Scotland v Ireland (pre/during/post thread)

Rattlehead_ie wrote: »

Big change that I saw today about the whole Irish squad is that Kidney is using his bench and its great to see. O'Leary on to close off the game and slow it down. Murphy on to although carry it forward like Kearney, Murphy has a bit more strenght to hold a ball up IMO (not that it ever counts )

I think that has been one of the biggest plus's since Kindney took over.

For example people have different opinions about whether Best or Flannery should start - but its pretty certain that 90% of the time whichever one has sat on the bench for 60 mins is a better bet for the final 20 minutes - same with Leamy / Heaslip . Ferris etc.

Having a bench we can use as a weapon - rather then to replace our injured players is a real mentality shift for us - and a great step forward IMO

Catmologen wrote: »

For me it was a toss up between ROG and Stringer for man of the match. Personally I would have given it to ROG, such a flawless comeback hasn't been seen since Elvis in 68'.
I'm delighted for him after the all the stick he got last week. Funny that theres nobody praising him on here

I'm wondering which game you were watching that you would say that, yes his place kicking was back on form and the drop goal was good but ask yourself was he involved in the try? what did he do constructively as a ten, his kicking from hand was ineffective there was at least two occasions when he got the ball in hand and visibly didn't know what to do with it. He is allowing the players outside him to decide what is happening rather than taking decisions himself. The outhalf is the fulcrum for the whole team and should impose himself on the game something ROG has not done in a green jersey for a long long time. Man of the match?, he wouldn't be in my top ten Irish players let alone the best!

phog wrote: »

He kicked 10 times, passed 34, ran twice and tackled 9 times and you didn't notice him, were you watching it on the radio?

Impressive stats indeed. Credit where credits due, he gets enough of a panning on here when he has what's deemed to be a bad game.Well done on reaching the points milestone as well ROG.

thehighground wrote: »

Reading your post one would get the impression that you were nominating him for 'Worst Player of the Match' though.

Fair play to ROG for coming back as he did from the England game and congratulations on the new record.

Mate he's only responding to some who said that he felt it was between ROG and Stringer for man of the match.

stephen_n wrote: »

Man of the match?, he wouldn't be in my top ten Irish players let alone the best!

That's a completely ridiculous point of view and it makes little sense, you cant be basing that on his performance on the field of play yesterday.


.5 difference between ROG and Stringer, thats about right for me.



Player Ratings
Ratings by Brian Jaffray



Ireland


Rob kearney 6


Looked less secure than in previous outings although he was always looking to run the ball. Few wild kicks took some gloss off his performance.


tOMMY BOWE 6


Apart from one poorly executed up-and-under, never got involved in the general play. Not his fault as you can't do much if you don't get ball.


bRIAN O'DRISCOLL 7.5


Another towering performance. Brilliant tackle on Evans prevented a certain try just before the break and probably saved the Grand Slam dream.


Gordon d'arcy6


Super tackle as Paterson was preparing to pounce but struggled to make much of an impact. Still a better option than Paddy Wallace.


LUKE FITZGERALD 7.5


Ever alert and always willing to get involved. Ran his heart out for the cause. This guy is the genuine article and a certainty for the Lions.


RONAN O'GARA 7.5


Croke Park nightmare confined to history books. Super tackle on Danielli prevented an early try. Looks far more comfortable with his soul mate alongside him.


Peter Stringer 8


So the little general is past it then! Write this man off at your peril. Brilliant break put the try for Heaslip on a plate. Now odds-on to start in Cardiff


Marcus horan 6.5


Another workmanlike display from the Munster man. Held his own in the tight against what is a formidable Scottish front row.


Rory Best 7


One of his better games. Had point to prove and duly obliged. Will provide a selection headache for Kidney ahead of Cardiff.


john hayes 6


Struggled in the scrums according to referee Jonathan Kaplin... but who cares! Ninety three caps with more to come. Award this man the 'Freedom of Bruff'!


donncha o'callaghan 6.5


As ever, gave it his all. Destined to be always over-shadowed as long as O'Connell is his partner in the second row.


paul o'connell 7


Heart of a Lion and led by example throughout with his carries. Took game by scruff of the neck after getting earful from Kidney at half-time.


stephen ferris 7.5


Covered every blade of grass in Murrayfield. A big-hitter and simply superb in contact. A true physical presence on the field.


david wallace 6


Fumble early on set the tone for his performance. Despite his head bandage catching the eye this was not one of Wally's better days in the green jersey.


Denis Leamy 6.5


Although only on the pitch for 33 minutes did more than enough to justify his selection over Heaslip. Injury will make Kidney's choice much easier for Cardiff.


subs


Jamie Heaslip Made the most of Leamy's misfortune. Won the lineout that led to his own try. Forget the showboating, Jamie. 6.5


Jerry Flannery Over-threw the ball with his first lineout. Anxious few days ahead of him. 6


TomÁs O'Leary Failed to make an impression. Will be watching from the stands next Saturday night. 6


Geordan Murphy Not on long enough to be rated.




http://www.tribune.ie/article/2009/mar/15/player-ratings/

sock puppet wrote: »

I'm pretty sure it was actually Fitzgerald made that tackle.

You'd wonder whether these guys that do these ratings have actually watched the game at all. For example crediting O'Driscoll for the try saving tackle at the end of the first half, and completely ignoring the fact that it was Tommy Bowe who actually saved the try, O'Driscoll's was a simple track back and tackle, if anything you could criticise him for not making more effort initially when the kick went over his head. (Not crapping on BOD here, he had a good game and had he not been there Bowe wouldn't have got the result he deserved)

Stealdo wrote: »

You'd wonder whether these guys that do these ratings have actually watched the game at all. For example crediting O'Driscoll for the try saving tackle at the end of the first half, and completely ignoring the fact that it was Tommy Bowe who actually saved the try, O'Driscoll's was a simple track back and tackle, if anything you could criticise him for not making more effort initially when the kick went over his head. (Not crapping on BOD here, he had a good game and had he not been there Bowe wouldn't have got the result he deserved)

He said of Leamy too "Although only on the pitch for 33 minutes did more than enough to justify his selection over Heaslip." LOL 33 mins and he did nothing eyecatching. Got turned over in midfield thats it. Heaslip lead from the front against France and put in huge workrate against Italy and England. Absolute nonsense.

To say that he wasn't in the top ten players on the pitch is fairly ridiculous alright...

Catmologen wrote: »

To say that he wasn't in the top ten players on the pitch is fairly ridiculous alright...

Right but you refuse again to say what aspect of his game deserved a better rating? and also you choose to ignore the valid points I have put forward but your right my point is ridiculous alright lol

jayteecork wrote: »

Sure they take 45 players now, and seeing as 4 the first teams of the 4 eligible nations consist of 60 players you could say he's a good shout.

Personally I would start him on the wing in the first team but when someone says to me a player is a cert for the Lions,it means they will start.