Your Team To Play Australia

maddragon · 11-09-2011 10:30PM

danthefan wrote: »

Yeah sorry, I'm too downbeat even to joke about it at this stage.

I know how you feel. As an avid rugby fan this group of players have given me some of the happiest moments I can remember whether it be in Munster, Leinster or Ireland jerseys. Gaffney is not doing his job with the backs and Kidneys selection policy is unfathomable. Sad thing is Australia look beatable and SA or Wales in a quarter final are nothing to fear either but not with this Ireland team in the disarray it's in now.

maddragon · 11-09-2011 10:33PM

durkadurka wrote: »

Mine would be

Healy
Fla
Ross

DOC
POC

Ferris
O'Brien
Heaslip

Reddan
Sexton

Trimble
McFadden
BOD
Bowe
Kearney

Bench: Court , best , Cullen , Jennings , Murray , ROG , Earls

+1

andrewdcs · 11-09-2011 10:35PM

Having thought about it all day, having ruled out all the various issues with individual and collective accountability, having watched Ireland all through the 80s 90s and 00s I am pretty certain that I have ascertained the issue, and can propose a solution.

The issue: This Ireland team has a bad juju.

The solution: http://www.blesstheworld.com/spiritual_remedies.html

theboss80 · 11-09-2011 10:40PM

danthefan wrote: »

That's fine, I'm aware people have their views on who should start, but I'm of the view that it really doesn't matter. We are going to lose. How is this not a valid viewpoint?

Never said it wasn't valid at all. Just a crap attitude towards a valid thread. But its your opinion which you are entitled to as much as the next man.

Quint2010 · 11-09-2011 10:41PM

maddragon wrote: »

Patrick Sarsfield
Brian Boru
Niall of the Nine hostages
St Brendan
Finn McCool
Hugh O'Neill
Silken Thomas
Wolfe Tone
Robert Emmet
Cathal Brugha
Tom Barry
Sean Lemass
Jim Larkin
Kelly the boy from Kilane
Michael Collins

I particularly like Lemass at outhalf as he had good form in changing the course of a game. Tinkered with putting in James Connolly as an impact dub from the bench but his injury record comes against him.

What about Bobby Sands? Or do you think he'd be starved of possession...

BERBA · 11-09-2011 10:41PM

danthefan wrote: »

That's fine, I'm aware people have their views on who should start, but I'm of the view that it really doesn't matter. We are going to lose. How is this not a valid viewpoint?

and you'll be ireland number 1 fan if they win next sat eh?:rolleyes:

.ak · 11-09-2011 10:41PM

andrewdcs wrote: »

Having thought about it all day, having ruled out all the various issues with individual and collective accountability, having watched Ireland all through the 80s 90s and 00s I am pretty certain that I have ascertained the issue, and can propose a solution.

The issue: This Ireland team has a bad juju.

The solution: http://www.blesstheworld.com/spiritual_remedies.html

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHARFFLFFOLMAMAOLOLOLOLOL!! :pac: I'm in tears here...

chris85 · 11-09-2011 10:42PM

danthefan wrote: »

Don't tell other people how to post, honestly. I don't care what you think. If you're so upset hit the report button.

Its the internet. Ironic you are telling me how to post about not telling what other people should post.

I am not concerned what you think tbh but the thread is about your team to start and i dont think saying we are going to get humped is valid opinion to it.

There are other threads for that.

.ak · 11-09-2011 10:51PM

Hrmm, good thread tho.. I think the majority of us are in agreement with the who we'd like to see starting, there's some slight differences in everyones posts, but the funny thing is we'll see some unusual picks come saturday, because that's how Kidney does... :P

My 2c...

Healy
Best
Ross
DOC
POC
SOB
Leamy
Heaslip
Reddan
Sexton
Trimble
McFadden
BOD
Bowe
Kearney
Court
Flannery
Cullen
Ferris
Murray
ROG
Earls

Couple of things: The SH/FH pairing is so important from the kick off... I'm not wearing blue-tinted shades here, I honestly think Sexton and Reddan on their best days will compete with the best. Also communication is key.. if Kidney decides to start ROG, that's fine, that's understandable.. but he must start a familiar SH with him: Murray. No more of this mixing at the pivot...

Leamy at 7? I know, but SOB is a world class 6, and that'll be one of our few strengths.. Also he can move about for Ferris to come on as an impact sub.

Earls as replacement? Well if dreams come through and Kidney drops Darce for McFadden we'll need someone that can double up as FB if Kearney takes a blow.. Earls had a great game at FB in march, and is looking less like a finisher these days.. he'd be ideal at FB cover, or just a general 22. More than likely Wallace will get this role.

corny · 11-09-2011 10:55PM

durkadurka wrote: »

Mine would be

Healy
Fla
Ross

DOC
POC

Ferris
O'Brien
Heaslip

Reddan
Sexton

Trimble
McFadden
BOD
Bowe
Kearney

Bench: Court , best , Cullen , Jennings , Murray , ROG , Earls

I'd love to see McFadden at 12 and he deserves his chance but i'd be very surprised if Kidney picks him.

joshrogan · 11-09-2011 10:57PM

I think the occasion of the world cup has gotten to Sexton. I don't think he should start this game and shouldn't come on unless ROG makes a series of blunders.

corny · 11-09-2011 10:57PM

.ak wrote: »

Leamy at 7? I know, but SOB is a world class 6, and that'll be one of our few strengths.. Also he can move about for Ferris to come on as an impact sub.

Can't believe you made me read that.:D

Conas · 11-09-2011 11:01PM

1 Cian "Baby Elephant" Healy
2 Rory "Flipper" Best
3 Mike "Rhino" Ross
4 Leo "Long Sheep" Cullen
5 Paul "Redser" O Connell
6 Stephen "Glassman" Ferris
7 Shane "Gouge Kennedy" Jennings
8 Sean "If there's no hole, I'll make one" O'Brien
9 Eoin "Smallfry" Reddan
10 Johnny "Sex is dire, but can be on fire" Sexton
11 Andrew "hercules" Trimble
12 Fergus "Skippy" McFadden
13 Brian "Drico" O Driscoll
14 Tommy "Long Johns" Bowe
15 Geordan "Tiger Smurf" Murphy

Quint2010 · 11-09-2011 11:13PM

Conas wrote: »

1 Cian "Baby Elephant" Healy
2 Rory "Flipper" Best
3 Mike "Rhino" Ross
4 Leo "Long Sheep" Cullen
5 Paul "Redser" O Connell
6 Stephen "Glassman" Ferris
7 Shane "Gouge Kennedy" Jennings
8 Sean "If there's no hole, I'll make one" O'Brien
9 Eoin "Smallfry" Reddan
10 Johnny "Sex is dire, but can be on fire" Sexton
11 Andrew "hercules" Trimble
12 Fergus "Skippy" McFadden
13 Brian "Drico" O Driscoll
14 Tommy "Long Johns" Bowe
15 Geordan "Tiger Smurf" Murphy

Healy's nickname is "Church"

wicklowwonder · 11-09-2011 11:16PM

healy
best
ross

leo
poc

ferris
jennings
sob

reddan
sexton

trimble
Ferg
bod
bowe
rob

we cannot kick without finding touch v oz cause they will kill us with loose ball! Cooper will score tries from everywhere if we start kicking wildly! We need keep ball in hand, keep it tight until we get quick ball. We cannot go into the game without an out and out 7 or we wont compete at ruck time. heaslip to come on for SOB after 55-60 mins! I worry if we have to take off one of our props court isnt good enough.

Flincher · 11-09-2011 11:17PM

jacothelad wrote: »

I thought Murray was average to dross during the game. I watched it again this afternoon - masochism really - and I have to say he was pretty awful. Poor options, bad passes, slow getting the ball away, knocking on, slow getting to rucks. His main ploy is simply to look for POC and shovel the ball to him even when he is in totally the wrong place. He may become a good player but he isn't one yet. Instead of playing Murray with ROG and Sexton with Reddan or Boss he does neither.

As the vast majority of our World Cup Squad have shown since early, there's a very significant different between being a bad player and having a bad game.

To suggest Murray isn't a good player in light of the 50 minutes or so he got today is stretching it, even assuming your assessment of his performance is accurate.

Given the conditions, I thought he did an alright job. I remember him knocking on once, and I think it was a marginal call, I remember him appealing to Joubert that it went backwards. Regarding shovelling the ball to O'Connell, well POC and Ferris were the only 2 offering themselves to carry ball, its natural enough that he'd pass the ball to him often enough. I thought he had a couple of decent half breaks, his kicking was ok, and his passing not as bad as you're making out. I'm not pretending he was world class, but he didn't disgrace himself, and it's not like Reddan turned in a significantly better performance when he came on.

That said, Reddan to start with Murray on the bench next week for me.

Reloc8 · 11-09-2011 11:19PM

Not going to happen but here is my team :-

1. Cian Healy (presume fit)
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross

4. Stephen Ferris
5. Paul O'Connell

6. Sean O'Brien (presume fit)
7. Shane Jennings
8. Jamie Heaslip

9. Eoin Reddan
10. Jonathon Sexton

11 Andrew Trimble
12. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
14. Keith Earls

15. Rob Kearney

16. Tom Court
17. Jerry Flannery
17. Tony Buckley (pewk but what can you do)
18. Denis Leamy
19. Donncha O'Callaghan
20. Ronan O'Gara
21. Issac Boss
22. Fergus McFadden

To a certain extent I am basing this around having the Leinster 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 on the pitch and in their starting positions. DOC loses out for giving away silly penalties and because we must have Ferris on the pitch, all the more so when losing David Wallace. I think he would cope fine with 4.

Leo Cullen unlucky to miss out on the bench. Ronan O'Gara very unlucky to stay on the bench but I will persevere for one more start with Sexton...that's a very marginal call.

Kearney for Murphy...just because I have mortal fear of Murphy in defence...he just seems to miss one crucial tackle in every crunch match for Ireland.

Tommy Bowe at 12 is my dark horse. I would regard him and BOD as inter-changeable between 12 and 13 depending on the circumstances. Yes I know its not been done...almost seems like something that should by now have been tried doesn't it.

jacothelad · 11-09-2011 11:21PM

.ak wrote: »

Hrmm, good thread tho.. I think the majority of us are in agreement with the who we'd like to see starting, there's some slight differences in everyones posts, but the funny thing is we'll see some unusual picks come saturday, because that's how Kidney does... :P

My 2c...
Healy

Best

Ross

DOC

POC

SOB

Leamy

Heaslip

Reddan

Sexton

Trimble

McFadden

BOD

Bowe

Kearney

Court

Flannery

Cullen

Ferris

Murray

ROG

Earls

Couple of things: The SH/FH pairing is so important from the kick off... I'm not wearing blue-tinted shades here, I honestly think Sexton and Reddan on their best days will compete with the best. Also communication is key.. if Kidney decides to start ROG, that's fine, that's understandable.. but he must start a familiar SH with him: Murray. No more of this mixing at the pivot...

Leamy at 7? I know, but SOB is a world class 6, and that'll be one of our few strengths.. Also he can move about for Ferris to come on as an impact sub.

Earls as replacement? Well if dreams come through and Kidney drops Darce for McFadden we'll need someone that can double up as FB if Kearney takes a blow.. Earls had a great game at FB in march, and is looking less like a finisher these days.. he'd be ideal at FB cover, or just a general 22. More than likely Wallace will get this role.

Nice of you to post on here Denis. Seriously, just about the most barking choice possible.

What is the relationship between dropping Darcy and fullback cover.

danthefan · 11-09-2011 11:24PM

BERBA wrote: »

and you'll be ireland number 1 fan if they win next sat eh?:rolleyes:

I will support the team as ever.

bm1993 · 11-09-2011 11:27PM

Healy
Best
Ross
Cullen
O'Connell
Ferris
O'Brien
Heaslip
Reddan
Sexton
Trimble
McFadden
O'Driscoll
Bowe
Kearney

Reps:
Flannery
Court
O'Callaghan
Jennings
Boss
O'Gara
Earls

Sandwlch · 11-09-2011 11:44PM

Australia game a lost cause.

We should still play our best team though, and try to keep the score down as far as possible to retain some self respect. I think there is still some hope we can beat Italy - and some people are being overly cautious giving Earls and Darcy a rest for the Aus game to protect them.

corny · 11-09-2011 11:51PM

Reloc8 wrote: »

Not going to happen but here is my team :-

1. Cian Healy (presume fit)
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross

4. Stephen Ferris
5. Paul O'Connell

6. Sean O'Brien (presume fit)
7. Shane Jennings
8. Jamie Heaslip

9. Eoin Reddan
10. Jonathon Sexton

11 Andrew Trimble
12. Tommy Bowe
13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
14. Keith Earls

15. Rob Kearney

16. Tom Court
17. Jerry Flannery
17. Tony Buckley (pewk but what can you do)
18. Denis Leamy
19. Donncha O'Callaghan
20. Ronan O'Gara
21. Issac Boss
22. Fergus McFadden

I think its a real shame neither of these options have been explored in the last couple of years. I mean if we had two performing second rows there wouldn't be an issue but DOC adds sweet FA to the team. If shifting Ferris to an unnatural position makes room for a more effective player i'd be all for it. Same can be said Darcy in recent times, although i'd still try McFadden before Bowe.

The time has come and gone for experimentation though and the tried and trusted, at least DK's idea of the tried and trusted, will take the field on Saturday.

Monty Burnz · 11-09-2011 11:54PM

maddragon wrote: »

Patrick Sarsfield
Brian Boru
Niall of the Nine hostages
St Brendan
Finn McCool
Hugh O'Neill
Silken Thomas
Wolfe Tone
Robert Emmet
Cathal Brugha
Tom Barry
Sean Lemass
Jim Larkin
Kelly the boy from Kilane
Michael Collins

I particularly like Lemass at outhalf as he had good form in changing the course of a game. Tinkered with putting in James Connolly as an impact dub from the bench but his injury record comes against him.

With that backline, we'll have a lot of shooters in defence.

tolosenc · 11-09-2011 11:55PM

We could go with:

Court, Cronin, Buckle, DOC, Ryan, Leamy, Jennings, Heaslip, Murray, Wallace, Kearney, McFadden, Earls, Trimble, Murphy

And just start working towards Italy.

Reloc8 · 12-09-2011 12:08AM

corny wrote: »

The time has come and gone for experimentation though and the tried and trusted, at least DK's idea of the tried and trusted, will take the field on Saturday.

Oh yeah I don't doubt it.

But if we had a little bit of clear thinking from the management...playing Ferris at 4 against Australia is not really experimentation or certainly not risky, shall we say...

...and we should, one way or the other, be expecting to play not less than four more games of which two will be genuine **** or bust (Italy and the QF) so I say starting Bowe at 12 makes so much sense its almost like not doing it would be crazy.

But here is the team Kidney will in fact pick, assuming all fit :-

1. Healy
2. Flannery
3. Best
4. DOC
5. POC
6. SOB
7. Jennings
8. Heaslip
9. Reddan
10. O'Gara
11. Earls
12. D'Arcy
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

Subs :-

16. Best
17. Buckley
18. Court
19. Donncha Ryan
20. Sexton.
21. Boss.
22. Trimble.

The problem he/the Irish management seem to have is that theylook at it on paper and it looks like a great side, how could you play badly ? They're in a brain freeze and not seeing what is really there to be seen.

Fireball07 · 12-09-2011 12:27AM

theboss80 wrote: »

Mine would be

Healy
Best
Ross

DOC
POC

Ferris
O'Brien
Heaslip

Reddan
ROG

Trimble
McFadden
BOD
Bowe
Kearney

Bench: Court , Flannery , Cullen , Jennings , Murray , Sexton , Earls

I agree with this really. Wouldn't mind seeing Flannery start, I just think the line-out works better with him and we'll need it, but hard to drop Best after that performance.

And I think D'Arcy will start...but I'd pick McFadden.

maddragon wrote: »

Patrick Sarsfield
Brian Boru
Niall of the Nine hostages
St Brendan
Finn McCool
Hugh O'Neill
Silken Thomas
Wolfe Tone
Robert Emmet
Cathal Brugha
Tom Barry
Sean Lemass
Jim Larkin
Kelly the boy from Kilane
Michael Collins

I particularly like Lemass at outhalf as he had good form in changing the course of a game. Tinkered with putting in James Connolly as an impact dub from the bench but his injury record comes against him.

Not a bad team at all...but I'd question the big game temperament of Robert Emmet and Wolfe Tone. Bring in Cuchulainn, Jackie Charlton and Mushy Buckley and that time could beat anyone.

EDIT: Christy Moore and Shane McGowan to do the team-talk.

Cpt_Blackbeard · 12-09-2011 12:29AM

The biggest selection issues for the AUS match surround the backrow and 12 jersey imo. Houdini (Yup, I'm starting to call him that now) is in terrible form and is living off his reputation and D'Arcy isn't the first cousin of an international centre any more.

Houdini deserves to be dropped but, without Wallace we don't have many options in the backrow. As good as Jennings can be for Leinster, he doesn't have the physicality for international rugby. Leamy has had a poor enough season and was anonymous yesterday, but he can match anyone in physcality stakes. Ryan isn't anything but an emergency option off the bench. If Leamy can watch his penalty count, I wouldn't mind seeing him at 7 provided he is just told to hit rucks all day, so SOB can concentrate on his carrying (from 8). Kidney's refusal to consider Wilson or Coughlan is really harming us since Wallace's injury.

A backrow of 6. Ferris, 7. Leamy, 8. SOB, would be incredibly abbrasive. Our only way to beat Australia, is to beat them up front but, the above backrow would probably too big of a risk. I'd love if the above backrow was picked and it worked out. Dropping Heaslip would be the best way of making him realise that he isn't untouchable and that he needs to up his game.

D'Arcy has to be dropped. He has offered nothing on the international scene for quite a while (Indian Summer last August aside). The question now surrounds who we will (hopefully) replace him with - do we choose Wallace, McFadden or Sexton? McFadden seems the obvious choice for the 12 jersey, as he brings a similar skillset to the team but, he appears to be pretty far down the pecking order.

Believe it or not but, I actually am a fan of Wallace's game but, he is not used to his strengths by Ireland. We use him as the world's smallest crashball merchant and it is a waste of a talented and skillful 12. The more I think of it though, Sexton could offer so much more than Wallace at 12. I was originally against playing him in the centre, but he might just thrive with someone else managing the game at 10. He is solid in defense and has a decent running game (better than D'Arcy or Wallace anyway). I know that Kidney said that playing him at 12 against France was a once-off but, it wouldn't be unimagineable for Kidney to make a big call like that.

So, here's the team I would currently choose:

1. Healy
2. Best - It would be wrong to drop him after today's performance.
3. Ross
4. DOC
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. Leamy - I would have no problem starting Houdini if he could up his game but, as I see it we are unlikely to win the game so we might as well try and get him up to pace by the Italy game. Dropping him is the best way imo.
8. SOB
9. Murray - He showed enough when he wasn't getting swarmed by the opposition forwards to earn a start. And as all the Leinster posters always say, we should keep the provincial pairings together :P .
10. ROG
11. Trimble
12. Sexton
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Kearney - I haven't actually decided if we should go for the safe option or go for the more dangerous Earls, as he is unlikely to be tested under the highball. Earls hasn't played 15 this season though, so its likely Kearney will get the nod.

Fireball07 · 12-09-2011 12:42AM

Cpt_Blackbeard wrote: »

The biggest selection issues for the AUS match surround the backrow and 12 jersey imo. Houdini (Yup, I'm starting to call him that now) is in terrible form and is living off his reputation and D'Arcy isn't the first cousin of an international centre any more.

Houdini deserves to be dropped but, without Wallace we don't have many options in the backrow. As good as Jennings can be for Leinster, he doesn't have the physicality for international rugby. Leamy has had a poor enough season and was anonymous yesterday, but he can match anyone in physcality stakes. Ryan isn't anything but an emergency option off the bench. If Leamy can watch his penalty count, I wouldn't mind seeing him at 7 provided he is just told to hit rucks all day, so SOB can concentrate on his carrying (from 8). Kidney's refusal to consider Wilson or Coughlan is really harming us since Wallace's injury.

A backrow of 6. Ferris, 7. Leamy, 8. SOB, would be incredibly abbrasive. Our only way to beat Australia, is to beat them up front but, the above backrow would probably too big of a risk. I'd love if the above backrow was picked and it worked out. Dropping Heaslip would be the best way of making him realise that he isn't untouchable and that he needs to up his game.

D'Arcy has to be dropped. He has offered nothing on the international scene for quite a while (Indian Summer last August aside). The question now surrounds who we will (hopefully) replace him with - do we choose Wallace, McFadden or Sexton? McFadden seems the obvious choice for the 12 jersey, as he brings a similar skillset to the team but, he appears to be pretty far down the pecking order.

Believe it or not but, I actually am a fan of Wallace's game but, he is not used to his strengths by Ireland. We use him as the world's smallest crashball merchant and it is a waste of a talented and skillful 12. The more I think of it though, Sexton could offer so much more than Wallace at 12. I was originally against playing him in the centre, but he might just thrive with someone else managing the game at 10. He is solid in defense and has a decent running game (better than D'Arcy or Wallace anyway). I know that Kidney said that playing him at 12 against France was a once-off but, it wouldn't be unimagineable for Kidney to make a big call like that.

So, here's the team I would currently choose:

1. Healy
2. Best - It would be wrong to drop him after today's performance.
3. Ross
4. DOC
5. POC
6. Ferris
7. Leamy - I would have no problem starting Houdini if he could up his game but, as I see it we are unlikely to win the game so we might as well try and get him up to pace by the Italy game. Dropping him is the best way imo.
8. SOB
9. Murray - He showed enough when he wasn't getting swarmed by the opposition forwards to earn a start. And as all the Leinster posters always say, we should keep the provincial pairings together :P .
10. ROG
11. Trimble
12. Sexton
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Kearney - I haven't actually decided if we should go for the safe option or go for the more dangerous Earls, as he is unlikely to be tested under the highball. Earls hasn't played 15 this season though, so its likely Kearney will get the nod.

I agree with some of your arguments but Leamy ahead of Jennings at 7 makes no sense really? I like Leamy, but he's not a 7...and he won't do any better than Jennings. I think Heaslip should start but I'd go along with dropping him since he has been playing nowhere near as well as he can.

And as for Sexton at 12, that's very unlikely to happen but I really think it'd be a better option than D'Arcy at the moment. Murray/Reddan at 9...Reddan was better today but I think Murray would do okay. But I think if O'Gara starts, Reddan does too.

12-09-2011 12:52AM

Healy
Best
Ross
POC
DOC
SOB
Ferris
Heaslip
Genia
Quade Cooper
Ioeva
Ashley Cooper
Faing'a
James O'Connor
Beale

12-09-2011 12:54AM

If leamy starts at 7 vs any team that actually has professional rugby in their country, Kidney should walk the plank publicly

Your Team To Play Australia

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