Ireland v Australia - 2nd test, how the expected starting XVs compare.

BigMacMichael

1. Healy v Scott Sio - Healy is back near his best, will surely be hurting from that momentum shifting scrum penalty, off the back of interesting angles from the Aussie front 5. Rating - 8. Scott Sio - can be very strong in the carry, but not very consistent and could encounter problems on Saturday given the inevitable pressure Schmidt will put on the referee to ensure the Aussies are scrummaging straight/not boring in. Rating - 6.

2. Cronin v Brandon Paenga-Amosa - Cronin is on a strong run of form for Leinster and on his day is by some margin Ireland's best hooker. Rating - 7. Amosa - very poor first outing, consistently missing his lifters and anonymous in open play. Has shown some promise in Super rugby, should improve from his debut. Rating - 5.

3. Furlong v Sekope Kepu - Furlong although looking fatigued, is up there with the top TH's in the world and will be looking to prove his worth in the scrum. Rating - 9. Kepu - very good handling in the loose and significantly improved in the tight, will be an interesting battle against Healy. Rating - 7.

4. Ian Henderson v Izack Rodda. Hendy is due a big performance and on his day is a freak of nature. Rating - 8. Rodda - will have to take some slack for the lineout malfunctioning and will look to improve for Saturday, rating - 6.

5. James Ryan v Adam Coleman - Ryan was Ireland's top performer last week and already world class, didn't deserve to lose his first game. Rating - 9. Coleman - very physical and abrasive but has a tendency to give away silly penalties, needs to improve his discipline. Rating - 6.

6. Tadgh Beirne v Hooper - Beirne is the best jackler in the Northern Hemisphere this season and will provide a much needed threat to the Aussie breakdown, though unproven at test level, the coaching staff will expect an 8/10 showing. Rating - 8. Hooper - all class although his form has not been up to his usual standards. Rating - 8.

7. Dan Leavy v Pocock - Leavy will relish coming up against Pocock who has had a big influence on how he modelled his game. In incredible form and perhaps offers more of a carrying threat than opposite number. Rating - 8. Pocock - game changer for the Wallabies, Ireland's biggest attribute is their ability to starve the opposition of possession, Pocock possesses an unrivalled ability to steal ball, will be interesting to see if he can have the same impact with Beirne and Leavy on the field. Rating - 10.

8. Stander v Caleb Timu - Stander although had one of his better ball carrying outings still needs to play more heads up rugby and stop looking for traffic instead of space. Rating - 7. Timu - failed to have much impact last week but should improve with experience. Rating - 6.

9. Conor Murray v Genia - Murray didn't have his best performance in the first test and was clearly frustrated at the referee, should be vastly improved on Saturday. Rating - 9. Genia - did all that was asked but still has not hit his top form. Rating - 8.

10. Sexton v Foley - Sexton is imperious form and will be hurting from his first loss all season. Rating - 9. Foley - similar to Genia did all that was asked but failed to have a big impact and helped a lot by Beale. Rating - 7.

11. Stockdale v Dane Haylett-Petty. Stockdale under-performed last week but showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated. Rating - 7. Petty - very talented footballer and showed it last week. Rating - 7.

12. Henshaw v Beale. Henshaw showed his limitations at 13 due to his loss of pace, but has all the attributes of a world class 12 and combines to form a finely balanced centre combination with Ringrose. Rating - 8. Beale - another star in the Aussie team, on form he is an exceptional play-maker, an injury to him or Pocock would hugely affect their chances. Rating - 9.

13. Gary Ringrose v Samu Kerevi. Ringrose - was seriously missed last week, his weaving runs and defensive reads should cause trouble. Rating - 8. Samu Kerevi showed why Kuridrani isn't being picked with a great showing, looks to have serious potential, but prone to the odd misread in defense. Rating - 7.

14. Jordan Larmour v Marika Koroibete. Larmour didn't see much of the ball but could open up in space, still question marks over his defence. Rating - 7. Koribete - Had decent game at weekend without setting the world alight, in fine Super rugby form. Rating - 7.

15. Kearney v Folau - Kearney made elementary errors but were uncharacteristic of his game, expect a much improved performance. Rating - 7. Folau best full back in the world by a distance, incredible in the air and in attack. Rating - 9.

Total Irish score - 119
Total Australia score - 108.

evil_seed

BigMacMichael wrote: »

1. Healy v Scott Sio - Healy is back near his best, will surely be hurting from that momentum shifting scrum penalty, off the back of interesting angles from the Aussie front 5. Rating - 8. Scott Sio - can be very strong in the carry, but not very consistent and could encounter problems on Saturday given the inevitable pressure Schmidt will put on the referee to ensure the Aussies are scrummaging straight/not boring in. Rating - 6.

2. Cronin v Brandon Paenga-Amosa - Cronin is on a strong run of form for Leinster and on his day is by some margin Ireland's best hooker. Rating - 7. Amosa - very poor first outing, consistently missing his lifters and anonymous in open play. Has shown some promise in Super rugby, should improve from his debut. Rating - 5.

3. Furlong v Sekope Kepu - Furlong although looking fatigued, is up there with the top TH's in the world and will be looking to prove his worth in the scrum. Rating - 9. Kepu - very good handling in the loose and significantly improved in the tight, will be an interesting battle against Healy. Rating - 7.

4. Ian Henderson v Izack Rodda. Hendy is due a big performance and on his day is a freak of nature. Rating - 8. Rodda - will have to take some slack for the lineout malfunctioning and will look to improve for Saturday, rating - 6.

5. James Ryan v Adam Coleman - Ryan was Ireland's top performer last week and already world class, didn't deserve to lose his first game. Rating - 9. Coleman - very physical and abrasive but has a tendency to give away silly penalties, needs to improve his discipline. Rating - 6.

6. Tadgh Beirne v Hooper - Beirne is the best jackler in the Northern Hemisphere this season and will provide a much needed threat to the Aussie breakdown, though unproven at test level, the coaching staff will expect an 8/10 showing. Rating - 8. Hooper - all class although his form has not been up to his usual standards. Rating - 8.

7. Dan Leavy v Pocock - Leavy will relish coming up against Pocock who has had a big influence on how he modelled his game. In incredible form and perhaps offers more of a carrying threat than opposite number. Rating - 8. Pocock - game changer for the Wallabies, Ireland's biggest attribute is their ability to starve the opposition of possession, Pocock possesses an unrivalled ability to steal ball, will be interesting to see if he can have the same impact with Beirne and Leavy on the field. Rating - 10.

8. Stander v Caleb Timu - Stander although had one of his better ball carrying outings still needs to play more heads up rugby and stop looking for traffic instead of space. Rating - 7. Timu - failed to have much impact last week but should improve with experience. Rating - 6.

9. Conor Murray v Genia - Murray didn't have his best performance in the first test and was clearly frustrated at the referee, should be vastly improved on Saturday. Rating - 9. Genia - did all that was asked but still has not hit his top form. Rating - 8.

10. Sexton v Foley - Sexton is imperious form and will be hurting from his first loss all season. Rating - 9. Foley - similar to Genia did all that was asked but failed to have a big impact and helped a lot by Beale. Rating - 7.

11. Stockdale v Dane Haylett-Petty. Stockdale under-performed last week but showed glimpses of why he is so highly rated. Rating - 7. Petty - very talented footballer and showed it last week. Rating - 7.

12. Henshaw v Beale. Henshaw showed his limitations at 13 due to his loss of pace, but has all the attributes of a world class 12 and combines to form a finely balanced centre combination with Ringrose. Rating - 8. Beale - another star in the Aussie team, on form he is an exceptional play-maker, an injury to him or Pocock would hugely affect their chances. Rating - 9.

13. Gary Ringrose v Samu Kerevi. Ringrose - was seriously missed last week, his weaving runs and defensive reads should cause trouble. Rating - 8. Samu Kerevi showed why Kuridrani isn't being picked with a great showing, looks to have serious potential, but prone to the odd misread in defense. Rating - 7.

14. Jordan Larmour v Marika Koroibete. Larmour didn't see much of the ball but could open up in space, still question marks over his defence. Rating - 7. Koribete - Had decent game at weekend without setting the world alight, in fine Super rugby form. Rating - 7.

15. Kearney v Folau - Kearney made elementary errors but were uncharacteristic of his game, expect a much improved performance. Rating - 7. Folau best full back in the world by a distance, incredible in the air and in attack. Rating - 9.

Total Irish score - 119
Total Australia score - 108.

ClanofLams

Rory Best is Ireland’s best hooker. That’s why he’s been captain and you know, starting hooker.

umop episdn

I think Beirne, if he starts, gets a game at lock

slingerz

umop episdn wrote: »

I think Beirne, if he starts, gets a game at lock

O'Mahony doesnt get dropped, the backrow will be POM, Leavy & Stander.

Healy
Cronin
Furlong
Henderson
Ryan
O'Mahony
Leavy
Stander
Murray
Sexton
Stockdale
Aki
Ringrose
Earls
Kearney

McGrath, Scannell, Porter, Beirne, Murphy, Cooney, Carbery, Henshaw

fitz

evil_seed wrote: »

And not a table in sight. Shocking.

stephen_n

slingerz wrote: »

O'Mahony doesnt get dropped, the backrow will be POM, Leavy & Stander.

Healy
Cronin
Furlong
Henderson
Ryan
O'Mahony
Leavy
Stander
Murray
Sexton
Stockdale
Aki
Ringrose
Earls
Kearney

McGrath, Scannell, Porter, Beirne, Murphy, Cooney, Carbery, Henshaw

Earls is a doubt, might see Conway start there.

LuckyLloyd

Hooper not up to his high standards recently? Eh, he looked pretty damn good on Saturday to me.

Shefwedfan

Did they announce the teams yet?

Squidgy Black

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Did they announce the teams yet?

Only Tuesday, they won't be announced until Thursday.

Shefwedfan

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Only Tuesday, they won't be announced until Thursday.

I know

I dont understand the point of thread?

Would it not be better on Thursday when the teams are announced?

Who pissed in everyone's cornflakes

Squidgy Black

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Who pissed in everyone's cornflakes

David Pocock. Appeared out of nowhere.

ironingbored

Ireland

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 84 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 6 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 13 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 34 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 68 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 74 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 65 caps
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 79 caps
2. Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) 7 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 24 caps
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 58 caps
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 48 caps
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 24 caps

16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 4 caps
17. Jack McGrath (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 48 caps
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 7 caps
19. Tadhg Beirne (Scarlets)*
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 21 caps
21. John Cooney (Terenure College/Ulster) 1 cap
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 11 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 4 caps

Stockdale, Cronin, Bundee, Henderson dropped from the 23

Jump_In_Jack

ironingbored wrote: »

Ireland

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 84 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 6 caps
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 13 caps
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 34 caps
11. Keith Earls (Young Munster/Munster) 68 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 74 caps
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 65 caps
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 79 caps
2. Niall Scannell (Dolphin/Munster) 7 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 24 caps
4. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 58 caps
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 48 caps
7. Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 9 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 24 caps

16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 4 caps
17. Jack McGrath (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 48 caps
18. Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 7 caps
19. Tadhg Beirne (Scarlets)*
20. Jordi Murphy (Lansdowne/Leinster) 21 caps
21. John Cooney (Terenure College/Ulster) 1 cap
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 11 caps
23. Jordan Larmour (St Mary’s College/Leinster) 4 caps

Stockdale, Cronin, Bundee, Henderson dropped from the 23

Also John Ryan, Roux, Marmion, Conan.
And Ross Byrne the only player not to get selected so far.

PTH2009

Prob mentioned here somewhere but Austraila are playing in the World cup at 11am too and I think there cricket team are in action too at the same time

Dave_The_Sheep

So they're distracted is that what you're saying?

CantonaGod

Sky ch 407 has the game

Pudsy33

So we using this as the match thread then?

umop episdn

Pudsy33 wrote: »

So we using this as the match thread then?

Sure why not.. will you join me in a verse of Ireland's Call?

vienne86

Good few Irish fans there.

Squidgy Black

That was a bit more depressing than last week's introduction....

umop episdn

Can we not have the pissed aborigine again? He was fun

Larbre34

That fla cant sing. At all.

ScrubsfanChris

World rugby: Match will kick off at 11

Australia: Sure mate

Squidgy Black

Larbre34 wrote: »

That fla cant sing. At all.

Kearney shot him a bit of a look there

ctrl-alt-delete

Jesus talk about demotivating.

mangobob

Squidgy Black wrote: »

That was a bit more depressing than last week's introduction....

Sombre might be a better word. But enjoyed it nonetheless. Not so sure about this bloke singing Irelands call though.......

Clegg

Where did they find that lad?

Sanjuro

That was an insult to our ****ty song.

Dave_The_Sheep

Ireland's Call is normally ****e but this is a whole new level of awful.

theoneeyedman

Lol.

The tuneless dirge Ireland Call getting a very appropriate rendition there... Where in hell did they drag yer man out of FFS

vienne86

That dude they got for Irelands Call was dull ditchwater.

PTH2009

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

World rugby: Match will kick off at 11

Australia: Sure mate

The Aussies are playing in the soccer atm too

Squidgy Black

Clegg wrote: »

Where did they find that lad?

The first Irish fella they found in a backpacking hostel it seems

Dave_The_Sheep

Dave_The_Sheep wrote: »

Ireland's Call is normally ****e but this is a whole new level of awful.

Any song can sound like ****e when sung like that.

Larbre34

Squidgy Black wrote: »

Kearney shot him a bit of a look there

Should've shot him a spear tackle.

mangobob

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Lol.

The tuneless dirge Ireland Call getting a very appropriate rendition there... Where in hell did they drag yer man out of FFS

The nearest pub by the sounds of it.

ScissorPaperRock

Wow... that was poor

fitz

Ok, so who's nephew is the guy that "sang" Ireland's Call?

ScrubsfanChris

My local primary school had belt out a better Ireland’s call than that ****e

golondrinas

ScrubsfanChris wrote: »

My local primary school had belt out a better Ireland’s call than that ****e

Hope the rugby is better than the singing

DDC1990

He can actually sing but was just not in tune with the band. One or the other would have been grand.

Then again you'd imagine that as a singer you'd actually be able to sing with a band.

Buer

Well that's a brutal start. Sloppy.

Squidgy Black

Aussies starting with some serious pace

Clegg

Woeful

vienne86

Christ!

Larbre34

F*** me sideways.

Franz Von Peppercorn

Jesus wept.

eigrod

Ffs. From our own lineout

fitz

Poor defence there.