Ire vs Aus - Test Number Three

swiwi_

Rob, Keith, Robbie, Bundee, Jacob, Johnny, Conor
Jack, Sean, Tadgh, Devin, James, CJ, Peter, Jack

Niall, Cian, John, Tadgh, Jordi, Kieran, Ross, Jordan

turnikett1

So bizarre seeing PoM at openside. Still, think it's a good team nonetheless and could still win it. My main concern is Henshaw at 13, he did not have a good outing in Test 1.

whatawaster

Ringrose is a massive loss, as is Leavy

Still think we have enough to win. Would be good to see Byrne getting 15 minutes but I'd fear he will come on with 90 seconds to go. Understandable in the circumstances.

yerrahbah

[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Ireland:[/font]

[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]15. Rob Kearney
14. Keith Earls
13. Robbie Henshaw
12. Bundee Aki
11. Jacob Stockdale
10. Johnny Sexton
9. Conor Murray[/font]
[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]1. Jack McGrath
2. Sean Cronin
3. Tadhg Furlong
4. Devin Toner
5. James Ryan
6. CJ Stander
7. Peter O’Mahony (captain)
8. Jack Conan[/font]
[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif][font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Replacements:[/font][/font]
[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]16. Niall Scannell
17. Cian Healy
18. John Ryan
19. Tadhg Beirne
20. Jordi Murphy
21. Kieran Marmion
22. Ross Byrne
23. Jordan Larmour[/font]

[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Australia:[/font]

[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]15. Israel Folau
14. Dane Haylett-Petty
13. Samu Kerevi
12. Kurtley Beale
11. Marika Koroibete
10. Bernard Foley
9. Nick Phipps[/font]
[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]1. Scott Sio
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Sekope Kepu
4. Izack Rodda
5. Adam Coleman
6. Lukhan Tui
7. Michael Hooper (captain)
8. David Pocock[/font]
[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif][font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Replacements:[/font][/font]
[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]16. Tolu Latu
17. Allan Alaalatoa
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Rob Simmons
20. Ned Hanigan
21. Pete Samu
22. Joe Powell
23. Reece Hodge[/font]

[font=Georgia, Arial, Verdana, sans-serif]Huge fan of POM but seeing him at 7 ahead of someone like Murphy is strange. [/font]

umop episdn

I'm not sure why to think... Cronin back, POM at 7, Conan starting, Henshaw at 13.
I'm going into Saturday in hope more than confidence

Peregrine

No Ringrose, Robbie back at 13, Byrne, no Henderson, POM at 7. I didn't expect that. Hmm.

Neil3030

Good idea giving POM a run at 7. After our first choice 7, and the other 7, there's only three 7s left!

Neil3030

Are Hendy and Ringer injured? Rest of the team is fairly as you would.

umop episdn

Neil3030 wrote: »

Are Hendy and Ringer injured? Rest of the team is fairly as you would.

Yeah, both injured as is Conway.

yerrahbah

Ringrose, Leavy and Conway ruled out with injury

fitz

Delighted for Conan, and no doubt POM will
do well at 7. Hopefully Henshaw has shaken off the rustiness of the first test.

Hope Ross Byrne gets a cap after his season (and it's a winning one!)

irishbucsfan

As stated above, Ringrose is a massive loss.

Burkie1203

Like the team apart from Ringrose being out.

Heres Johnny

POM will do well at 7
Aussies hate POMs no matter what number they wear

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

As stated above, Ringrose is a massive loss.

He is but we're still incredibly lucky to have players the quality of Aki and Henshaw able to step right in.

irishbucsfan

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Schmidt seems to like to use everyone in the squad so that would leave the following to make an appearance:

Ross Byrne (UCD/Leinster) *
Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 6
John Cooney (Terenure College/Ulster) 1
Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 13

Tadhg Beirne (Scarlets) *
Dan Leavy (UCD/Leinster) 9
Andrew Porter (UCD/Leinster) 7
Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 58
Niall Scannell

I think of these lads, only Ross Byrne would really be a surprise, the rest would all fit onto the bench or even the starting XV pretty seemlessly imo. Which is quite the statement with regards to how far the squad has come.

In the end, all got their game.

Fairly common occurrence with Schmidt.

errlloyd

Ringrose completes his undefeated season.

DellyBelly

I'm not sure on Cronin starting. Yes he needs game time but for me he's more an impact player coming off the bench. I don't rate him as a top class hooker but hopefully he has a good game.

clsmooth

errlloyd wrote: »

Ringrose completes his undefeated season.

Did Leavy go undefeated too?

Podge_irl

Don't really understand the backrow selections - would have thought moving CJ to the bench and starting Murphy at 7 would make more sense.

Ringrose by far the biggest loss I feel. Massively less confident without him in the side.

Squidgy Black

Podge_irl wrote: »

Don't really understand the backrow selections - would have thought moving CJ to the bench and starting Murphy at 7 would make more sense.

Ringrose by far the biggest loss I feel. Massively less confident without him in the side.

POM had an absolute stormer last week in terms of turnovers, and Stander does the hard dirty carries that Joe loves. Conan brings the ball playing element that we've been missing from the backrow.

elefant

clsmooth wrote: »

Did Leavy go undefeated too?

I see he played in a loss to Glasgow in November. Disappointing season.

errlloyd

Podge_irl wrote: »

Don't really understand the backrow selections - would have thought moving CJ to the bench and starting Murphy at 7 would make more sense.

Ringrose by far the biggest loss I feel. Massively less confident without him in the side.

The backrow lacks balance alright. Would have started Beirne in the row to try and help in that regard. Still once you've broken 3 opensides I guess it's always gonna be tough.

molloyjh

Our current injury list going into this Test:

Best, Henderson, SOB, VDF, Leavy, Ringrose, Farrell, Conway.

We’re also missing Luke McGrath, Rhys Ruddock and Ferg McFaddden due to injuries and/or lack of fitness.

Every one of those 11 players could feasibly be in a match day 23 for us. And yet we’re still able to field that squad. We’re not quite there yet in a few positions, but there’s no question that our depth has improved substantially since 2015. I wouldn’t be too confident about our chances for Saturday, but we shouldn’t be far off by any means.

sydthebeat

Australia still available at +4 after the team announcements and I expect that to drop by 2 points by kick off.

Im surprised Coleman is still there, the cheek injury mustn't have been a bad as they thought. Oz are really going to target our line out this time, with tui in the back row as third jumper and hanigan on the bench. A 6/2 split for the third week by cheiks. If we can get phipps under pressure he will crack.... And cheika will be very slow to bring powell off the bench.

That Ireland midfield are getting a chance to redeem itself are the first test, hopefully they are up for it, and they get that extra bit of marshaling from Sexton inside. they will target Sexton of course, knowing we have a greenhorn replacement on the bench.

I think aus might just sneak this.
But I expect a cracking tough game.

Reckon the flood gates are going to open on Saturday and we'll properly click. Ireland by 10 or more.

umop episdn

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Reckon the flood gates are going to open on Saturday and we'll properly click. Ireland by 10 or more.

Bit early to be drinking isn't it?

vienne86

Surprising back row there - I'm astonished Murphy isn't starting. Pity about the injuries, but still a very good team. This could go either way on Saturday.

Buer

Happy with the team given the injuries. I'm not nearly as concerned as others by the back row. It is as balanced as other weeks. We've just come to overlook the fact that Stander is more of a 6. For me, he's playing where he's most effective now. We'll possibly lose a little bit of impact at the breakdown given Conan isn't prominent there but he's a far more dynamic carrier in the loose. No issue with POM at 7. He has played there in the past including in green.

With Ringrose out, I think we might see Aki double up as a flanker at times and really focus on rucks in defence too.

Interesting bench calls. Ryan is ahead of Porter at this point, for me. Beirne on the bench again which confirms in my mind that he's not threatening a starting place, any time soon. Murphy is a loser here. He's has enjoyed plenty of game time on tour but certainly would have fancied a spot with Leavy ruled out. It underlines just how important Stander is to the plan, I reckon.

Most intriguing is Ross Byrne, probably. I definitely thought he'd be going home without a spot in the 23. This is a big game to introduce him into. He'll probably get 5-10 minutes at most but if Sexton is injured, it's going to make things very interesting.

umop episdn

umop episdn wrote: »

Bit early to be drinking isn't it?

You can't spell coffee without whiskey!

Webbs

I would still be concerned with Schmidts reverting to no risk type again. The first test changes were made and OK Ireland lost but players would get a feeling for starting a test match. The next 2 tests barring injuries hes not really looked to blood guys who would need to step up in the case of key players not being fit. Am thinking here especially at half back, the reliance on Murray and Sexton staying fit gets more and more to a fingers crossed situation than genuinely building strength in depth.

Former Former

vienne86 wrote: »

Surprising back row there - I'm astonished Murphy isn't starting. Pity about the injuries, but still a very good team. This could go either way on Saturday.

Well, POM had to be retained after his showing last week, Stander is an absolute cert every time, so it was either Murphy or Conan to start; Murphy got 80 minutes in the first test and 40 in the second, whereas Conan got 10 minutes in the first.

molloyjh

Buer wrote: »

Happy with the team given the injuries. I'm not nearly as concerned as others by the back row. It is as balanced as other weeks. We've just come to overlook the fact that Stander is more of a 6. For me, he's playing where he's most effective now. We'll possibly lose a little bit of impact at the breakdown given Conan isn't prominent there but he's a far more dynamic carrier in the loose. No issue with POM at 7. He has played there in the past including in green.

With Ringrose out, I think we might see Aki double up as a flanker at times and really focus on rucks in defence too.

Interesting bench calls. Ryan is ahead of Porter at this point, for me. Beirne on the bench again which confirms in my mind that he's not threatening a starting place, any time soon. Murphy is a loser here. He's has enjoyed plenty of game time on tour but certainly would have fancied a spot with Leavy ruled out. It underlines just how important Stander is to the plan, I reckon.

Most intriguing is Ross Byrne, probably. I definitely thought he'd be going home without a spot in the 23. This is a big game to introduce him into. He'll probably get 5-10 minutes at most but if Sexton is injured, it's going to make things very interesting.

Yeah, I'm okay with that back row too. POM did well on the ground last week and Stander is probably our best out and out blindside. We need to get a look at Conan in big games like this too. I'm not convinced he's at this level, but hopefully he can prove me wrong.

I can see Murray and Sexton staying on for as long as possible and neither of Marmion or Byrne getting much of an opportunity unless there's an injury. I'd agree with others that we've missed an opportunity to give at least 1 of Murrays back ups a start in a big game like this, but had we won the first Test we'd have had more scope for that I suppose.

I'm worried about our centres, but playing outside Sexton should help. We don't have a second play maker though, which I think we need at this stage. I can't see us playing the most exciting rugby but if we can contain Pocock and Hooper again (big if) then I think we've a good chance.

gleesonisgod

Deleted User wrote: »

Reckon the flood gates are going to open on Saturday and we'll properly click. Ireland by 10 or more.

I would be wholly on board with this comment if Ringer was playing.

molloyjh

Webbs wrote: »

I would still be concerned with Schmidts reverting to no risk type again. The first test changes were made and OK Ireland lost but players would get a feeling for starting a test match. The next 2 tests barring injuries hes not really looked to blood guys who would need to step up in the case of key players not being fit. Am thinking here especially at half back, the reliance on Murray and Sexton staying fit gets more and more to a fingers crossed situation than genuinely building strength in depth.

I do think had we won the first Test then things would have been different. They need to balance the development aspect with winning to a degree. We couldn't have come home having lost 3-0. And now with a series decider on the line I don't think anyone would really be happy for us to "throw" it in favour of development.

But say we won the first Test, then we rotate a bit in the second knowing that worst case scenarios was that we had a series decider in Sydney anyway. That way we get 2 Tests with decent rotation and good blooding of players. Losing the first Test meant we needed to win the second.

phog

I think Kearney, Earls, Henshaw, Murray, James Ryan, POM & CJ have started all 3 Summer Series of game - Scrumhalf is a real concern with Joe only giving the reserves a few minutes here and there.

I assume he'll start one of them v Italy, USA and possibly Argentina in the AIs but we have to hope Murray is fit for the WC.

thomond2006

phog wrote: »

I think Kearney, Earls, Henshaw, Murray, James Ryan, POM & CJ have started all 3 Summer Series of game - Scrumhalf is a real concern with Joe only giving the reserves a few minutes here and there.

I assume he'll start one of them v Italy, USA and possibly Argentina in the AIs but we have to hope Murray is fit for the WC.

I think a series win is worth going for and that means Murray starts. I agree that Murray should be starting max 2 of the AIs.

May Contain Small Parts

O'Mahony at 7 is unbelievable.
His style of play is just a world apart from what it needs - really he plays more like a second row.

He may have a fine game, but we'll really miss not having and openside.

Sycamore Tree

What is the Ringrose injury?

Squidgy Black

Sycamore Tree wrote: »

What is the Ringrose injury?

Foot apparently

CurryFlavoured

I'm happy to see Conan but I think the backrow lacks balance with POM at 7. 
Ringrose is only a significant loss if our centres hit bad form, because quality wise Aki and Henshaw are two excellent players. Hopefully they click well this time.

Podge_irl

CurryFlavoured wrote: »

Ringrose is only a significant loss if our centres hit bad form, because quality wise Aki and Henshaw are two excellent players. Hopefully they click well this time.

Don't really agree with that. Aki and Henshaw are indeed very good players but Ringrose is a class above at 13, especially in defence.

Squidgy Black

May Contain Small Parts wrote: »

O'Mahony at 7 is unbelievable.
His style of play is just a world apart from what it needs - really he plays more like a second row.

He may have a fine game, but we'll really miss not having and openside.

We don't have another openside in the squad though. Jordi isn't an openside by definition, he's a 6/8 who can cover 7.

Nermal

Genia a bigger loss to them than anything we have suffered.

May Contain Small Parts

Squidgy Black wrote: »

We don't have another openside in the squad though. Jordi isn't an openside by definition, he's a 6/8 who can cover 7.

Agree on what murphy is, but that's the most suitable we've got. O'Mahony is the lease suitable (Even if you include the second-rows, he's the least suitable bar Toner).
Heck, Conan would probably make a pretty good job of it, he's got most of what it takes.

I think it's wishful thinking from Joe?

Bridge93

Mad that we're essentially at what is probably our 5th choice openside and it's somebody as good as POM.

irishbucsfan

May Contain Small Parts wrote: »

Agree on what murphy is, but that's the most suitable we've got. O'Mahony is the lease suitable (Even if you include the second-rows, he's the least suitable bar Toner).
Heck, Conan would probably make a pretty good job of it, he's got most of what it takes.

I think it's wishful thinking from Joe?

What makes Murphy "most suitable" and POM "least suitable"?

Squidgy Black

May Contain Small Parts wrote: »

Agree on what murphy is, but that's the most suitable we've got. O'Mahony is the lease suitable (Even if you include the second-rows, he's the least suitable bar Toner).
Heck, Conan would probably make a pretty good job of it, he's got most of what it takes.

I think it's wishful thinking from Joe?

O'Mahony was superb at the breakdown last week. He had more impact in an 'openside' effect than any other player over the last two tests.

Not sure where this is all coming from. Just because he's solid in the lineout doesn't mean he plays like a second row.

phog

thomond2006 wrote: »

I think a series win is worth going for and that means Murray starts. I agree that Murray should be starting max 2 of the AIs.

I'm not so sure it is - also if we lose the series we have a double whammy of losing the series and not giving game time to a reserve scrumhalf 18 months out from the WC.

I assume he'll have to start one to be match fit for the ABs but then that leaves us with only 2 games for the reserves which makes it even more difficult to understand the game time they've got this series.

We're fecked if they're not available for the AIs after almost ignoring them in this series and the 6Ns.

May Contain Small Parts

Bridge93 wrote: »

Mad that we're essentially at what is probably our 5th choice openside and it's somebody as good as POM.

He isn't