Ireland vs Wales 24th Feb 2:15

mfceiling · 24-02-2018 05:13PM

IIGeminiII wrote: »

Stockdale taking far too much of a risk there at the end. Could have opened up the defensive line for the Welsh or knocked on the ball. Sure, he scored a try, but these games are won on fine margins and I think he showed his naivete at this level. England will be licking their lips. Good player but maybe it's too early for him at this level?

Yeah it probably is a bit early for him. He's finding it difficult to get up to the speed of international rugby. I mean a strike rate of 8 tries in his first 7 games shows that he's not doing enough for his place.

sxt · 24-02-2018 05:16PM

prawnsambo wrote: »

I suspect Sexton had some sort of a niggle. Not like him to miss kicks like that and there was an odd sound from the kicks, almost like a fat shot in golf. The fact that he ran the penalty instead of kicking it (fairly unusual for him) makes me think he just couldn't take them cleanly.

But he consistently misses kicks in every single game that should never be missed at international level. In the game before he missed a kick the likes you wouldn't see missed in a under 13s game. Not just missed, but no where near. There is no excuses for those misses at elite level.

Ardillaun · 24-02-2018 05:16PM

Sexton never stops in contact. He really puts his body on the line, even today when he didn’t look right. Farrell was dominant in the centre and made a load of vital tackles. How come Neil Francis said he couldn’t pass? Wales didn’t have an answer to us in the collisions but we looked fragile and narrow when they finally got it out wide with those zippy passes. McFadden did not inspire confidence in defence.

BTW was that scrum penalty really ours? Looked a mess. We were rock solid up till then. Well done, Porter.

PhlegmyMoses · 24-02-2018 05:17PM

Farrell made a believer out of me today. Obviously his crash ball is a real obvious trait, but he showed good hands, excellent jackeling ability and has a great engine to go with his athleticism.

gmurphy70 · 24-02-2018 05:18PM

Think Sexton was brilliant today in open play, strong fearless running, always looking to keep Ireland moving and not afraid to try things, obviously kicking aside. Our defence was poor today and kept Wales in the game, Leary and Stander were very good today, was a bit worried for our back row but played well.Will we have O Brien, Ringrose, Henderson and Furlong back next day? That leaves us in a very strong position for Scotland

Rala_ · 24-02-2018 05:18PM

Ireland excellent today. Only faults would be defending the width and wings, Kearneys defence not good enough for this level. But other then that absolutely outstanding, big credit due for pack.

Christy42 · 24-02-2018 05:18PM

Ardillaun wrote: »

Sexton never stops in contact. He really puts his body on the line, even today when he didn’t look right. Farrell was dominant in the centre and made a load of vital tackles. How come Neil Francis said he couldn’t pass? Wales didn’t have an answer to us in the collisions but we looked fragile and narrow when they finally got it out wide with those zippy passes. McFadden did not inspire confidence in defence.

BTW was that scrum penalty really ours? Looked a mess. We were rock solid up till then. Well done, Porter.

They didn't hook the ball right when we got the scrum penalty. It put their scrum under all sorts of pressure. As soon as I saw the failed hook I was expecting the penalty to come to us.

24-02-2018 05:20PM

Ardillaun wrote: »

Sexton never stops in contact. He really puts his body on the line, even today when he didn’t look right. Farrell was dominant in the centre and made a load of vital tackles. How come Neil Francis said he couldn’t pass? Wales didn’t have an answer to us in the collisions but we looked fragile and narrow when they finally got it out wide with those zippy passes. McFadden did not inspire confidence in defence.

BTW was that scrum penalty really ours? Looked a mess. We were rock solid up till then. Well done, Porter.

I'm no prop but I thought we were very fortunate to win that penalty, the scrum looked like a total mess and I don't know who turned in first.

Jack Kanoff · 24-02-2018 05:22PM

prawnsambo wrote: »

You're having a laugh. Don't think you'll find many agreeiing with you.

Ahm..the whole forum did during the game... revisionism doesn't count.

Ardillaun · 24-02-2018 05:22PM

IIGeminiII wrote: »

People being harsh on johnny. He missed a few kicks. It happens. But he was a talisman for us in this game. Lots of hard running, neat passes, and a sensational pass for the try. Connected all the dots. He's super confident and fearless.

I don’t know what we would do without him.

Peregrine · 24-02-2018 05:22PM

sxt wrote: »

But he consistently misses kicks in every single game that should never be missed at international level. In the game before he missed a kick the likes you wouldn't see missed in a under 13s game. Not just missed, but no where near. There is no excuses for those misses at elite level.

He was coming into this game with a kicking rate of 90% from the last two games.

Ardillaun · 24-02-2018 05:22PM

Kenzie Harsh Volleyball wrote: »

Ardillaun wrote: »

Sexton never stops in contact. He really puts his body on the line, even today when he didn’t look right. Farrell was dominant in the centre and made a load of vital tackles. How come Neil Francis said he couldn’t pass? Wales didn’t have an answer to us in the collisions but we looked fragile and narrow when they finally got it out wide with those zippy passes. McFadden did not inspire confidence in defence.

BTW was that scrum penalty really ours? Looked a mess. We were rock solid up till then. Well done, Porter.

I'm no prop but I thought we were very fortunate to win that penalty, the scrum looked like a total mess and I don't know who turned in first.

I agree.

ongarite · 24-02-2018 05:23PM

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

As I said previously, I agree with the niggle idea - definitely wasn't striking them like he normally does

Murray Kinsella was vaguely hinting at such before the match.

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/967387454889234437

https://twitter.com/Murray_Kinsella/status/967392988732297216

Stout Warrior · 24-02-2018 05:23PM

bilston wrote: »

I thought it was pretty mixed from Kearney. There were some good things and some bad things. But given the injuries and the nature of the upcoming games there is more chance of awec running round the Aviva in a 'I love Nucifora' t-shirt than there is of Kearney being dropped for anyone.

I’m not sure you are right. While Joe is conservative and won’t upset the apple cart he will drop players who are sub par which Kearney is verging on.

24-02-2018 05:24PM

Ardillaun wrote: »

I don’t know what we would do without him.

If he'd knocked over maybe 2 of the missed kicks we'd be saying he'd a 9/10 performance. He was excellent in general play. Even in the early period when he missed the kicks he'd the pass for Stockdale to score, the break down the left and a perfect restart that Farrell claimed.

Edit, that miss Kinsella posted above is exactly how he was missing in the match. Fading it left to right.

rebel girl 15 · 24-02-2018 05:25PM

Peregrine wrote: »

He was coming into this game with a kicking rate of 90% from the last two games.

Was trying to find his stats - so for all the playmaking he does, today he didn't do one of the most basic parts of his job as well as hie normally does.

Maybe it is time to give Murray the kicking job more often? Especially if Sexton is going to be playing so close to the gain line and getting smashed as often

prawnsambo · 24-02-2018 05:26PM

sxt wrote: »

But he consistently misses kicks in every single game that should never be missed at international level. In the game before he missed a kick the likes you wouldn't see missed in a under 13s game. Not just missed, but no where near. There is no excuses for those misses at elite level.

Look at his strike rate in International rugby or in all rugby played and I think you'll find you're wrong. Before the Lions tour his strike rate was marginally better than Halfpenny's.

PhlegmyMoses · 24-02-2018 05:28PM

Kenzie Harsh Volleyball wrote: »

If he'd knocked over maybe 2 of the missed kicks we'd be saying he'd a 9/10 performance. He was excellent in general play. Even in the early period when he missed the kicks he'd the pass for Stockdale to score, the break down the left and a perfect restart that Farrell claimed.

Edit, that miss Kinsella posted above is exactly how he was missing in the match. Fading it left to right.

He ran over a Welsh player (a half back that does that!) to take us to the line for Healys try as well. He was immense today barring the kicking, which we can all agree was appalling.

joseywhales · 24-02-2018 05:29PM

So we dominated a Welsh team 5 tries to 3, that barely missed out on a win in Twickenham the previous game. We are on the best run of results in our history with the greatest Irish team and coach ever and people are still upset? We will always make mistakes and so will england and the all blacks. We will never have 15 perfect players. If anything our players are overachieving

Hurrache · 24-02-2018 05:29PM

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Maybe it is time to give Murray the kicking job more often? Especially if Sexton is going to be playing so close to the gain line and getting smashed as often

It was only his second kick for Ireland wasn't it?

sxt · 24-02-2018 05:30PM

Peregrine wrote: »

He was coming into this game with a kicking rate of 90% from the last two games.

Statistics don't tell the full story. He misses straight forward kicks the likes happenny and Farrell would never miss, ever.

IIGeminiII · 24-02-2018 05:30PM

rebel girl 15 wrote: »

Maybe it is time to give Murray the kicking job more often? Especially if Sexton is going to be playing so close to the gain line and getting smashed as often

Wut? Every kicker has an off day. I remember watching Halfpenny playing Scarlets last year and he couldn't kick a goal for Toulon to save his life. Sexton's goal kicking is one of the reasons he's so valuable ffs.

yosser hughes · 24-02-2018 05:30PM

Just dropped in to see the comments. Some are toxic. It's depressing stuff. People oh so predictably trying to get the boot in to certain players. It never ends does it?

Ardillaun · 24-02-2018 05:32PM

Great win and many positives but our defence worries me. Some repressed memories of Argentinians bubbled to the surface there. Real love is honest.

If a team like England or even Scotland get the lion’s share of possession, how are we going to sustain, say, 60 minutes of defence given what happened today? Our main weapon against the other team scoring seems to be to hold onto the ball and not score ourselves.

Paul Smeenus · 24-02-2018 05:35PM

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

If Paddy Jackson, Keatley or Carberry had missed eight points worth of kicks in the first half of a game, they'd be hung, drawn and quartered.

Also, that tap and go wasn't massively bright given the time and scoreline.

But Sexton was still our best player. The reason he has been so good for so long isn't because of his kicking game. Would much rather a Sexton with the odd ricket in his kicking game and what he adds on the pitch, than 1/2p, who is one of the best kickers I've ever seen, but is so so in open play. I know positions are different but the logic still followx

He absolutely wasn't our best player, sorry. Would have had Earls and Farrell ahead of him at least.

IIGeminiII · 24-02-2018 05:36PM

Ardillaun wrote: »

Great win and many positives but our defence worries me.

If a team like England or even Scotland get the lion’s share of possession, how are we going to sustain, say, 60 minutes of defence given what happened today? Our main weapon against the other team scoring seems to be to hold onto the ball and not score ourselves.

I'd rather score 5 tries and have to work on our defense, than score no tries and have to work on our attack. Plenty to think about for schmidt and farrell. Hopefully we tighten up and keep the other teams guessing.

Didactic Ninja · 24-02-2018 05:36PM

Ardillaun wrote: »

Great win and many positives but our defence worries me.

If a team like England or even Scotland get the lion’s share of possession, how are we going to sustain, say, 60 minutes of defence given what happened today? Our main weapon against the other team scoring seems to be to hold onto the ball and not score ourselves.

you will win the grand slam. its 2009 all over again, flattering to deceive but still getting over the line. infighting within the fans on the board, rub of the green with the refs. lots of flaws but opposition don't expose them.

joseywhales · 24-02-2018 05:37PM

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

If Paddy Jackson, Keatley or Carberry had missed eight points worth of kicks in the first half of a game, they'd be hung, drawn and quartered.

Also, that tap and go wasn't massively bright given the time and scoreline.

But Sexton was still our best player. The reason he has been so good for so long isn't because of his kicking game. Would much rather a Sexton with the odd ricket in his kicking game and what he adds on the pitch, than 1/2p, who is one of the best kickers I've ever seen, but is so so in open play. I know positions are different but the logic still followx

He absolutely wasn't our best player, sorry. Would have had Earls and Farrell ahead of him at least.

Only Third best player, Jesus , he should have been shot.

prawnsambo · 24-02-2018 05:38PM

sxt wrote: »

Statistics don't tell the full story. He misses straight forward kicks the likes happenny and Farrell would never miss, ever.

Care to look at Farrell's performance in the Italian match?

P.Walnuts · 24-02-2018 05:40PM

So Andrew Porter is an international standard tight head on his fifth appearance in the number 3 jersey. Incredible stuff really

Ireland vs Wales 24th Feb 2:15

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