soldier Field, the mark up on drinks is far higher than the equivalent at Irish/UK grounds.

razorblunt

Losty Dublin wrote: »

After the game we went into some local sports bar a few metric blocks away from the ground. Bizarrely it served longnecks of O'Hara's Red, which I bought 7 off for $3 each plus taxes.

Anything in the stadium was at rip off price. I paid $10 plus taxes for two coffees (No tea, the bastards.) while their poor ass lager beers were over $10 a pop.

Yeah the stadium being down that end of the town definitely lends itself to some of the cheaper bars, or "dive" bars as they call them.

I'm wating for flights to drop under 400 and I'll probably jump on them then.


"Dive" in the good sense.

Squidgy Black

thomond2006 wrote: »

How Americans can drink that Miller Lite water/piss is beyond me.

Between going to Wrigley Field and Soldier Field, the mark up on drinks is far higher than the equivalent at Irish/UK grounds.

Bud light as well is another common one over there, it's absolutely atrocious.

Losty Dublin

razorblunt wrote: »

Yeah the stadium being down that end of the town definitely lends itself to some of the cheaper bars, or "dive" bars as they call them.

I'm wating for flights to drop under 400 and I'll probably jump on them then.


"Dive" in the good sense.

They were coming up in and around about €500 return; cheaper with cabin bag only.

thomond2006

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Bud light as well is another common one over there, it's absolutely atrocious.

Their light/lite beers are the ****s.

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Diabhal Beag

thomond2006 wrote: »

Their light/lite beers are the ****s.

The locals were barely able to handle a few Miller Lites much to the amusement of myself and some NZers post-match.

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Guess at the 23

McGrath
Scannell
Ryan
Toner (c)
Henderson
Beirne
VDF
Conan
Marmion
Carbery
Stockdale
Aki
Farrell
Larmour
Conway

Kilcoyne
Best
Porter
Roux
Ruddock
Cooney
Byrne
TBC

Some injury doubts in there with Farrell and VDF due back at some stage before then last I heard. Bit of experience but mostly sending a backup team to keep the primarily first choice team fit for the All Blacks.

Heroditas

VDF won't be back playing until mid November so it might be a stretch to see him in a green jersey for the Autumn internationals.
He might get back playing earlier but they rarely rush back ACL injuries.

nim1bdeh38l2cw

15 days to go, is anyone travelling over?

razorblunt

Heroditas wrote: »

VDF won't be back playing until mid November so it might be a stretch to see him in a green jersey for the Autumn internationals.
He might get back playing earlier but they rarely rush back ACL injuries.

Oh you doubting Thomas!

Kendall Fat Gutter wrote: »

15 days to go, is anyone travelling over?

I was going to but someone got the Mrs pregnant and all frivolous spending has ceased with a future Irish no 8 on the way.

nim1bdeh38l2cw

razorblunt wrote: »

I was going to but someone got the Mrs pregnant and all frivolous spending has ceased with a future Irish no 8 on the way.

I can assure you that it wasn't me! Actually, it could have been, what's her name? :pac::D

Buer

razorblunt wrote: »

I was going to but someone got the Mrs pregnant and all frivolous spending has ceased with a future Irish no 8 on the way.

I guess that answers the question of what Heaslip has been up to since retirement.