Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

.ak · 20-02-2015 01:24PM

Yeah but they wouldn't get anything done. They'd just been on a constant roll over.

rrpc · 20-02-2015 01:46PM

.ak wrote: »

Yeah but they wouldn't get anything done. They'd just been on a constant roll over.

Are you talking to yourself?

.ak · 20-02-2015 01:47PM

It would seem that way, yes.

rrpc · 20-02-2015 01:48PM

total former wrote: »

I don't think 'Yeah_Right' was criticising Sexton for making the tackles or for being macho, just for his technique. The point is that Neil Francis was blaming Bastareaud for charging into Sexton when the fault actually lies with Sexton for going in too high.

Overall, I'd say the above post is 100% wrong in literally every point it makes.

Not sure why the ball carrier should be criticised for going in too high. Bastereaud was the tackler in that instance, does he not dictate the height of the tackle?

.ak · 20-02-2015 01:52PM

Both the tackler and the carrier can dictate a lot of things. One thing I've always took from training is my coach telling me to 'take contact on your terms', be it as a defender or the carrier it rings true. As a carrier I'll always try to get my head and shoulders lower then theirs, keeping the ball away from the tackle and leading with the shoulder. Protects your head and the ball.

stephen_n · 20-02-2015 02:29PM

Typical Francis, a reasonable piece of analysis completely overshadowed by a load of BS. Clearly chasing the following of those who think Basteraud tried to headbutt Sexton :rolleyes: Basteraud was definitely guilty of leading with the elbow a couple of times during the game but any suggestion that he deliberately targeted Sextons head is just total crap. Kind of ironic since Franno would never have been known as a particularly clean player.

dtpc191991 · 21-02-2015 12:49AM

Long range forecasts predicting light rain and sunny spells on the Sunday of the England game. I know these things aren't very accurate this far put but the BBC are normally pretty good at it.

bilston · 21-02-2015 12:52AM

dtpc191991 wrote: »

Long range forecasts predicting light rain and sunny spells on the Sunday of the England game. I know these things aren't very accurate this far put but the BBC are normally pretty good at it.

Go over to the weather forum and they'll tell you anything over 5 days is fantasy island forecasting.

I'm not sure what suits us best to be honest. The wet might suit their big pack, but then their backs are looking sharp so maybe a dry track will suit them too.

Morf · 21-02-2015 02:32AM

bilston wrote: »

Go over to the weather forum and they'll tell you anything over 5 days is fantasy island forecasting.

Chaos theory.

thomond2006 · 21-02-2015 05:25PM

Earls and Fitzgerald have both put their hand up. I'd be happy with either to displace Payne.

irishbucsfan · 21-02-2015 05:31PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Earls and Fitzgerald have both put their hand up. I'd be happy with either to displace Payne.

They're both such great players. Overall I'm just happy to have them back and fit. I'd have Earls in that 23 jersey myself (I still worry about Fitz' fitness).

thomond2006 · 21-02-2015 05:33PM

I've said previously that I would pick Earls ahead of Zebo on the wing but Zebo has played well for Ireland so far so I hope he isn't displaced. Zebo's abilities in the air also suit the current gameplan which involves a lot of kick chases.

total former · 21-02-2015 05:37PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Earls and Fitzgerald have both put their hand up. I'd be happy with either to displace Payne.

A couple more performances from D'Arcy like last night and he might come into the frame, maybe shift Henshaw to 13.

Not advocating dropping Payne but would like to see a couple more combinations tried.

Mahatma Geansai · 21-02-2015 05:40PM

total former wrote: »

A couple more performances from D'Arcy like last night and he might come into the frame, maybe shift Henshaw to 13.

Not advocating dropping Payne but would like to see a couple more combinations tried.

A decent game against Zebre won't undo the effects of Father Time. D'Arcy just isn't near the required standard.

Swiwi. · 21-02-2015 05:40PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Nobody will convince me that Bastareaud wanted to target Sexton's head. Aside from the obvious reasons, Bastareaud himself is actually a good character.

No he's not sorry t2006. Gets drunk and injures himself, fabricates story about racially motivated attack. Not how I define good character.

21-02-2015 05:42PM

Swiwi. wrote: »

No he's not sorry t2006. Gets drunk and injures himself, fabricates story about racially motivated attack. Not how I define good character.

Notwithstanding, I still wouldn't believe there was any intent in the incident with Sexton.

Swiwi. · 21-02-2015 05:45PM

Tara Small Yawn wrote: »

Notwithstanding, I still wouldn't believe there was any intent in the incident with Sexton.

I agree totally.

thomond2006 · 21-02-2015 05:53PM

Swiwi. wrote: »

No he's not sorry t2006. Gets drunk and injures himself, fabricates story about racially motivated attack. Not how I define good character.

He then tried to commit suicide and attended counselling. He clearly had some demons so I'll give him a pass for what happened in NZ (although I appreciate what a ****storm that was for NZ).

Swiwi. · 21-02-2015 05:55PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

He then tried to commit suicide and had to attend counselling. He clearly had some demons so I'll give him a pass for what happened in NZ (although I appreciate what a ****storm that was for NZ).

Ah I genuinely didn't know about the suicide bit so if true I moderate my comments.

thomond2006 · 21-02-2015 05:57PM

Swiwi. wrote: »

Ah I genuinely didn't know about the suicide bit so if true I moderate my comments.

It didn't get as much coverage as the incident in NZ but yes unfortunately that was the case: http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2010/feb/03/mathieu-bastareaud-france-scotland-six-nations. He was only 21 at the time and perhaps getting to international level was too much to handle for him.

He's a good character in general. I can't recall any other incidents, on field or off field. He comes across really well in interviews.

total former · 21-02-2015 06:01PM

Yeah he was 21. If we all had the things we did at 21 following us around...

Swiwi. · 21-02-2015 06:06PM

total former wrote: »

Yeah he was 21. If we all had the things we did at 21 following us around...

All the same. If you have a sporting tourist visiting Ireland who gets drunk, injures themself, and then blames 4 or 5 racist Irish knackers and sparks a police investigation and a bit of a minor diplomatic incident it does leave a bit of a sour taste in the mouth. But yes I did get savagely drunk at 21 and do stupid things too.

CatFromHue · 21-02-2015 06:41PM

Didn't think he said there was any racial element of the supposed attack either.

.ak · 21-02-2015 07:36PM

thomond2006 wrote: »

Earls and Fitzgerald have both put their hand up. I'd be happy with either to displace Payne.

I'd prefer if they displaced zebo IMO.

ScissorPaperRock · 21-02-2015 07:59PM

I'm absolutely happy to see Payne and Henshaw continue to develop, to be honest. He is a classy player and, while he's probably a more dangerous runner from 15, he's done nothing to suggest he's not up to 13 at international level thus far - after three games.

That said, Earls had a great game against the Scarlets. Showed how much he really has improved his distribution. Both he and Fitz should be ahead of Jones on the bench. I'd probably have Earls ahead of Zebo on the wing, to be honest, but Zebo really has been very solid.

I think next weekend will be a good measure of where the team is at, and I'd be happy to see a relatively unchanged team.

Mahatma Geansai · 21-02-2015 08:16PM

Zebo is more suited to Joe's gameplan than Earls or Fitzgerald. He's a better kicker and fielder than either of them. I'd bring Earls straight in at 13, and have Fitzgerald on the bench.

Earls and Fitzgerald are the most talented outside backs we've produced since BOD, and it pains me to them cast aside for a New Zealander who couldn't get a cap for his own country.

Swiwi. · 21-02-2015 08:24PM

Apples & pears people. Payne & Henshaw being judged on the 6N, Earls & Fitzgerald on the Pro 12 - minus players on international duty. I'd say it would be pretty hard to force oneself into the 6N team based on displays in the Pro 12, just don't think Schmidt will take so much notice. Stand to be proved wrong though.

total former · 21-02-2015 08:34PM

Swiwi. wrote: »

Apples & pears people. Payne & Henshaw being judged on the 6N, Earls & Fitzgerald on the Pro 12 - minus players on international duty. I'd say it would be pretty hard to force oneself into the 6N team based on displays in the Pro 12, just don't think Schmidt will take so much notice. Stand to be proved wrong though.

Absolutely, but Earls and Fitzgerald are already proven internationals, far more than Payne or Henshaw, so it's not like clamouring for Jack Conan to replace Heaslip or Rob Herring to replace Best.

But you're right, I think as long as the current XV keep executing the game plan, it will be very hard for anyone to force their way in. Joe said as much last season in respect of Zebo, basically that while he was playing well against Zebre, Kearney and Trimble were playing well against England in Twickenham, nuff said.

Edit; Here's what Joe said:
"They are freshed up and ready to go but there are players playing well for their provinces and they deserve a go but it's very hard to counterbalance what a player might do against Zebre one week or Ospreys or Dragons as compared to a player who played well at Twickenham against England.
They are realms apart and it is very hard to make comparisons."

Swiwi. · 21-02-2015 08:41PM

total former wrote: »

Absolutely, but Earls and Fitzgerald are already proven internationals, far more than Payne or Henshaw, so it's not like clamouring for Jack Conan to replace Heaslip or Rob Herring to replace Best.

But you're right, I think as long as the current XV keep executing the game plan, it will be very hard for anyone to force their way in. Joe said as much last season in respect of Zebo, basically that while he was playing well against Zebre, Kearney and Trimble were playing well against England in Twickenham, nuff said.

TBH, I think standing out in the Pro 12 (given it's essentially stripped of the cream of its best players at the moment) is the minimum requirement to stay in the Irish selection frame, but not a reason to drop players from the Irish 23 who have largely performed in the 2 games so far.

molloyjh · 21-02-2015 08:56PM

Swiwi. wrote: »

TBH, I think standing out in the Pro 12 (given it's essentially stripped of the cream of its best players at the moment) is the minimum requirement to stay in the Irish selection frame, but not a reason to drop players from the Irish 23 who have largely performed in the 2 games so far.

I wouldn't expect a change to the starting XV, but I am hoping for a change in the 23 shirt. Jones has been in good form but doesn't offer what we need there. He's a full-back and a full-back only. Plus his impact off the bench against top sides is limited. Earls and Fitz both bring a lot more to the table. I reckon Fitz will get the nod based on the fact that he was selected on the wing for the WHs and has now managed to get some time there for Leinster. That proven versatility probably gives him the edge over Earls. Well that and the fact he's been back longer and played against better opposition in the Champions Cup.

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

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