Love ROG but his insane kick (after getting absolutely rocked in a tackle) cost the Lions the series.
But Farrell will go with the leinster lad.
You’ve forgotten what happened what happened when Farrell picked Stockdale at 15 but I doubt Farrell has. We might want a little bit more evidence that he can actually do it against decent opposition.
Wait, let me guess. Systems, cohesion, familiarity etc.
You’ve forgotten what happened what happened when Farrell picked Stockdale at 15 but I doubt Farrell has.
When was this, about 2020? Doubt Farrell is giving it too much thought at this point.
No, he’s not.
But he’s not going to pick whoever he picks because of Leinster bias, that’s the point.
Hmmm, tbh I don't see any evidence of Aki tiring early these days, but I see loads of evidence of Ireland’s best player at RWC23 bar none, playing as well as ever.
However, I see loads of evidence of Lowe's loss of pace, abs he is in a position where pace is a premium requirement. So tbh, between those two, Lowe despite still having great power, competitive presence & football would be far more likely to be vulnerable to losing his place in '25/'26 imho...
I didn't notice any issues with it. As I say there was one poor spilled ball from a restart. Ulster defended well in the first half amd he was obviously part of that. The second half Ulster were generally on the front foot and Stockdale shone brightly.
Lol. In what world are the Bulls not decent opposition?
They are very decent, but it’s one game, ie “more evidence against decent opposition”.
Maybe I could have phrased that better
Really? You don't see Aki running out of steam in matches earlier than before? Fair enough. I think he does. Particularly in a run of games.
Would much rather see Stockdale on the left wing. He's been in good to excellent form for a couple of seasons now - his issue is that he's been injured in every one of his last three caps, been forced off and then missed the subsequent Ireland games. He just needs a run of injury luck and he could be close to displacing Lowe.
Confirmation you aren't actually watching rugby if that's your opinion. Aki has clearly lost a step or two.
Farrell will want to beat New Zealand in Chicago and so will pick the most experienced players he has available. And if he thinks Prendergast is the best 10 available he should start him, Farrell should continue to back him going forward so he is gets plenty of bedding in experience for 2027 World Cup.
I am on record as saying I believe Prendergast is not now and never will be the 10 Farrell and others expect, nothing personal against the man and I am not trying to be anti Leinster. I actually think Frawley is a real talent and if given the same chances Prendergast has got he could really have pushed on. just my opinion
Frawley got the chance at 10 when he was younger though. He was fine, but nothing spectacular. Had big issues with his passing often going behind the intended receiver, or spilling to the ground entirely. He's better at 12 where he has that extra split second to make a decision.
Struck up a good partnership with Harry Byrne for a time as a 10/12 combination. The former was very good at delaying the pass at the last moment, giving Frawley the time to make his decision. Showed some nice dual playmaking skills in league matches.
It's fine if you don't rate Prendergast highly, but don't make Frawley into something he never was or could have been either.
it really didnt though, the only reason the lions won the last test was that the series was already decided and SA changed half their team, if the 2nd test had been a draw then SA would have taken it more seriously and put out their strongest team with which they would have won easily
put out their strongest team with which they would have won easily
They won the first test by five points, the second test should have been a draw. Why do you think SA would have won the third test easily?
It would be more accurate to say ROG cost them a shot at a drawn series I think.
Doris and Joe McCarthy expected to be named in the squad and the squad are off on their training camp next week according to Off The Ball this morning. Any ideas when the squad is to be named? Presume this week if they are going into camp next week?
Wednesday at 16:00
really?
that 1 penalty is what cost the lions? out of the whole 1st and 2nd test?
lets ignore the penalties given up by the lions and scored by Steyn throughout those tests, especially Vickery's scrumming in the first test.
Ah well, this is one eyed Leinster fans you're dealing with, bless them!
Mod Edit:
Warned
It's not really relevant.
O'Gara became a very successful player in spite of being a rubbish defender.
However, it's 25 years since he made his test debut; the game was very, very different back then and the emphasis on defence and structure in the modern game means that a) it's not at all certain O'Gara would have the same career if he was coming through now and more importantly b) Prendergast is really going to struggle if he can't improve.
Hey folks, my apologies if this isnt the right place to ask but is there a thread for travelling fans to Chicago?
Without going back and watching, in my recollection it was by some distance the most brain dead episode of those two games, with the caveat that ROG likely didn't know where he was after a head knock. The ball needed to go off the field, and everyone in the stadium knew it. Conceding the penalty was the chefs kiss, from an SA pov. F*ck it, let's refresh our memories. HIs defensive powers are on full display here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1B9-ha7TP0
If there's blame to be apportioned for the end of that test, BOD and Bowe carry more for me. The entire catastrophic sequence stems from BOD sparking himself with his illegal shot on Broussow. He's out of position for Habana's try, and then goes off. Rog gets run over trying to stop Fourie, but Bowe completely **** out of any tackle attempt when he was in a position to drive him into touch. Then for the infamous garryownen, he again doesn't chase the kick, leaving ROG to make a balls of it.
ROG owns his actions, but there were larger contributions from others.
Yeah, the ROG moment is reasonably amusing, but everything was falling apart around him and he was just trying to make a play (albeit done badly, but he was clearly concussed also). The whole team let that slip in the last 10.
Nope but feel free to start one!
not wanting to derail the thread too much here, but the lions team for the third test was also fairly weakened (bowe and flutely in the centres, monye back on the wing much as he played well in the end). if SA put out their first team against that lions team then realistically they would have won at a bit of a canter
squad according to GT in the IT
Forwards
Hookers: Dan Sheehan (Leinster), Rónan Kelleher (Leinster), Gus McCarthy (Leinster). Props: Andrew Porter (Leinster), Jack Boyle (Leinster), Michael Milne (Munster), Tadhg Furlong (Leinster), Finlay Bealham (Connacht), Thomas Clarkson (Leinster). Locks: Joe McCarthy (Leinster), James Ryan (Leinster), Tadhg Beirne (Munster), Cormac Izuchukwu (Ulster), Iain Henderson (Ulster). Backrow: Caelan Doris (Leinster), Josh van der Flier (Leinster), Ryan Baird (Leinster), Jack Conan (Leinster), Nick Timoney (Ulster), Cian Prendergast (Connacht).
Backs
Scrumhalves: Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster), Craig Casey (Munster), Ben Murphy (Connacht). Outhalves: Sam Prendergast (Leinster), Jack Crowley (Munster), Ciarán Frawley (Leinster). Centres: Bundee Aki (Connacht), Robbie Henshaw (Leinster), Stuart McCloskey (Ulster), Garry Ringrose (Leinster). Outside backs: James Lowe (Leinster), Mack Hansen (Connacht), Jamie Osborne (Leinster), Jacob Stockdale (Ulster), Jimmy O’Brien (Leinster), Tommy O’Brien (Leinster).
Henderson getting picked is joke. He's well past it. Give one of the younger lads the slot. Ahern, Odogbo, Soroka. Nothing is gained from Henderson being there. Bryne should be there over Frawley, at least at OH.
Aki and Henshaw both being included, to the exclusion of every young centre in the country is ridiculous. How are none of Gavin, Cooney, Postlewaithe, Forde et al getting a shot here?
Positions where we are old as ****, Farrell is continuing to double down on.
I don’t believe they will select a side that is that uninspiring.
There is no way he will select Henderson.
I bet the young centres will be selected as training panellist. Aki was always going to be picked. Henshaw doesn’t deserve it.
Why isn’t the squad selected after this weekends game?
Ah here, Odogbo has like 20 min in the last 2 years and Soroka just isn't going to be covering lock at international level.
Anyway, I wouldn't get too exercised about this - Thornley doesn't have an in on the squad like he used to.
