Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

We definitely missed the extra bit of physicality that Joe McCarthy brings to the side. As soon as he's fit he slots back into the row alongside Beirne. Rugby has always been a physical game, but it seems like the 'meta' has tilted towards even more big hits and scrums, especially with the high kicking game to force knocks ons being en vogue.

It's a shame Edogbo was unavailable this series. We need another power second row. Probably wouldn't have played against the Boks but we could have seen what he's capable of against Japan at least.

The gig was up for Farrell at the end of the last world cup. At least he should have over hauled the coaching staff. That said hard to understand Ryans thinking or lack of. The South African non yellow as well was another joke. Ireland have tied with Fiji with 5 yellows in one game.

It won’t happen until after the next World Cup, but it would be great for the IRFU to make a play to get McNamara, Flannery and Jones into the Irish setup. In general Farrell has been brilliant for Ireland, but things look like they have naturally gone stale. An Irish head coach would be nice if someone is up to it tbh. Not sure if a Mark McCall would fit the bill but think changes are needed in the coaching team more than anything.

it was a very bad decision by crowley and at a costly time

however…..

realistically, 9 times out of 10 that is just given as a penalty unless its close to the tryline - i dont agree with this approach to be fair but it is generally the case. obviously ireland were racking up the warnings & cards at this stage but generally someone just on the pitch gets some amount of leeway

i also think prendergast got fairly shafted and his card should have gone elsewhere

I'm a bit surprised at all the negativity. For me it was a good effort against formidable opposition. The Springboks are the best team in the world.

A thought that struck me during the game is that Provinces who've been including NIQs in their first choice XXIIIs for their biggest games aren't doing all they could to help the national team. Especially in the front five. Ireland have to face the World Champions with Beirne and Baird and then Beirne and Prendergast in the second row, but Leinster need Snyman and Slimani in their side to contend with club teams? Clarkson should have been in the matchday squad versus Northampton last season. Baird would likely have more experience pushing in the second row without NIQ locks like Jenkins and Snyman playing at Leinster. Munster have the excuse that Kleyn was actually IQ for a time and just wasn't favoured by selectors.

And, yes, Leinster develop a lot of players for Ireland, but if they could do more why shouldn't they? Bit of a head scratcher for me.

We need to get real, the issue isn't at 10, we could have prime Dan Carter and it wouldn't make a difference. Pack looks underpowered in carrying and scrum and our backs, well no pace at all, centers are too old and predictable.

Changes I'd make

Doris to 7, either start Conan at 8 or my preference bring in Gleeson. This will add more size and power to the pack.

Porter can't scrum especially again the likes of England, France and SA, he can squat unreal weight so has the strength but can't apply it to the field, until he improves there he shouldn't be playing test level and this bollix of him playing 70 mins needs to stop.

Hugh Gavin and Postlewaithe, Bolton etc brought in ASAP, nows the time to do it.

Edwin Edogbo fast tracked in, him pairing with Joe Mccarthy is what we need.

The pack is 923kg and it’s full of athletes…there is no issue with physicality…and for the love of god can we stop talking about pace, there is more than enough…last night was a result of our ill discipline and lack of set piece. The centres were the exact same age as the SA centres. Every issue last night stems back to the level of coaching they are receiving, this issue is bigger because you know nothing will be done, we’ll be having the same conversation in February without a doubt.

With Joe there we still get monstered, 1 or 2 new players won’t make a tap of difference…it’s the coaching that’s the issue.

the players are the players and anyway fast tracking a load of lads won’t work under the Irish system - central contracts ensure that.
But what is in our power are the coaches. We should be constantly trying to hire the best in the world. Currently we don’t even have the best of the Irish coaches.

also the relationship between Irish rugby and our media is way too friendly when what is needed is a more confrontational relationship. There are so many questions over the years that supporters wanted asked but they never were, that’s shocking.

there was a few questions we wanted answered last night, but they were also not asked. And I am not saying be jerks about it. Sad state of affairs.

There’s plenty, this is just another red herring to distract from the actual issue.

With the level of coaching we are getting we won’t generate go forward against anyone in the 6N.

On field leadership is completely lacking in the last 12 months. I'm still not convinced about Doris as captain, yes he's our best back row, but I'm still not seeing him as captain material. His pathetic excuse in the post match interview vs. Japan about the stadium acoustics messing up the lineout calls was silly. However, there aren't any others putting their hands up as a leader either.

There isn't any leadership coming from the coaching staff either. Porter should have been hooked in the 1st 30 mins last night. And should be wearing the 17 jersey until he can demonstrate that he can scrummage and stop giving away needless penalties. The time for nicey pie is long over. Tough decisions need to be made.