TheCitizen wrote: » And despite what the 'experts' on here might say, you can't have one rule for Sexton and another for everyone else.
TheCitizen wrote: » That's a strange decision. You can't force players to remain in Ireland long term, it will unravel. And despite what the 'experts' on here might say, you can't have one rule for Sexton and another for everyone else. The IRFU need to come up with some sort of middle ground, maybe a player can sign up to a 2 year contract in England or France and still be available to be picked for Ireland, but after that they will be told they'll be replaced. It's way too draconian as it is now. The IRFU will be changing that policy sooner or later, that's for certain. The question is are they going to manage it with a bit of creativity or will they just react and firefight desperately.
Burkie1203 wrote: » If players leave en masse, and i mean 6-7-8 top players from each province, that makes it harder for the provinces to remain competitive (in Europe especially). The knock on is loss of revenue which hurts the provinces even more. Then the provinces have to recruit from outside which means added expense for players who have little value at national level. If they cant recruit top level guys Then guys coming into academies are playing in squads with a lower all round ability. So they arent training or playing at the same standard as now. The influence of overseas coaches at provinces has been huge. Attracting coaches of that standard then becomes tougher. At national team level the prep time if players overseas are selected is reduced drastically because you will have guys rocking up with injuries/knocks. Or in need of recovery rest time. Currently the national side gets together 2 weeks before AI or 6n. They have proper lead in with releases to provinces managed on a gametime required basis. For the provinces to remain competitive and the IRFU to remain strong financially (they fund the provinces substantially) we need a strong national side. Otherwise we end up like the lovechild of Wales and Scotland. IRFU have one trump card. There is also a pile of players out of contract next may. If they have international ambitions then they now know where they have to be to realise them.
Marina Old-fashioned Locket wrote: » Poor old Zebo, born 4 years too late. 2 crucial points 1. If furlong said he was leaving tomorrow I wonder what Uncle Joes policy would be then.
Marina Old-fashioned Locket wrote: » 2. World player of the year cannot be used to validate anything - driscoll never winning devalues the whole competition. Sexton is a great player and is crucial to Ireland. He has and never will be a world class 10. Examples of World class would be wilkinson, carter, lynam, and barrett now. Lets keep things real on here.
irishbucsfan wrote: » I mean maybe you're more of an expert than me, but it looks like that's exactly what they have.
Marina Old-fashioned Locket wrote: » 2. World player of the year cannot be used to validate anything - driscoll never winning devalues the whole competition. Sexton is a great player and is crucial to Ireland. He has and never will be a world class 10. Examples of World class would be wilkinson, carter, lynam, and barrett now.
TheCitizen wrote: » I think the Sexton decision is hypocritical and the rugby 'experts' here seem likely to stonewall on that siting he had it in his contract to be available for Ireland camps etc. I can see why the IRFU have made the decision they've made but Sexton should've been left out as well when he was in France. I still think the IRFU policy is draconian. Zebo shouldn't be dropped while he's still playing for Munster and I think maybe a 2 year timeframe could be looked at.
CIARAN_BOYLE wrote: » The other element is of course it's not one deal for Zebo and one for everyone else. Sexton made the effort of reducing his potential racing salary by circa 100k per annum so that he could attend 30+ international training days outside of the international window. Zebo hasn't done that.
errlloyd wrote: » Would it be fair to say that other than Sexy, Keatley and Carbery none of those backs are particularly good at passing the ball. I really hope Carbs gets a run at 15, otherwise we're here for Warren Ball.
RichieRich89 wrote: » The real problem, as I see it, is the lack of a passing option at 15 (unless Carbery plays there, obviously). The attack was very predictable with Conway at fullback against the Japs. Earls, Sweetnam and Farrell are good passers, and McCloskey's not bad either. Farrell's excellent passing game was on show in the Leinster-Munster match a few weeks back
connachta wrote: » Aside Aki/Zebo trolls, let's calm down we're nearly 2 years before RWC Those who are hard done by Schmidt now have smth like 20 international games to push for their inclusion, and can be noticed in big games starting interpros this week-end 1) any hooker better than Herring 2) TOH 3) Scannell 4) Cooney 5) Beirne
Burkie1203 wrote: » 1. I have no issue with Herring selection. 2. Joe doesn't rate him. Id love to know why. But in this case with so many new faces we need a few experienced heads. 3. Unlucky but Henshaw and McCloskey are fair calls 4. Cooney is 4th choice 5. Ireland camp begins sunday. Beirne not available until monday week
RichieRich89 wrote: » the Japs.
prawnsambo wrote: » Same as it was when Marty Moore left I suspect. You'd be pretty much alone in that opinion.
Marina Old-fashioned Locket wrote: » furlong is currently world class to borrow a term you would understand. Regards sexton, biased fanboys of any player will never admit reality. So lets leave it there.
Yeah_Right wrote: » Who are Driscoll and Lynam? Been watching rugby for a while now and can't think of any world class players with those names. Also, you are wrong. Sexton is world class. And a few years ago he probably was the best number 10 in the game (as much as it pains me to admit).
Marina Old-fashioned Locket wrote: » I have given out about Schmidt on here alot and I stand by that. He is a very strange coach. Unless scannel, cronin and ohalloran are injured there is no justification. all in all we will always under perform with Schmidt as he always refused to pick the best available players. but with Schmidt there is always some illogical picks and more illogical posts on here backing those same Schmidt picks.
Deleted User wrote: » And Gatland, the biggest biased fanboy of them all, considered him the best fly half in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales only last summer.
prawnsambo wrote: » Let's not. yeah_right is a Kiwi. Perhaps you'd want to reconsider who exactly is the fanboy in light of that fact? But I'm glad to see that you're resortng to playing the man since you clearly can't play the ball. The obvious shortcoming in your argument is obvious. :pac:
Yeah_Right wrote: » I think it's ridiculous that people think TOH should have been included over RK. There are four uncapped players in the midfield and back three. Another four players covering those spots have about 10 caps between them. DK is the 6th most experienced test player the backline with a massive 16 caps. But sure what could RK and all the experience he picked up in 70+ test matches, bring to a squad full of newbies? Obviously TOH and all his test experience would be much more useful.
mfceiling wrote: » Are his picks strange because he didn't pick the exact same players you would have? Could you name a few of the "best available players" he didn't pick and give reasons as to why he picked the alternatives?
Burkie1203 wrote: » Reality Led Leinster to 3 heineken cups Led ireland to back to back 6n titles Started 5 of the last 6 lions tests losing only one of those that he started He is clearly a world class player. Marty Moore was very much part of Joe's plans at the time he left because there was even talk of him trying to get out of his wasps contract. At that stage Furlong was nowhere near the player he is now. Your comparing Furlong of today against Moore a few seasons ago.
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