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Ireland Team Talk XI: Team of nervoUS MOD warning Post 1

[Deleted User]

Continued from here
https://touch.boards.ie/thread/2057953711/251
All Ireland Senior XV related talk here.

MOD: Bear in mind this thread is starting during the World Cup window and the zero tolerance policy is in force. Trolling will be rewarded with an instant ban. For the duration of the tournament any mention of Zebo in this thread will not be permitted, it is just dragging current Ireland squad talk off topic.

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Shefwedfan

shootermacg wrote: »

Mike Haley has impressed me so far this season too. Hard to believe he's just 25.

A player who I hoped at start of last season could challenge for the 15 role but didn’t have a great season

Some players struggle in their first season so let’s hope he kicks on this season

Shefwedfan

sydthebeat wrote: »

Take what up??

That's quite a glowing appraisal of ruddock.... I'm not sure I'm getting your point here.

The ages for all the players are questionable at least

pOM seems to have lost a year and given it to Ruddock....

A number of the others I would question as well

shootermacg

sydthebeat wrote: »

Take what up??

That's quite a glowing appraisal of ruddock.... I'm not sure I'm getting your point here.

Sorry Syd, quoted the wrong post

kennedmc

Shefwedfan wrote: »

None of those players will make the next WC but I think you are been a little generous to POM and a little negative to Ruddock....

At the start of WC POM will be 34 and Ruddock will still be 32

still only 14 months between them.

sydthebeat

shootermacg wrote: »

Well take it up with these bozos then

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/rugby-world-cup-2019-ireland-squad-player-profiles-1.4005345

Take what up??

That's quite a glowing appraisal of ruddock.... I'm not sure I'm getting your point here.

shootermacg

Mike Haley has impressed me so far this season too. Hard to believe he's just 25.

shootermacg

Former Former wrote: »

Ruddock is a very good player but not top level test material. At 28 it's a big ask for him to improve significantly and become as good as we need him to be. Ditto Conway. They've hit their ceiling and it's not enough.

If we're going down the road of ditching current guys who won't be here in 2023, then we have to bring in new guys who are ether better now or have the potential to be better.

Ruddock does a lot well, but he's never impressed me as a guy who turns over a lot of ball. So why would you be playing him instead of a guy like Beirne who does turn ball over?

Faugheen

Former Former wrote: »

Ruddock is a very good player but not top level test material. At 28 it's a big ask for him to improve significantly and become as good as we need him to be. Ditto Conway. They've hit their ceiling and it's not enough.

Based on what, though? In both cases? Neither have been given a proper chance.

Ruddock at least is absolutely test level.

shootermacg

sydthebeat wrote: »

ruddock is only 28 !!!

almost literal 'baby with bath water' being suggested here.

In truth we have the players to play a different way, be that a looser more high risk game or whatever, and we also the have the crutch of going back to a possession based game should the need arise.

Farrell isnt just going to throw out everything good that joe did over the last six years but rather can build upon it

Well take it up with these bozos then

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/rugby-world-cup-2019-ireland-squad-player-profiles-1.4005345

shootermacg

Faugheen wrote: »

Jack O’Donoghue ahead of VDF?

What have people got against VDF on this forum?

Also, Ruddock is 28. Hardly past it.

I thought it would be obvious Leavy would be seven in that scenario......

Squidgy Black

Faugheen wrote: »

Jack O’Donoghue ahead of VDF?

What have people got against VDF on this forum?

People keep making up a narrative about him being light and not powerful despite the many examples of him absolutely drilling people in the tackle and driving players back quite often.

If you think VDF is light, you certainly can't be calling for Penny to be in the team considering he's shorter and lighter again.

Former Former

Ruddock is a very good player but not top level test material. At 28 it's a big ask for him to improve significantly and become as good as we need him to be. Ditto Conway. They've hit their ceiling and it's not enough.

If we're going down the road of ditching current guys who won't be here in 2023, then we have to bring in new guys who are ether better now or have the potential to be better.

Faugheen

shootermacg wrote: »

When is Leavy back? Ruddock is old so a pointless waste of resources at this stage.

A back row of Beirne, Jack o'o'Donoghue and Leavy would probably be my pick going forward.

Jack O’Donoghue ahead of VDF?

What have people got against VDF on this forum?

Also, Ruddock is 28. Hardly past it.

sydthebeat

shootermacg wrote: »

When is Leavy back? Ruddock is old so a pointless waste of resources at this stage.

A back row of Beirne, Jack o'o'Donoghue and Leavy would probably be my pick going forward.

ruddock is only 28 !!!

almost literal 'baby with bath water' being suggested here.

In truth we have the players to play a different way, be that a looser more high risk game or whatever, and we also the have the crutch of going back to a possession based game should the need arise.

Farrell isnt just going to throw out everything good that joe did over the last six years but rather can build upon it

shootermacg

Has Beirne or Leavy ever played 8? I'd actually prefer leavy at 6 because he's not got the legs for seven. If you could squeeze Beirne or Leavy in at 8. You could have two good carriers / poachers and still have room for a very quick open-side like VdF.

Shefwedfan

shootermacg wrote: »

For the record, I haven't really been a PoM fan for quite awhile.

Im not saying POM is good or bad but he has played a huge amount of rugby over the years....he could last and he might not. You never know but I would not want Ireland to be counting on him for next WC

shootermacg

Shefwedfan wrote: »

Leavy wont be back till next season I would expect

In reality Ruddock has very little mileage on the clock.....he could potentially last till next WC

POM has been battered around for a number of years....I just dont see it

For the record, I haven't really been a PoM fan for quite awhile.

Squidgy Black

Fogarty been picked as part of Gatland's coaching staff for the Lions, will be a brilliant experience for him.

Shefwedfan

shootermacg wrote: »

When is Leavy back? Ruddock is old so a pointless waste of resources at this stage.

A back row of Beirne, Jack o'Donohue and Leavy would probably be my pick going forward.

Leavy wont be back till next season I would expect

In reality Ruddock has very little mileage on the clock.....he could potentially last till next WC

POM has been battered around for a number of years....I just dont see it

Shefwedfan

shootermacg wrote: »

Here's a list of players and their ages at the next world cup.
Too old?

Over the next few years Andy Farrell will have to blood in quite a few players, the earlier the better.

Healy (36), Kilcoyne (35), Pom (33), Ruddock (33), John Ryan(35), CJ (33) Sean Cronin (37), Connor Murray (34), Earls (35), Conway (32), Aki (33)

None of those players will make the next WC but I think you are been a little generous to POM and a little negative to Ruddock....

At the start of WC POM will be 34 and Ruddock will still be 32

shootermacg

When is Leavy back? Ruddock is old so a pointless waste of resources at this stage.

A back row of Beirne, Jack o'o'Donoghue and Leavy would probably be my pick going forward.

Shefwedfan

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

that backrow would be annihilated in 6ns. It is far from good enough.

Maybe, hard to know without testing it.

The current back row has got it ass handed to it for the year bar a few times when Conan came on......we need to look at options. Ok some might not work but some will....

Faugheen

I honestly think Stander is fine at 8 since we won’t have Conan, but we need someone to help lighten the carrying load off him. A Ruddock/Beirne/Henderson type. That’s where we’re lacking in the back row at the moment. When Stander is playing with a six who isn’t carrying then he’s easily nullified.

Shefwedfan

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

100m time is largely irrelevant as 40m sprint would be far more relevant to what happend in games.

This is my point, what exactly do we call lightning fast?

It just seems a very broad term to rate players. I don't think any of our wingers are slouches but would we call them lightning quick???

I dont think we shouldjust pick wingers because they are fast. I wouldn't class Lowe as very fast but he gets the job done

blinding

shootermacg wrote: »

Here's a list of players and their ages at the next world cup.
Too old?

Over the next few years Andy Farrell will have to blood in quite a few players, the earlier the better.

Healy (36), Kilcoyne (35), Pom (33), Ruddock (33), John Ryan(35), CJ (33) Sean Cronin (37), Connor Murray (34), Earls (35), Conway (32), Aki (33)

There won’t be many of them making the next world Cup ~ Maybe None .

AbusesToilets

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

that backrow would be annihilated in 6ns. It is far from good enough.

By who, exactly? As opposed to our all singing, all dancing POM VdF Stander set up, that's been killing it for 2 seasons? Give over.

The Lost Sheep

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I don't know what is "lighting fast"?

Larmour I think is one of the fastest but Earls burned him in the Japan match for that tackle.....

Earl's would still be one of quickest I imagine and all depends on starting position, standing start etc

Do we know if our winger are slower than other players over 100m? I can't remember the exact player but I know recently on one of the podcast it mentioned xy was fast over 100m and he was a forward.

100m time is largely irrelevant as 40m sprint would be far more relevant to what happend in games.

Paul Smeenus wrote: »

Aaron Sexton obviously has blistering pace, and should have broken through in that timeframe. Before then, Baloucoune is fast.

he very well may end up in 7s. Haed to know.

AbusesToilets wrote: »

My pick for the backrow in the 6Ns would be Ruddock VDF Deegan/ Doris (whoever is looking better) with Penny on the bench.

that backrow would be annihilated in 6ns. It is far from good enough.

shootermacg

Here's a list of players and their ages at the next world cup.
Too old?

Over the next few years Andy Farrell will have to blood in quite a few players, the earlier the better.

Healy (36), Kilcoyne (35), Pom (33), Ruddock (33), John Ryan(35), CJ (33) Sean Cronin (37), Connor Murray (34), Earls (35), Conway (32), Aki (33)

AbusesToilets

Shefwedfan wrote: »

I still think Stander can do a very good job for Ireland.....but at 6 instead of 8

Agree, but I think Ruddock is a better 6 than him. Equally physical, and know how to pass a ball.

Shefwedfan

AbusesToilets wrote: »

My pick for the backrow in the 6Ns would be Ruddock VDF Deegan/ Doris (whoever is looking better) with Penny on the bench.

I still think Stander can do a very good job for Ireland.....but at 6 instead of 8