Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Jump_In_Jack · 04-11-2022 01:14PM

Just to mention something I looked up that I found interesting, the All Blacks XV team was not submitted by the NZRU to World Rugby as their designated second team, so they currently have no official second team, they said it was so they wouldn’t “capture” players unnecessarily ahead of RWC23 that could otherwise want to represent other countries such as Samoa. Fair play to them for that.

So Ireland A v All Blacks XV is not a proper “capture” fixture, no player for either squad will be “captured” through this fixture.

I’m not sure would it make any difference to the selected players for the ABXV travelling squad if it were a proper “capture” team.

They’re not New Zealand A either, their official name is the “All Blacks XV” team. Though it is practically their A team really, though I wouldn’t know their players well enough to say if they are missing guys that would otherwise be on a true A team.

awec · 04-11-2022 01:20PM

A well deserved opportunity for McCloskey, who needs to ensure he grabs it with both hands.

Crash · 04-11-2022 01:25PM

In some ways i'm actually somewhat happy to see a few late, but hopefully minor, knocks slip in - its a great opportunity to see how we handle the core team with a few swap outs, in a way that's closer to Six Nations/WC conditions than an intentional swap out of a first team player.

Former Former Former · 04-11-2022 01:27PM

Henshaw is a big loss but no harm getting a proper look at McCloskey in a full strength team against good opposition.

Could be huge for JOB too.

Jump_In_Jack · 04-11-2022 01:29PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832459#Comment_119832459

Definitely think he has the ability at international level, just for some reason Schmidt didn’t select him as his first choice 12.

Plus, with him at 12 it would open up an interesting debate for the best player to partner him at 13 between Henshaw/Aki/Ringrose/Hume.

Also agree with a few other posters that said Hawkshaw wouldn’t be out of place at 12 in the A Team.

Shehal · 04-11-2022 01:31PM

Im not as worried with McCloskey in when he has Sexton & Ringrose either side of him. I definitely don't think he'll be out of his depth, the question is will be be able to make an impact, this is his golden chance potentially get himself in that elite Centre group discussion. I like JOB being in the 23 as he brings that versatility, you could literally slot him anywhere without someone moving.

Dubinusa · 04-11-2022 01:43PM

This encounter will be ideal for us. Henshaw injured, JGP on the bench and JOB in the 23. Good enough as far as disruption goes. I hope McCloskey goes well. He's finally getting a chance at top level international rugby.

Will we be able to play our game? The fast ruck and speed off the ruck is crucial for us. I doubt that we can play this style. Our pack is not ideal for this match, imo. I feel the back row is unbalanced and light.

I think the boks by 7.

Shehal · 04-11-2022 02:05PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832553#Comment_119832553

You do realise there is more to rugby than just size right?

Former Former Former · 04-11-2022 02:11PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832493#Comment_119832493

just for some reason Schmidt didn’t select him as his first choice 12.

The "some reason" is that we have two top class 12s in Henshaw and Aki who are a step up, and to be honest, McCloskey's form has not been as consistent as he'd like.

Whether Schmidt's apparent preference for Chris Farrell over McCloskey was justified, well that's another question.

Jump_In_Jack · 04-11-2022 02:15PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832651#Comment_119832651

In my opinion, McCloskey is as good as those two at 12, he's bigger and more powerful and has longer arms for offloads, both of Aki and Henshaw have been superb when selected so it's hard to make the case for McCloskey as there's no evidence except opinion, the nearest we have is the recent tour to New Zealand, one stand-out memory was a fizzing 20 metre pass to the edge for a try assist in the corner that was sublime.

It's mentioned and video clip shown on the following link:

https://www.skysports.com/rugby-union/nz-maori-vs-ireland/102660

aloooof · 04-11-2022 02:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832651#Comment_119832651

Farrell himself seemed to have a preference for Chris Farrell over McCloskey too in his early days, I think.

(Tho with one being a 12 and the other a 13, there’s more going on than just a straight comparison too, to be fair).

awec · 04-11-2022 02:25PM

Tomorrow is either going to be an Andrew-Trimble-esque late career Ireland revival for McCloskey, or it's going to be the end of his Ireland career.

If he puts in a good performance there's no reason why he can't earn many more caps and even make the World Cup. If he's poor, he's probably done.

Big day for him.

sydthebeat · 04-11-2022 02:38PM

this is mccloskys biggest challenge of his career yet.

so far internationally he hasn't faced a tier one side, and of all sides to face the bokke have the best defense currently to counteract his USPs.

they will double man tackle if he crashes off first phase and target the ball. His best chance to shine will be in broken play when his ability to pick the right decision will be paramount. i dont want to see him constantly taking contact and trying to throw offloads if the right decision is draw and pass.

hes 2 years younger than bundee, so a top level performance here could very well draw him level in Farrells eyes with aki.

aloooof · 04-11-2022 02:58PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832767#Comment_119832767

I think it’d take a huge performance to draw him level with Aki, tbh. Aki has a lot of credit in the bank. (The biggest case against him at the moment might be his own discipline).

Shehal · 04-11-2022 03:13PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832767#Comment_119832767

If anything double tackling is what we want the Boks to do as it will leave extra space out wide for us pull back a pass to the rest of the outside backs.

bilston · 04-11-2022 03:16PM

Delighted for McCloskey, he deserves this, albeit it has come at a cost in Henshaw's case.

A lot of pressure on him as well as this is his big chance. The harsh reality is he may not get another if it doesn't go well. That's because we have so many options. Even if the D'Arcy/BOD days there were probably more opportunities as there wasn't the depth we have now.

sydthebeat · 04-11-2022 03:19PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832984#Comment_119832984

Exactly, so the decisions stuart makes with ball in hand will be paramount, does he take the contact or does he throw the option?

its a fascinating aspect of the game ill be watching closely

Former Former Former · 04-11-2022 03:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832767#Comment_119832767

hes 2 years younger than bundee

Realistically, age only matters if it means a player won't make it the RWC, which Aki definitely will.

At this point, McCloskey's goal is to put himself ahead of Hume and then take it from there.

sydthebeat · 04-11-2022 03:28PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119833042#Comment_119833042

the point being that Hume is a lot younger than Aki, so McCloskey is looking to replace Aki in the ireland squad, and not hume, in the longer term. i never mentioned RWC 23

TRC10 · 04-11-2022 03:33PM

I'd have put Hume on the bench. Wouldn't be comfortable with JOB covering 13 at all.

CIARAN_BOYLE · 04-11-2022 03:49PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119833098#Comment_119833098

I'd be more comfortable with JOB covering centre than with McCloskey covering wing.

Neither is ideal but backline covering rarely is.

sydthebeat · 04-11-2022 03:50PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119833098#Comment_119833098

JOB can easily cover 11,14 and 15, especially considering keenan is just back from injury and has no match time in his legs.... plus hume himself has very few minutes this season due to his own injury woes*

edit: * only 1 80 min performance versus munster

mfceiling · 04-11-2022 04:33PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832767#Comment_119832767

To be fair he got 40 minutes against England in the 6N a few years ago. Got hooked at half time though.

sydthebeat · 04-11-2022 04:35PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119833378#Comment_119833378

jeez id forgotten that !!

that was his irish debut afair

6 years ago!

RichieRich_89 · 04-11-2022 04:39PM

O'Brien is a fine 13. He's a good passer, good defender, good tackler technically. Personally, I think he might well be better at 13 than on the wing. He's not a natural finisher. He's certainly better at 15 than on the wing.

Dubinusa · 04-11-2022 05:16PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119832630#Comment_119832630

I do! We've been down this road before. These lads ,POM&VDF, work better with say Doris and Conan. I'd have one on the bench and Conan at 6.

Must love hardship · 04-11-2022 05:25PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119833556#Comment_119833556

Better to find out if you're right tomorrow over say next September.

Dubinusa · 04-11-2022 05:29PM

The A match will be defining for some lads. A cap against Fiji next week could be up for grabs. I can't believe the talent coming up. It's hard to imagine where we are as compared to when Schmidt left. While I don't like the XV tomorrow, I think the EI tour and tonight's match are great opportunities for lads.

Look at center; Osborne, Moore, Frawley and perhaps Hawkshaw in a few years. Frawley is obviously viewed at oh but, he's certainly a really good 12. I'm not considering Hume ad he's already capped! It's mad. Scrum halves there's Doak and Casey. Both will be in the future plans for Ireland.

It's a credit to the systems. The u20's have done superb in recent years. Serious amount of top level prospects coming up. The EI tour was much maligned and probably rightly so, but lads were given opportunities to work with the coaches and the systems. That tour will stand to the lads that went and some will push on.

Clegg · 04-11-2022 05:30PM

JOB is in the squad as utility backs cover. He can play across the back 3 and centre at a pinch. If things get really dire, he also has experience playing at 10, albeit at underage level.

Also, we're down to the bare bones for cover. I'm sure Stockdale would have been in the 23, but for his own injury issues.

Dubinusa · 04-11-2022 05:31PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119833592#Comment_119833592

Indeed! I reckon that with Murray starting our back row won't have the quick service that they need to get on top.

Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

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