Fantastically pointless argument. Off-season in full flow already.
Job can.
Yea, one person who can credibly play 15 in the squad other than keenan seems light.
Many more can. Not to the level of our first choice though.
Credibly? I guess stockdale and henshaw have experience. Maybe earls?
I don’t think its crazy to say that one dedicated 15 and one guy who regularly plays there as cover seems light in a training squad.
I do see your point.
I'd not consider any of them 3 contenders for 15 though. I can see Osborne though. Needs to be tested. Big boot and a big boy. Maybe, maybe not.
Versatility is so important for the world cup.
Hansen too.
Here's another question.
Why are people so sure Haley is the one who missed out?
Michael Lowry might think he has a claim to being next cab off the rank.
I don’t quite think they’re saying “Haley missed out“ as much as “I think Haley should be in”.
I think Haley and Lowry don’t fit honestly the more i think about it. It is essential you can kick well for ireland. I think you could juggle it and have Haley play a slightly different role or Lowry.
Osbourne and Frawley in theory fit but neither have actually played that much at the pro level at actual 15.
I also think that object one for south africa and france will be to negate our kicking game.
Please correct me if I'm wrong, but we don't kick any more than other teams. Probably less.
They were all in the squads though. Conan didn’t come from nowhere. He was on the edge of the starting team. Like Ross Moloney has had time in camp in the last few years. Kleyn has not had a sniff of even an extended squad. It’s fairly obvious they do not rate him, within their system.
I would say a good chunk of them are trying to tune out a bit and enjoy their 3/4/5 week holidays. Bodies will need rest time (Munster players especially).
I’d say we kick long a ton. I don’t know the stats but just watching us play we are a kick transition team… like leinster and connacht.
We kick long and then bet that whatever the opposition do (kick or run back) we can win the next phase.
Lowe and job. Great tactics. Left footers are worth their weight.
Ironically, haley is one of the archetypes of a FB who is a good fit AGAINST our game plan. Guys who can run it back and make gainline are very useful. If you are going to kick it back to us you want to do it after several phases on the front foot. Very few teams could beat us in straight kick battles.
That's an interesting take, which I don't necessarily disagree with.
Handsome Rob was a perfect fullback, buy we have a gem now as well. Great kicking wingers especially 22 pressure release.
Its not the amount of kicking. Its the quality of the kicking thats a massive part of our game plan.
Robert Kearney the perfect fullback?! I think his wingers would disagree. Fitzgerald said he liked Nacewa at fullback because he'd pass the ball to him often.
Kearney's tackling could be less than stellar sometimes too. Not Geordan Murphy bad but he was no Halfpenny or Felix Jones in this regard.
Rob organised the defence. I think he was overall an excellent player and finished his career very strongly.
I disagree, because he did what he was asked his positioning was outstanding.
I also kinda agree with the fullback role. He was well capable of a break.
Luke...immense potential, but living off a few dance steps.
So you're saying you'd be ok with Farrell bringing in Sam Prendergast, but not Mike Haley....
Prendergast has the potential to be a starting player for the national team, Haley doesn't.
I knew it.
Sam is behind
Sexton
Ross Byrne
Crowley
Harry Byrne
Frawley
Carty
Carbery
Billy Byrnes.......
Yet he is a legitimate squad inclusion
While Haley is the undisputed 2nd choice 15 in the country....
you think he's the undisputed no.2, when A. clearly JOB is, and B. it's likely that Frawley and Osbourne are and will be ahead of him too. How many different ways can it be explained to you why Haley isn't included? Bizarre hill to die on.
The only way I can make sense out of not including Haley is that they want to stress test the squad, and if for example Keenan broke his leg, they might actually bring Haley straight in at fullback.
Otherwise they really like O’Brien as a fullback and would be willing to use Crowley or Hansen instead if they needed.
I don’t think Frawley will make the 33 man squad, and I don’t think Osborne/Earls would be trusted.
Frawley and Osbourne ahead as 15s is puzzling.. come on.
Also, does Prendegast even have it athletically? Can i see him play some more games against full adults before we anoint him?
The exact same argument had been made on here for starting 15 / 23 / squad tho, is my point.
I just think it’s too reductive. You’re right until you’re not. But it leaves no room for discussion prior to that.
The facts are pretty plain. It’s not being reductive. Kleyn and Haley got a look in under Joe. Neither have under Farrell. There is a reason for that. Them being left out for this squad shouldn’t be a surprise. It’s a continuation of 3 1/2 years of selection policy. Do you think they haven’t watched Haley or Kleyn play in that time?
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