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

Former Coach wrote: »

Not sure what you are trying to say here! On one hand you're saying he's not interested in publicity and pouting at the cameras, then you're saying that he thinks he's better than he is. All this despite never having met him.
I'd suggest you speak with somebody who knows him or make it your business to meet and talk with him. You might then understand why he is so highly respected among his team-mates and is a huge favourite with Connacht supporters (he and Bundee are more often than not the last players to get to the changing rooms after matches so that as many supporters as possible can get autographs and photographs.

The poster was referring to Rob Kearney 'thinking he is better than he is' but that doesn't make the post any better.

On another note, this thread has been largely horrific to read the last 24 hours. I would like to see TOH in the squad but jesus, Ireland beat SA by thirty plus, have added a few great options with Stockdale, Aki, Ruddock (know he's been involved before but yesterday may be a turning point for his international career).

What would it be like if SA won?!

Can see Joe trying out combinations in the next two games while keeping one part of it experienced.

Probably see Henderson start with either Dillane or Ryan, then Toner with the other.
Murray with Carberry or Keatley for one game and Sexton pairing with McGrath or Marmion in the other.
Mc Closkey-Henshaw and Aki-Farrell. Backrow will keep at least one of last week's starters.

With Zebo gone and question marks about Payne, we really need to give someone gametime at fullback. Conway or Carberry should get at least one start there.

I think the guiding influence will be about prepping the squad to cope with injuries by having squad members comfortable stepping in.

Hastentoadd wrote: »

Personally i think conways best position is on the wing and stockdale could be our next fullback. Someone mentioned about wrapping this team in cotton wool. I dont agree. I think this team needs to have some degree of consistency about it to give players the opportunity to gel. It was great that joe gave the team a fresh look and i just hope he maintains that going forward. Lots to be positive about after saturday

Has stockdale ever played 15?

Burkie1203 wrote: »

Has stockdale ever played 15?

He mostly played full back for the u20s I think.

ClanofLams wrote: »

The poster was referring to Rob Kearney 'thinking he is better than he is' but that doesn't make the post any better.

On another note, this thread has been largely horrific to read the last 24 hours. I would like to see TOH in the squad but jesus, Ireland beat SA by thirty plus, have added a few great options with Stockdale, Aki, Ruddock (know he's been involved before but yesterday may be a turning point for his international career).

What would it be like if SA won?!

Agreed, it was a very good performance ( granted against a relatively poor Boks team) and the opportunity to give inexperienced guys big-match experience was taken.

Hastentoadd wrote: »

Many times for Ulster

Define many times. I can't recall that many.

damianmcr wrote: »

Define many times. I can't recall that many.

many (ˈmɛnɪ)
determiner
1.
a. a large number of: many coaches; many times.
b. (as pronoun; functioning as plural): many are seated already.
2. (foll by: a, an, or another, and a singular noun) each of a considerable number of: many a man.
3.
a. a great number of: as many apples as you like; too many clouds to see.
b. (as pronoun; functioning as plural): I have as many as you.
n
the many the majority of mankind, esp the common people: the many are kept in ignorance while the few prosper. Compare few7
[Old English manig; related to Old Frisian manich, Middle Dutch menech, Old High German manag]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

Just checked the definition of many and you may have a point :-)

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I really don't think Stockdale has played 15 that much for Ulster

He started there against Munster (don't think he had a great game if memory serves me right). He may have started in another game and has maybe there mid game, but the majority of his rugby for Ulster has been on the wing. He has probably played 13 as much as FB for us. But he did play 15 for the U20s a bit as well so he wouldn't be unfamiliar with the position, but he is going great guns on the wing so if it ain't broke don't fix it.

prawnsambo wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

You should. Everybody should. Instead of saying "Conway will bench, play 10 min as FB, we're good to go for RWC". Or worse "look Sweetnam starts against Fiji, and create excuses when it's back to Rob for any meaningful games" (no disrespect for Fiji but...)

I think you've a tenuous grip on reality.

Attributing stuff random posters say here to what the coach will do is lunacy. Beacuse you have a favourite player who wasn't picked, somehow makes the coaches wrong and you right is pretty much the same.

If not lunacy, then arrogance. There's always the possibility that you're just flat wrong. That possibility never seems to occur to you.

Did I quote TOH? No I didn't.
I'd prefer Sweetman/Conway/Stockdale (or TOH of course) to prepare 2019.
I don't think I'm so wrong saying Rob is limited and will be more for RWC. And it's not about squad inclusion, training. It's about facing proper international opposition.
How many games of that kind remain before September 2019?
Argentina once, England twice, Australia thrice. + maybe 3 or 4 high-level friendlies in Nov 2018/August 2019
9/10 games in which I'd like to see somewhere else than Kearney starting, sometimes.

connachta wrote: »

Did I quote TOH? No I didn't.

Did I?

connachta wrote: »

I'd prefer Sweetman/Conway/Stockdale (or TOH of course) to prepare 2019.
I don't think I'm so wrong saying Rob is limited and will be more for RWC. And it's not about squad inclusion, training. It's about facing proper international opposition.
How many games of that kind remain before September 2019?
Argentina once, England twice, Australia thrice. + maybe 3 or 4 high-level friendlies in Nov 2018/August 2019
9/10 games in which I'd like to see somewhere else than Kearney starting, sometimes.

And yet you ignore the thrust of my post. You don't think the coaches have a plan despite numerous instances of them picking players who miraculously seem to fit into the team and at the very least don't look out of place.

I get the impression that they won't be making that many changes this week. From the42

“When we first came in two weeks ago, we said bottom line is you’ve to earn what you get,”

“You’ve to really commit to what we’re trying to achieve and the energy levels have to be good. Guys have built to that really well, nobody’s let the side down. It will allow us to expand a little bit.

“But there’s a degree of comfort in that uncomfortable arena the Test match ensures exists for players to have a bit of a spine of experience, for guys who’ve been there and under pressure before, who know what the best decision is and everyone commits to that decision.”

Might see rotation of guys like Jack McGrath, Rhys Ruddock etc.

prawnsambo wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Did I quote TOH? No I didn't.

Did I?

connachta wrote: »

I'd prefer Sweetman/Conway/Stockdale (or TOH of course) to prepare 2019.
I don't think I'm so wrong saying Rob is limited and will be more for RWC. And it's not about squad inclusion, training. It's about facing proper international opposition.
How many games of that kind remain before September 2019?
Argentina once, England twice, Australia thrice. + maybe 3 or 4 high-level friendlies in Nov 2018/August 2019
9/10 games in which I'd like to see somewhere else than Kearney starting, sometimes.

And yet you ignore the thrust of my post. You don't think the coaches have a plan despite numerous instances of them picking players who miraculously seem to fit into the team and at the very least don't look out of place.

You ignore my point too, which is giving gametime to TOH against Japan or Sweetnam/Conway against Fidji. Same if Stockdale is n°15 against Italy/Scotland for 6 nations. It is not enough to prepare plan B (Plan A IMO, but that's subject to controversy), against real RWC opposition (Barrett, Folau...)

molloyjh wrote: »

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I get the impression that they won't be making that many changes this week.  From the42  



Might see rotation of guys like Jack McGrath, Rhys Ruddock etc.

I'd be surprised if we didn't take the opportunity to get some others game time. Something like the below has a good bit of experience in the pack and some consistency in the back line yet is also getting other guys involved.

McGrath Herring Ryan
Henderson Ryan
Ruddock Conan SOB

Marmion Carbery
Aki Henshaw
Stockdale Kearney Conway

Tracy, Furlong, Kilcoyne, Treadwell, TOD, McGrath, Keatley, Byrne

Dillane should be ahead of Treadwell in the picking order as the latter was released with province. Not 100% but still an indication...

Deleted User wrote: »

connachta wrote: »

Dillane should be ahead of Treadwell in the picking order as the latter was released with province. Not 100% but still an indication...

Dillane warmed up with the team on sat.

So another indication. He should be at least on the bench...

molloyjh wrote: »

I'd be surprised if we didn't take the opportunity to get some others game time. Something like the below has a good bit of experience in the pack and some consistency in the back line yet is also getting other guys involved.

McGrath Herring Ryan
Henderson Ryan
Ruddock Conan SOB

Marmion Carbery
Aki Henshaw
Stockdale Kearney Conway

Tracy, Furlong, Kilcoyne, Treadwell, TOD, McGrath, Keatley, Byrne

TOD went for a scan on a shoulder injury. I haven't seen word yet but I imagine he's out.

Aside from consistency of selection etc., Fiji seemed to give Italy a good game so I wouldn't be quick to send out a full second side.