Seriously strong side, a lot better than the Maori sides we faced in the summer. Whole backline looks extremely dangerous, but some real talent in the pack too. Looking forward to seeing Roger Tuivasa Sheck and Damian McKenzie in the flesh.
Play well and it's only an A game
I think that's definitely an attitude among fans, but Farrell really seems to value them. Between the Maori, Emerging Ireland and now this game, we've probably had more 'A' games in the last six months than we had in the previous five years and they've definitely meant something. Ciaran Frawley is the perfect example, he's skipped a long queue of out-halves based on very little apart from the Maori games and what he's shown the coaches in training camp. Likewise, Easterby was very open that Baloucoune went to South Africa because they wanted to take a closer look at a few things, and now here he is (apparently) about to start against the Boks.
This NZA team is very decent and should definitely provide opportunities for guys to impress, and it looks like Farrell will reward those who do.
Massive game for Frawley. He’s started 4 games at 10 in two seasons including the NZ tour. If he is mostly playing 10 for ireland, then he needs to be really solid in each game.
Apparently, he's worked on his ball-carrying
Our A side looks pretty strong. I am disappointed the Casey won't get a run against SA. NZ look to have a young squad. I know little about them. Delighted for Deegan! I hope he gets in and tears it up. I wasn't aware thar Molony was selected? I think he should be starting.
This team means that Murray and Healy will play Saturday. They are both on fumes, imo. We'll probably lose if Murray starts. But, it's not the end of the world. I reckon Friday's match will be a really good encounter.
Murray starts, and also Beirne? I didn't think he was available.
And captaining? Mad...
Edit: maybe the captain issue was an error - seems not to be mentioned in the article now, though it was earlier
If they are starting Murray, it probably indicates that they don't want to kick long. Pack seems light to me.
Pack seems light to me.
Not sure what we can do about that. It's not like we have a stock of 130 kg behemoths just hanging around Carton House
Right now, probably nothing much. Before the world cup, there are probably things you could explore.
We have been handicapped imo by a big drop off in quality from our top 3 locks to our 4th lock…. so we cant really play our best 4,5,6 in Ryan, Henderson, Beirne on the field at the same time.
We need to develop 1/2 tighthead lock options that will free up Beirne to play 6. McCarthy and/or Edogbo, or even possibly someone like Kleyn returning. Develop Baird aggressively at 6 as well. He has the athletic profile and size there.
Play Coombes in the back row or in 23. Get Marty Moore back in (that’s happening).
There are things that can be done. It would necessitate experimenting some.
Wouldn’t be surprised if Thornbury shoots up to fourth choice lock now he’s in camp. A really good player at at 6’8 one of the tallest locks in the country.
Before his last big injury he was probably the most in form lock at the time. That season he was a real jackaling threat. He’s also a brilliant line out option both offensively and defensively.
I really like thornbury. It definitely wouldn’t be crazy if that happened.
All the games are being shown on Amazon Prime. You can also get it free for a month and then cancel it. I use it anyway but it's basically a free month.
A year out from a world cup and the team is picked for it
How is that a good thing, what does it say to the rest of the squad
That isn't even a little bit true. The props and sexton and keenan are about the only set positions on the team.
I can see why Murray would start, has a more physical presence then JGP and has minutes in his legs, you put on JGP with 25 mins to go speed up our game.
im absolutely buzzing for this on Saturday! Hopefully the atmosphere is good! 5.30 kick off should help!
Amazon.co.uk: Autumn Nations Rugby: Prime Video
It looks from the above like the NZ A game isn't being shown on Prime?
It says to the rest of the squad, when you get a chance, you'd better take it.
Our starting wingers against the World Champions will be two blokes who, 12 months ago, had one cap vs USA between them. Our hooker was uncapped a year ago and a month from now, could have wins over all four SANZAR countries under his belt. The coach is falling over himself to give gametime to the wider squad by arranging all these A games.
Pay attention.
If his 100th cap is any part of the decision around giving him the start here (as GT is suggesting in that article) then that is completely ridiculous.
Would much rather see Casey start this than Murray.
Farrell deserves more benefit of the doubt than that.
The obsession over our park size is just dull at this point. Listening to OTB last night and the journalist saying how the majority of the Irish pack had been 'destroyed' by Saracens, La Rochelle and France over the last few years. I guess we all have very different opinions on 'destroyed' in mostly one score games..
The situation with Ross Molony in the A side potentially points to Tadgh Beirne not being good to go for Saturday.
They announced the call ups of both Tom Stewart and Nathan Doak, but selected neither, while they didn't announce Molony, but selected him on the bench.
It looks like they had probably intended to have Ryan Baird in that shirt, but he now looks like a spare for the Seniors on Saturday if the team is selected as expected.
Sorry. I meant the A.I. games......
I don't really know how his season has gone so far tbh, but Treadwell did really, really well on the NZ tour in the chances he was given. I'd say he has a fair bit of credit in the bank.
I just don't listen to OTB any more. It's tabloid stuff these days, or else Joe Molloy asking a question in 14 parts, 13 of which he answers himself.
Yeah it’s not worth a listen anymore really, v little insight.
The Molecast is where it’s at
Crowley will impress with his stony glaring from the sidelines as Frawley gets the opportunity to actually play.
What was the actual point of the EI tour?
The EI tour wasn't Ireland A.
Crowley has progressed from EI to Ireland A, so therein itself is one example of the point of the EI tour. Crowley wouldn't have gotten that opportunity otherwise.
Now he's set to play for Ireland A against a fairly choice new Zealand side. I'd say the kids delighted
The narrative about Ireland has been set in stone, doesnt matter if facts or logic defies this though.
You better not look at the french team for the game against Australia then.....
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