Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

'You can prove any thing with statistics Kent, forfty percent of people know that!' Homer Simpson.

Seriously, the same stats have Sam down for 0 clean breaks. Perhaps he caught a few kicks in the back field and ran them back? Hugo Keenan carried for 100 meters, another powerhouse ball carrier like Sam.

Sam had a poor game, it's fine. He's a 22 year old novice in his first 6N campaign. There's no need to twist the stats to prove otherwise. He'll learn from it and improve.

Also, Keenan played really well but the meters carried stat isn't that relevant to most backs, especially if they are defending kicks in the back field.

It’s funny you mention that his post contact metres are also much better than Jacks.

He has lost a grand total of 1 game at provincial or international level this season. Media both in Ireland and abroad across the board have been impressed with his ability as a young outhalf.

What did yesterday prove? Young outhalf has a mediocre game surrounded by other players who also had mediocre games. I don’t think losing to France is the big gotcha for Sam’s career that you think it is.

That’s correct. Right now, he isn’t at that level. 🤷

I see we're all back to it being Sam Prendergast's fault.

Meanwhile, our two centres still get away with turning in poor performances because everyone wants to dump on the kid because he took the place of their own player.

I think you are misreading it tbh, but I’m not sure if you are referring to my posts or not.

There’s no appropriation of blame, or talk about at who’s feet any “fault” lies.

This is a discussion on who should be farrell’s first XV. My opinion is that SP isn’t playing well enough to be that starter.

I don’t get into the provincial BS either. I’ve supported Ireland for a long, long time, and have cheered on every 10 that has ever worn the jersey.

I’ll be in Italy next week , and Chicago in November. Green is green, and I’ll be hoping we all play well and we win.

My opinion is based on my knowledge of rugby and not the club the players I’m discussing play for. But it’s only one opinion, and isn’t worth any more or less than anyone else’s.

Nobody has issues with people saying Sam has to develop or that it was a poor performance. That is fine and nobody will deny that Sam has definite work ons. His first 6 nations was always going to be a baptism of fire.

But there is a number of posters who are only here to **** on him and revel in Ireland losing as they can pin the blame on him. No other player has come in for anywhere near that level of criticism. And there were plenty of worse performers against France.
There is no objectivity in looking at his performance. He can do nothing right in their eyes.

There's no objectivity in looking at Sam full stop, hes very flawed right now he has no buisness starting for ireland, when he flames out in 2 or 3 years the hype will be the reason for it

A very very talented young player thats been pushed to be something hes not

You don't get into the provincial bullshit, granted.

However there are many posters here who will never give up in their relentless quest to see Sam Prendergast fail. Why? Because he's starting over Crowley.

They don't care how poor the centres were yesterday because their team hasn't produced a centre for Ireland in over two decades.

And for the record, I thought Crowley should have been the starter for this campaign, or at least in the opening match against England.

Bordering on public bullying? Theres been some interesting takes by WUM accounts on here but your post seems quite genuine. Do you actually believe that?

I reckon irelands bluntness in attach is not only due to catts loss but also Lancaster leaving leinster hasn't helped, he had them playing heads up attacking rugby where as now with 9bar it's all SA power rugby and blitz defence unfortunately, grand at provincial level but dosent work for our players in international games as we can't overpower teams, ireland played way better rugby 2 or 3 years ago

You do post some bollix..