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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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Buer

mahoney_j wrote: »

I’m sure it’s been mentioned but rob /Dave Kearney in neither in any form ,Zebo now far better player and in form just turned out ,not good enough best players should be picked regardless .

If they did that, it would be to the detriment of the Irish team which is the foundation of Irish rugby financially.

Look at Wales...no 6N titles since 2013. In 2013 and 2014 Halfpenny, Roberts, Lydiate, Charteris, Jonathan Davies, Hibbard, North and Bradley Davies all left Wales.

The impact on the national team has been huge culminating in them finishing 5th in the 6N this year.

You can't remain at the top of test rugby if you don't have regular access to your players whilst your competitors do.

Erik Shin

thomond2006 wrote: »

POM and Stander are out of contract at the end of this season. This does send a warning shot eh?

And POM seems to be very much appreciated abroad...but would think he's a guy that wants to stay at home, and Ironically enough, that loyalty could potentially cost him in contract talks with the IRFU

Utah_Saint

How much game time have the two Kearney's had this season?
Byrne should be there instead of IK as backup 10.

More shocked at those two decisions than Zebo being dropped.

Neil3030

thomond2006 wrote: »

POM and Stander are out of contract at the end of this season. This does send a warning shot eh?

That's actually a really good point - for all the anger that may be floating around Munster right now with Zebo's omission, Joe could actually be helping to keep other players like Stander and POM from leaving.

mahoney_j

I’m sure it’s been mentioned but rob /Dave Kearney in neither in any form ,Zebo now far better player and in form just turned out ,not good enough best players should be picked regardless .

Buer

Erik Shin wrote: »

And POM seems to be very much appreciated abroad...but would think he's a guy that wants to stay at home, and Ironically enough, that loyalty could potentially cost him in contract talks with the IRFU

I've no doubt it will. Shane Horgan spoke about it before. The IRFU will try and low ball guys if they don't think they're going to leave the country; he mentioned that he believed Munster players had specifically been victims of it in the past.

I don't think POM will entertain any foreign moves...it's not in his make up. The deal will be done quietly for good money (although not near what he would get elsewhere) and I reckon the first we'll know about it will be the press release.

Stander has relocated his life once....I can't see him doing it again particularly with the RWC on the horizon. He'll command a serious wedge given he's a nailed on Irish starter which POM currently isn't (but possibly will be again in a month).

Erik Shin

Who plays full for the AI series...im making the massive assumption that Rob won't make it...who's next in line

Burkie1203

Erik Shin wrote: »

Who plays full for the AI series...im making the massive assumption that Rob won't make it...who's next in line

Kearney or conway

Carbery v fiji

[Deleted User]

Erik Shin wrote: »

Who plays full for the AI series...im making the massive assumption that Rob won't make it...who's next in line

Rob is due to play this weekend so we'll probably have an idea then. I'd imagine the hope is for him to start SA and someone else to start Fiji and a decision to be made subsequently on Argentina.

[Deleted User]

Buer wrote: »

Stander has relocated his life once....I can't see him doing it again particularly with the RWC on the horizon. He'll command a serious wedge given he's a nailed on Irish starter which POM currently isn't (but possibly will be again in a month).

Don't think Stander is as nailed on as this time last year, his form has dropped and if he doesn't turn it around Conan could replace him,

Erik Shin wrote: »

Who plays full for the AI series...im making the massive assumption that Rob won't make it...who's next in line

Looking at the squad I'd say Conway, he played full back during summer tour, maybe have a look at stockdale there against fiji

Buer

ronnoco13 wrote: »

Don't think Stander is as nailed on as this time last year, his form has dropped and if he doesn't turn it around Conan could replace him,

If that did happen (and I don't think it's going to happen this autumn anyway), I'd expect him just to move over to 6.

Bridge93

I'd imagine RK being picked is largely predicated on Zebo leaving and Payne missing. Presumably they want someone who is a regular fullback in the squad. Carbery and Conway the backups?
O Halloran missing out is slightly perplexing. Lack of experience at this level and injury the excuses I'd imagine

Dave Kearney makes no sense to me personally.

Cronin just hasn't been fit enough for long enough. Disappointing Scannell is injured.

Luke Marshall the notable centre out for me with Ringrose injured. Scannell too I suppose but his form is shadow of what it was up to Christmas.

Made their call on Zebo. No need for me to comment, enough will be said.

Heaslip still seems to have no return date. VdF missing out with his ankle is disappointing but TOD has been munsters stand out back row so fairplay to him. Jordi Murphy begins the long road back.

Keatley over Byrne is much for muchness as far as I'm concerned.

[Deleted User]

Buer wrote: »

If that did happen (and I don't think it's going to happen this autumn anyway), I'd expect him just to move over to 6.

fair point, come 6N if VDF and SOB are fit he could find himself on the bench

Erik Shin

My one bugbear with this non selection of Zebo is that Joe should just have given a proper explanation at the conference...seems poor Murray is being stuck with all the awkward questions...if Joe drops Zebo...fine... no argument... but explain why... don't deflect and let someone else take the heat...it doesn't look good imo

Dravokivich

Utah_Saint wrote: »

How much game time have the two Kearney's had this season?
Byrne should be there instead of IK as backup 10.

More shocked at those two decisions than Zebo being dropped.

I think they'd be very unlikely to take 3 out halves from 1 province.

wp_rathead

Don't fully understand both Rob and Dave over TOH, who can play 15, 14 and 11 and has been playing well
While I'm glad to see Bundee and McCloskey in the squad it's a shame Scannell didn't make it as I'm a big fan of his style. Very surprised no Marshall picked also - I've no big opinion on Farrell yet
Also happy for Sweetnam, I rate his overall game more than Byrne (who reminds me of Healy in that he is electric going forward but can be suspect defensively/positionally)
Looking forward to seeing more James Ryan on international stage too

arsebiscuits1

Erik Shin wrote: »

My one bugbear with this non selection of Zebo is that Joe should just have given a proper explanation at the conference...seems poor Murray is being stuck with all the awkward questions...if Joe drops Zebo...fine... no argument... but explain why... don't deflect and let someone else take the heat...it doesn't look good imo

There was no conference.

The 42 reported that Murrays quotes came from before the squad was announced

aloooof

Bridge93 wrote: »

[Rory] Scannell too I suppose but his form is shadow of what it was up to Christmas.

I'd disagree with this to be honest, I think he's been very good for us again this season. I was hoping he'd start against Fiji at least.

irishbucsfan

Erik Shin wrote: »

My one bugbear with this non selection of Zebo is that Joe should just have given a proper explanation at the conference...seems poor Murray is being stuck with all the awkward questions...if Joe drops Zebo...fine... no argument... but explain why... don't deflect and let someone else take the heat...it doesn't look good imo

I don’t think there was a press conference

jacothelad

Buer wrote: »

Christ. He's a rugby coach not an Avenger.

He'd be a nailed on starter..........:D:D

irishbucsfan

jacothelad wrote: »

He'd be a nailed on starter..........:D:D

Great coach though.

Dodgy enough player, kept getting done for crossing

Former Former

Bridge93 wrote: »

I'd imagine RK being picked is largely predicated on Zebo leaving and Payne missing. Presumably they want someone who is a regular fullback in the squad. Carbery and Conway the backups?
O Halloran missing out is slightly perplexing. Lack of experience at this level and injury the excuses I'd imagine

Rob Kearney was always going to be picked regardless of Zebo being in or not.
TOH just isn't being picked because Joe doesn't rate him. He never has.

Squidgy Black

Farrell being picked is probably another incentive for players to come back to the provinces, shows that a player who returns from abroad has a chance of playing on the international stage.

I reckon we could see Stockdale at 15 vs Fiji if Conway isn't picked. Also be interesting to see what kind of role Carbery plays, whether it's at 22 covering 10/15 or if he'll be in the mix for the 15 jersey.

Byrne getting picked is great I think. Should give him some real confidence after being involved with the camps earlier this year. Interesting that he was left out of the 23 for Leinster v Glasgow but still got the call up for the AIs, shows that Joe reckons he has the potential to improve his defense.

jacothelad

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Great coach though.

Dodgy enough player, kept getting done for crossing

His miracle recoveries are well known though and his speed coming back from injury is hard to believe.....:D:D

molloyjh

jacothelad wrote: »

His miracle recoveries are well known though and his speed coming back from injury is hard to believe.....:D:D

Huh.....

molloyjh

phog wrote: »

If dropping Zebo is the right call then Beirne should be named in the squad.

Not selecting Zebo = gives another player plying his trade in Ireland now and next season a chance.

Not selecting Beirne = gives another player plying his trade in Ireland now and next season a chance.

So depending on how you look at it the two are completely compatible decisions.

Yeah_Right

irishfan9 wrote: »

If you are outside the system or agree a contract outside the system, then you can't play for Ireland. That's how it has to be.

I agree. Sort of. I can see the logic of moving on from a player who isn't going to be there come the RWC but it is a shame for Zebo. He's a good player and exciting to watch (usually). I would have liked to see them there for the 6 Nations but there's no room for sentimentality in top level sports.

Now I'm wondering if you would agree that a player who agrees to a contract within the Irish system and is good should be selected for the Irish team.

molloyjh

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I agree. Sort of. I can see the logic of moving on from a player who isn't going to be there come the RWC but it is a shame for Zebo. He's a good player and exciting to watch (usually). I would have liked to see them there for the 6 Nations but there's no room for sentimentality in top level sports.

Now I'm wondering if you would agree that a player who agrees to a contract within the Irish system and is good should be selected for the Irish team.

I timed this well anyway.

molloyjh wrote: »

Not selecting Zebo = gives another player plying his trade in Ireland now and next season a chance.

Not selecting Beirne = gives another player plying his trade in Ireland now and next season a chance.

So depending on how you look at it the two are completely compatible decisions.

Buer

People are overlooking the simple fact that Beirne has not played well for the last month. Even if the Scarlets were an Irish team there's a reasonable chance he wouldn't be in the squad. He had three very quiet games on the trot and picked himself up 2 yellow cards in that time. Even allowing for the fact that he's playing out of position, he has largely been anonymous of late.

Yeah_Right

My point was more related to project players not Beirne

As the poster I was quoting has had a few issues with project players?

Beirne is under contract with the Scarlets so I imagine there would be issues getting him into all the Irish camps.