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Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread VIII - MOD NOTE POST #4781

Steve

Continuing on from the previous thread....

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Wegians89

What ever about Kearney, if paynes fit I'd have him first choice 15, earls on one wing and last spot up for grabs between a few

molloyjh

Buer wrote: »

He had plenty of game time under his belt going into the NZ game last year including starting both Leinster's ECC games in the lead up. He won't have that or close to it this time around. I can't see Schmidt giving him the nod.

I just don't see him being involved. If he doesn't feature against SA, I'm not sure he should feature at all. He's getting on in age now and I'd be happy to examine other options. I'm not even sure his spot at Leinster is going to be secure by the end of this season.

He's back training this week so could in theory get a couple of games under his belt between now and then. In fact he likely will get the Ulster and Glasgow games in the league I reckon. If he can come back strong he has a chance of being involved in some way at this stage. And while I broadly agree with what you're saying, I'm just trying to point out that people have been writing him off as a dreadful selection for some time now. If he is selected, and it's a big if, then there'll be reason behind it. Just like there was this time last year when people were saying the same thing and he played a blinder against NZ.

[Deleted User]

molloyjh wrote: »

People were saying that this time last year and he had a cracking game against NZ. I'm not saying he should be selected, but people tend to be far too quick writing players off. If he trains with Ireland and proves himself there then he should be in the mix. It's not like Joe is going to select an inferior player for the craic.

It's a totally different situation to last season, he'd played much more rugby this time last year. He also wasn't injured for the entire end of the 15/16 season.

molloyjh

Interested Observer wrote: »

It's a totally different situation to last season, he'd played much more rugby this time last year. He also wasn't injured for the entire end of the 15/16 season.

I'm not sure what his injury profile from 6 months before selection have to do with anything tbh. Sure, any chance he has is an outside one. But with 3 Leinster games available to him in the next 3 weeks he has a shot to prove himself again. And if he is selected, bearing in mind it's his selection you are talking about, then there will be good reason for that. Joe doesn't do this stuff by lucky dip. And he has proven the likes of us wrong on more than one occasion in the past.

I'm not saying Rob will be selected or that he should be. Just that if he is I have enough faith in our coaching team to believe there's good reason for the selection.

Former Former

molloyjh wrote: »

I'm not sure what his injury profile from 6 months before selection have to do with anything tbh. Sure, any chance he has is an outside one. But with 3 Leinster games available to him in the next 3 weeks he has a shot to prove himself again. And if he is selected, bearing in mind it's his selection you are talking about, then there will be good reason for that. Joe doesn't do this stuff by lucky dip. And he has proven the likes of us wrong on more than one occasion in the past.

I'm not saying Rob will be selected or that he should be. Just that if he is I have enough faith in our coaching team to believe there's good reason for the selection.

I don't think a guy who has been the undisputed first choice for nine years is in with an "outside chance" tbh. If he's fit, he'll go into training camp and anything could happen after that.

He won't feature this weekend, but if he plays against Ulster and makes it through unscathed, then the picture changes dramatically.

Like you, I'm not saying he should be selected. I'm just wondering how people can be so sure that he won't be, when all the evidence over many years says the exact opposite.

clsmooth

You’d think a run of games with Leinster whilst the other internationals are away would be in RK’s best interests rather than parachuting him back into the Irish squad with no rugby under his belt. Don’t think that would be particularly fair to him. A fit and in form RK would be a great option to have come 6N. The question is can he stay fit and get a run of games under his belt to get some form.

RichieRich89

Think I'd go with 15. Zebo, 14. Earls, 11. Stockdale for SA and Argentina, and 15. O'Halloran, 14. Sweetnam, 11. Stockdale for Fiji. O'Loughlin, Ludik and O'Halloran (if he's not starting) in the mix for the 23 jersey

Wegians89

I know it's a bit a green bias but darragh leader as a dark horse to be in the squad? Was in Irish squads as a 19 year old before his bad injuries, playing well this year so far. Big lad, big boot and good under a high ball, goal kicks and versatile enough to play 15,14,11 and 13 at a push. Seems like a player joe would love

aloooof

RichieRich89 wrote: »

Think I'd go with 15. Zebo, 14. Earls, 11. Stockdale for SA and Argentina, and 15. O'Halloran, 14. Sweetnam, 11. Stockdale for Fiji. O'Loughlin, Ludik and O'Halloran (if he's not starting) in the mix for the 23 jersey

I'd be surprised if Conway doesn't start one of the games tho, he's in the mix for wing/FB as well.

MJohnston

I think we're all quietly overlooking Louis Ludik here. Not a massive star or anything, but I think he's exactly the kind of well-rounded, solid, dependable player that Schmidt would love.

bilston

MJohnston wrote: »

I think we're all quietly overlooking Louis Ludik here. Not a massive star or anything, but I think he's exactly the kind of well-rounded, solid, dependable player that Schmidt would love.

He's the new Fergus McFadden

MJohnston

McFadden never had a nickname like Leg-Drive Ludik though

Dog Botherer

MJohnston wrote: »

McFadden never had a nickname like Leg-Drive Ludik though

Fadso

stephen_n

Wegians89 wrote: »

I know it's a bit a green bias but darragh leader as a dark horse to be in the squad? Was in Irish squads as a 19 year old before his bad injuries, playing well this year so far. Big lad, big boot and good under a high ball, goal kicks and versatile enough to play 15,14,11 and 13 at a push. Seems like a player joe would love

Has leader locked down a starting place for Connacht this season? Versatility can sometimes be a bad thing too if he's not seen as good enough to be in Connacht's first choice team?

b.gud

stephen_n wrote: »

Has leader locked down a starting place for Connacht this season? Versatility can sometimes be a bad thing too if he's not seen as good enough to be in Connacht's first choice team?

With the new management in place I think the only people who've fully locked down a starting place are Aki, Marmion, Butler and Buckley. KK has been rotating/trying out a lot of new combos to try and get a feel of his first choice 15 so it's hard to say who the definite starters are in most of the positions.

I think Leader has played all but 1 game this season, he started at full back ahead of O'Halloran and has played more minutes than any other back 3 player in Connacht this season so he is probably a starter for us so far this season.

Personally I don't think he'll make the Ireland squad just trying to answer your question about wether or not he's first choice

stephen_n

b.gud wrote: »

With the new management in place I think the only people who've fully locked down a starting place are Aki, Marmion, Butler and Buckley. KK has been rotating/trying out a lot of new combos to try and get a feel of his first choice 15 so it's hard to say who the definite starters are in most of the positions.

I think Leader has played all but 1 game this season, he started at full back ahead of O'Halloran and has played more minutes than any other back 3 player in Connacht this season so he is probably a starter for us so far this season.

Personally I don't think he'll make the Ireland squad just trying to answer your question about wether or not he's first choice

Well then he is kind of first choice versatile player. Still think that would make it very hard to get a call up though.

thomond2006

No return date for Payne. He can be ruled out of next month.

Wegians89

thomond2006 wrote: »

No return date for Payne. He can be ruled out of next month.

You'd have to wonder, what are the chances himself and heaslip will ever wear green again

Former Former

thomond2006 wrote: »

No return date for Payne. He can be ruled out of next month.

And Ringrose still not back training.

A Henshaw - Aki midfield looks inevitable.

MJohnston

Payne sounds like he has some kind of neurological issue there, I really hope he gets better, purely for his own sake, as it sounds particularly ominous.

Burkie1203

MJohnston wrote: »

Payne sounds like he has some kind of neurological issue there, I really hope he gets better, purely for his own sake, as it sounds particularly ominous.

Reminds me a little of the Shontayne Hape story

CatFromHue

haven't seen it mentioned but we're going to Oz this Summer, a 3 test series.

Saturday, 9 June – Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Saturday, 16 June – AAMI Park, Melbourne
Saturday, 23 June – Allianz Stadium, Sydney

The Pro14 final is on the 26th May so there's two full weeks between it and the first test, so the players will be able to get a bit of a break for the series.

Though I wouldnt be surprised to see a game against the baa baas arranged mid week either before after the pro 14 final.

Bridge93

Weighing up my options about heading down for the tour. Australia is a fantastic country to visit. 3 brilliant cities to see

molloyjh

Bridge93 wrote: »

Weighing up my options about heading down for the tour. Australia is a fantastic country to visit. 3 brilliant cities to see

I could take or leave Sydney tbh. Melbourne though is class. Pity they've no interest in rugby there...

bilston

A 3 test series in Australia will be a great challenge. It will tell us a lot about where we are just over a year out from the WC.

Neil3030

Has anyone ever done LAX -> Aus, is it a nasty flight? I'll likely be in California next June. Might go over if it's not crazy logistically.

Edit, so just seeing here it's a 13hr flight for around 900, but I'd need to leave a day in advance with the time difference. But flying back, I arrive 4 hours before I took off!

stephen_n

Neil3030 wrote: »

But flying back, I arrive 4 hours before I took off!

That's bizzare

Hastentoadd

MJohnston wrote: »

Payne sounds like he has some kind of neurological issue there, I really hope he gets better, purely for his own sake, as it sounds particularly ominous.

Last I heard of Payne was headaches on the Lions tour. That is never a good sign

The Rape of Lucretia

Former Former wrote: »

A Henshaw - Aki midfield looks inevitable.

That would be grotesque.

Has Aki ever even confirmed he would swallow his disappointment at not making it as an AB and lining out for Irl ?

Paul Smeenus

molloyjh wrote: »

Bridge93 wrote: »

Weighing up my options about heading down for the tour. Australia is a fantastic country to visit. 3 brilliant cities to see

I could take or leave Sydney tbh. Melbourne though is class. Pity they've no interest in rugby there...

I have family in Melbourne. Great city. Sydney not so much.
Was in Brisbane for a brief visit - really liked what I saw of it, and sport generally seems much more a part of life there than in Melbourne.