Ireland V Australia. Saturday 15th Nov. Build up thread

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985203#Comment_123985203

Its taken me a long while to realise that irish head coaches will make minimal changes beyond the trusted group when the chips are down.

I would imagine the remit to Farrell by the irfu is to win as many as is possible firstly & progress the team towards a WC with key wins being 6N's in terms of revenue from sponsors & table standings at end of 6n's.

Historically the Italy game allows some changes along with one of the AI's.

You have to bring the majority of the top players on a summer tour as otherwise its a dead rubber...again sponsorship money

We are not in the position of France for eg to send a 2nd string on a summer tour as they have Top14 revenue.

The irfu are v aware of the financial situation esp post covid & the coffers required to keep irish players at home.

Some people call it conservative selections in the main but its been across previous head coaches terms imo.

I don't full agree with it but there's people on big salaries crunching numbers & this is the way it is i feel.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985325#Comment_123985325

As much as I agree with your point on the "great many Munster fans", on this…

it's the suggestion that because of a good 20 minute cameo against an exhausted Japan that he is again the best 10 in Ireland that I have an issue with tbh.

…. I don't think anyone on this thread has suggested this?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985325#Comment_123985325

you can't address the issues I have with the glaring lack of quality SP has been exhibiting this year to date,

It is impossible to address this because it is absurd hyperbole.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123984620#Comment_123984620

I know he wasn't in the original squad, but I can't get my head around JOB not being obviously a better bench option.

daithi7

Typical of you, you can't address the issues I have with the glaring lack of quality SP has been exhibiting this year to date, so instead you try to attack me & a' great many Munster fans' instead, like wtf!?

Firstly, I'm an Irish fan when supporting Ireland & always have been FYI.

Secondly, I'd like to think I know the difference between a young upcoming 10 with glaring weaknesses & inconsistencies in his game, and a slightly older, more accomplished & mature 10 who has a more rounded game, when I see them.

Thirdly, I have no issue with SP starting this weekend at 10 tbh. With 4 games I actually think that it's a great idea tbh (though I'd probably have started him v Japan myself), but it's the suggestion that because of a good 20 minute cameo against an exhausted Japan, that he is the best 10 in Ireland that I have an issue with tbh.... because performances do not support this.

I actually think SP may not even be the best 10 in Leinster (H Byrne when fit is probably better imho) not to mind for Ireland, where he is a long way off the requisite level still imho.

Lastly, wrt Crowley's performances for Ireland this AIs to date, I thought he was OK versus NZ but he forced it a bit too much at times, probably due to the pressure his pack were under, & also JGP at 9 had a real shocker that day. Against Japan I thought he was very good actually, passing & running well, scoring off a lovely multi phase try where he was heavily involved throughout, getting his place kicks, and as usual he defended excellently & offered his physical presence & attacking threat in midfield as always.

In this AIs, SP had an abysmal cameo vs NZ, where he threw 2 intercepts & missed several tackles, imho, and he had a good cameo vs a tiring Japan, where he passed, distributed & kicked well in fairness, in a type & stage of a game that was more likely to suit him.

It will be interesting to see how SP goes this weekend, as Aus are clearly road weary, & are unlikely to offer the physical contest that that most top tier sides can offer, so it's actually quite a good game to start him in imho, & I'm looking forward to seeing him play tbh.

P.s. However, don't get me going on possibly selecting Henshaw at 13, which is a woeful waste of a golden opportunity by AF to blood better 13s against a top side in a game that's likely to have a totally inconsequential result regardless. Truly baffling!!

FtD v2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985251#Comment_123985251

It would have to be this - Crowley to 15.

I could see Tommy O'Brien having the broad skillset to do the role, but I can't recall him playing there any time in senior rugby. This isn't a time you'd be wanting to find out. Crowley is the obvious call.

crisco10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985251#Comment_123985251

Yeah Crowley is cover for 10, 11, 14 and 15. Directly for 10/15 and push Mack to 11/14 if either of those lads get hurt.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123984620#Comment_123984620

Are the broad swipes at "a great many Munster fans" really necessary?

I could equally point out there are a great many Leinster fans who appear utteraly unable to take any kind of critical view of, say, Andy Farrell's selection policy as it pertains to Leinster players.

Where will that get us?

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985197#Comment_123985197

He is far less likely to see time at 10 with Aki on the bench I would think.

I have never understood Farrell's obsession with having centres on the bench, but basically any injury other than a centre and Crowley is covering. This both means he might come on at 15 and that he will be held in reserve longer.

breezy1985

Assuming he is gonna start against South Africa I think JGP could have done with another day off.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985240#Comment_123985240

Disagree tbh, it'd almost certainly be Crowley to 15, imo. (Pretty sure Crowley filled in there during the 6 Nations)

I don't think Henshaw has played 15 for Ireland (let alone filled in during a game?) since that famous England game… ?

shimmieandshake

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985220#Comment_123985220

I think you just started. Only joking!

Larbre34

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985197#Comment_123985197

Henshaw.

Aki into Centre.

ionadnapóca

1. Angus Bell (48 Tests) - #940; Hunters Hill Rugby Club

2. Matt Faessler (16 Tests) - #969; USQ Saints

3. Allan Alaalatoa (86 Tests) - #896; West Harbour Juniors

4. Jeremy Williams (23 Tests) – #973; Wahroonga Tigers

5. Tom Hooper (20 Tests) - #964; Bathurst Bulldogs

6. Rob Valetini (60 Tests) - #929; Harlequin Rugby Club

7. Fraser McReight (37 Tests) - #937; Albany Creek Brumbies

8. Harry Wilson (c) (34 Tests) - #933; Gunnedah Red Devils

9. Jake Gordon (35 Tests) - #925; Canterbury Juniors

10. James O’Connor (70 Tests) - #832; St Joseph’s College, Nudgee

11. Harry Potter (9 Tests) - #989; Moorabbin Rams

12. Len Ikitau (48 Tests) - #944; Tuggeranong Vikings

13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii (16 Tests) - #988; The Kings School

14. Filipo Daugunu (18 Tests) - #931; Wests Bulldogs

15. Max Jorgensen (18 Tests) - #984; Balmain Wolves

Substitutes

16. Billy Pollard (19 Tests) - #958; Lindfield Junior Rugby

17. Tom Robertson (38 Tests) - #898; Dubbo Kangaroos

18. Zane Nonggorr (18 Tests) - #966; Gold Coast Eagles

19. Nick Frost (36 Tests) - #953; Hornsby Lions

20. Carlo Tizzano (12 Tests) - #982; University of Western Australia

21. Ryan Lonergan (4 Tests) - #933; Tuggeranong Vikings

22. Tane Edmed (7 Tests) - #990; West Harbour Juniors

23. Andrew Kellaway (48 Tests) - #943; Hunters Hill Rugby Club

https://wallabies.rugby/news/wallabies-team-confirmed-to-play-ireland-in-dublin-20251113

Tom Hooper starting and Frost on the bench is a clear sign of Australia going to work on Irelands lineout all day.

For Petes Sake

Great to see the real 1st choice 10 back where he belongs.

I'm joking before anyone starts.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985177#Comment_123985177

Is this?

Do people need to chill a bit? Absolutely.

AbusesToilets

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985141#Comment_123985141

Why does it have to be a stop gap? Lowry and JOB are both regularly playing 15 for their club. Just commit to them as the 15 for Ireland. The assumption that Keenan automatically walks back into the starting team is wrongheaded to begin with, as much as I'm a fan.

He's compounding failures at this point. Let's weaken our midfield because he's chosen a 15 who's lacking in gametime too, and while he's at it, throw a player at 23 who only plays 12.

ionadnapóca

My Positives Only Slant:

Mack Hansen at FB - Might as well give it a go.

Paddy McCarthy starting - Massive vote of confidence. Nod maybe to Dickson (Porter scrum)

Caelan Doris & Jack Conan - Nod to future role for Doris and hopefully Gleeson. vdF is WC.

Thomas Clarkson & Cian Prendergast on the bench.

Would think Crowley will see time at 10 with Aki on the bench barring an injury.

Here's one....Hansen goes off...what's the re jig then?

Crowley straight to 15?

Former Former Former

That’s some ascent for McCarthy, amazing stuff.

That back three should be entertaining if nothing else.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985161#Comment_123985161

I agree he's not a 13 & hasn't been playing well.

Just making the point that as a coach there is enough uncertainty at 10/14& 15 coming into this window & adding a new 12/13 combo is not an option for Farrell

Former Former Former

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985161#Comment_123985161

mental gymnastics

Is that necessary?

AbusesToilets

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985036#Comment_123985036

Certainly take your point on their callowness. Farrell ought to have brought in at least 1 of Gavin or Postlewaithe, and left out Henshaw and Aki. Cooney is still very raw, but could've been included as a training panelist. It's negligence to persist with such clearly aging and diminished players.

awec

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123985141#Comment_123985141

I don't think anyone has a problem with reverting to tried and trusted.

But Robbie Henshaw is neither tried nor trusted at 13.

Robbie Henshaw has been bang average at best for over a year now. I think there's a lot of mental gymnastics required to try paint Henshaw as some sort of safe pair of hands at this point.

https://twitter.com/IrishRugby/status/1988970605463630288?t=XFK9nWBGb7iIpafD1s8Efw&s=09

Well Thornley wasn't wrong.

I suspect Crowley is going to find himself coming on not at 10 again. I have no idea what cover Aki is supposed to provide from the bench.

Clegg

Team has been named

Paddy McCarthy starts ,Doris is at 7 and Hansen is fullback.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123984999#Comment_123984999

A stop gap at 15 meant that a completely new midfield was never going to happen esp with the lack of clarity as to who the ultimate 10 is as well.

There is a reason why head coaches revert to tried & trusted even though we may not agree with it