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Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

RoundBox11

Pairing Luke Marshall with Cave in the centre and Payne at fullback could be really good for the wolfhounds backline. They should know each other inside out. Then Gilroy could be on one wing.

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awec

.ak wrote: »

Blindside tends to be a bit of thankless position, it's not very eye catching, a lot of the work you do is in defence and body shifting, so I think a lot of the superstars in that position fly under the radar... but you're right, I can't think of many that will draw the eye of the pundits.

Pfft, the really good ones are eye catching.

Stephen Ferris caught the eye in pretty much every game he played.

.ak

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I think POM has a better chance to make a RWC XV than Henshaw or SOB. That's not a slight on those 2 players. I simply believe the quality of players from other countries at 7 and 12 is higher than at 6.

Blindside tends to be a bit of thankless position, it's not very eye catching, a lot of the work you do is in defence and body shifting, so I think a lot of the superstars in that position fly under the radar... but you're right, I can't think of many that will draw the eye of the pundits.

molloyjh

Deleted User wrote: »

In the context of it being around 10:00 in the morning and everyone on coffee and breakfast, the fact that the entire place went nuts with no alcohol at all speaks volumes.

You should have seen the reaction in the Woolshed where the pints were flowing!

Yeah_Right

Clearlier wrote: »

Who's their competition? I wouldn't have either as world beaters although Henshaw looks to have the potential but is more likely to peak at the next RWC. I think that SOB is underrated as an openside and if manages to get through the tournament without getting injured and Ireland get to the semi's or better his 'ranking' will be re-evaluated.

I think POM has a better chance to make a RWC XV than Henshaw or SOB. That's not a slight on those 2 players. I simply believe the quality of players from other countries at 7 and 12 is higher than at 6.

[Deleted User]

Deleted User wrote: »

Was thinking that as I read your post and couldn't agree more. To my mind he produced the moment of the 2011 tournament when he lifted Genia and walked him back. Was just such an amazing sporting moment and I remember everyone completely losing it in the pub I was in.

In the context of it being around 10:00 in the morning and everyone on coffee and breakfast, the fact that the entire place went nuts with no alcohol at all speaks volumes.

Still love this video someone put together of it:

Tom Court @ 1:25 is the happiest baby I've ever seen.

.ak

I loved watching that game with the ARC commentary.

dub_skav

Deleted User wrote: »

Was thinking that as I read your post and couldn't agree more. To my mind he produced the moment of the 2011 tournament when he lifted Genia and walked him back. Was just such an amazing sporting moment and I remember everyone completely losing it in the pub I was in.

In the context of it being around 10:00 in the morning and everyone on coffee and breakfast, the fact that the entire place went nuts with no alcohol at all speaks volumes.

Still love this video someone put together of it:

Shame that glandular fever outbreak meant we had to leave the world cup straight after the final whistle in that match

[Deleted User]

.ak wrote: »

There's always so many quality flankers in the tournament that it wouldn't be surprising if POM or SOB fall short of that accolade.

However, SOB turned heads last time around, I'd love to see a repeat performance from our backrow...

I just realized how much I miss Fez.

Was thinking that as I read your post and couldn't agree more. To my mind he produced the moment of the 2011 tournament when he lifted Genia and walked him back. Was just such an amazing sporting moment and I remember everyone completely losing it in the pub I was in.

In the context of it being around 10:00 in the morning and everyone on coffee and breakfast, the fact that the entire place went nuts with no alcohol at all speaks volumes.

Still love this video someone put together of it:

.ak

There's always so many quality flankers in the tournament that it wouldn't be surprising if POM or SOB fall short of that accolade.

However, SOB turned heads last time around, I'd love to see a repeat performance from our backrow...

I just realized how much I miss Fez.

dub_skav

I think Heaslip will have his usual fine performances, but so many in such a short period of time will force people to take notice.

Funnily enough I also think our starting left winger has the potential to be one of the players of the tournament. We don't know who it will be yet, but if it's Zebo I see people being excited by some moments of individual class and if it's Fitz he will show his stability and consistency in the tackle / ruck area and some great lines for mazy runs with those dancing feet.
So, potentially team of the tournament or watching on TV for those two.

Clearlier

flangemeistro wrote: »

I reckon Peter O'Mahony and Robbie Henshaw will make the World Cup XV after the tournament.

Who's their competition? I wouldn't have either as world beaters although Henshaw looks to have the potential but is more likely to peak at the next RWC. I think that SOB is underrated as an openside and if manages to get through the tournament without getting injured and Ireland get to the semi's or better his 'ranking' will be re-evaluated.

flangemeistro

Awesomeness wrote: »

Bit of a change in discussion. Instead of talking about who our 3rd choice sh will be and prob wont see much game time what about the players that will. Who do we think will be out stand out player,

I feel after Johnny injuries and time in france this could be his time to really show that he is one of the top 2 outhalves in world rugby

I reckon Peter O'Mahony and Robbie Henshaw will make the World Cup XV after the tournament.

irishbucsfan

There's a few players I reckon could stand out. Robbie Henshaw was superb in the 6 Nations and for all we know there could be more to come from him. He could well be our standout player.

Murray and Sexton are both world class players as far as I'm concerned but they'll be asked to play quite a structured game so it wouldn't surprise me if they don't do anything massively sexy, they're still going to be utterly crucial to any success we have.

Rob Kearney has a habit of having excellent runs of form and if we go back to a kicking game he could be dominant in our group games and really stand out. If we go back to the territorial game we saw in the 6 Nations it could suit him down to the ground.

Of course there's POC. This is the last stand of one of the best we've ever had and I wouldn't be even remotely surprised if he drags us through games against world class opposition by sheer force of will.

Yeah_Right

Clearlier wrote: »

Why not the top outhalf? Now that Carter's form has dropped who is there left that he couldn't be better than?

Over the last year or so, I would have rated Sexton as the number 1 OH in the world. However after Carter's performance last weekend there is debate again.

Clearlier

Awesomeness wrote: »

Bit of a change in discussion. Instead of talking about who our 3rd choice sh will be and prob wont see much game time what about the players that will. Who do we think will be out stand out player,

I feel after Johnny injuries and time in france this could be his time to really show that he is one of the top 2 outhalves in world rugby

Why not the top outhalf? Now that Carter's form has dropped who is there left that he couldn't be better than?

Yeah_Right

dub_skav wrote: »

Not that I believe it would be a good idea, but Giteau has played scrum half before.
Very much like the suggestion for Madigan to cover, but with a little experience at least.

Edit: Just looked at the squad, Cheika's not afraid of a few surprises and the selections show not to read too much into warm up matches.
Only 2 hookers is a bigger risk if you ask me.

I think Phipps played his way off the plane in Sydney. He was so bad I thought he had money on the All Blacks. In Auckland Giteau was the back up half back. I guess it was too late to bring anyone else in and to be honest, I can't think of another Aussie hb worth the call up.

It's a very different situation to Ireland so I don't see Joe following that example.

Only 2 hookers! Madness.

Apologies, just saw the squad. Phipps is in ahead of White. I had just assumed it was the other way round.

.ak

Awesomeness wrote: »

Bit of a change in discussion. Instead of talking about who our 3rd choice sh will be and prob wont see much game time what about the players that will. Who do we think will be out stand out player,

I feel after Johnny injuries and time in france this could be his time to really show that he is one of the top 2 outhalves in world rugby

Yeah there was an interview done with him the other day, his head seems to be in a good place and he reckons he's had the first proper pre-season in 2 years and his body is in peak condition.

I do think he'll still manage to surprise some people. I think a lot of people outside of Europe haven't seen his best; they wouldn't have followed him for Leinster and to be honest he's never really reached his best for Ireland mostly because of the Kidney setup didn't suit him and because there's a big element of Joe's team still finding their feet. He's had flashes, but he hasn't really had the opportunity to show what he's capable of.

With a full 6n under his belt inside of the same two centres and now a proper pre-season I'm hoping he's able to click with those around him a bit more. Yes, he's kicking game is outstanding right now, but he has a wonderful strength in his ability to read his outside backs so well. Once he's on the same level with them I think we'll see him step up another gear.

Awesomeness

Bit of a change in discussion. Instead of talking about who our 3rd choice sh will be and prob wont see much game time what about the players that will. Who do we think will be out stand out player,

I feel after Johnny injuries and time in france this could be his time to really show that he is one of the top 2 outhalves in world rugby

molloyjh

total former wrote: »

And Clint Newland played prop a few times. That doesn't mean Joe loves sh*t players.

He picks the best guy for the job, if that's a big strapping 12 or a fancy-dan footballing type, then that's who he picks.

If you look at who in the Academy he tried to develop though you can see a clear enough pattern of looking for big 12s. His options in that regard were very limited and so he had to look at other options, but he invested a good deal of time behind the scenes on guys like Sheridan and Coughlan. Joe can work with whatever is available but I think he does prefer bigger centres.

.ak

total former wrote: »

And Clint Newland played prop a few times. That doesn't mean Joe loves sh*t players.

He picks the best guy for the job, if that's a big strapping 12 or a fancy-dan footballing type, then that's who he picks.

I don't disagree, but I think he has a preference for big 1st centres. There may be a few exceptions to that but I think his first preference will always be for the bigger guy. He's obviously not going to pick the bigger guy if he isn't good enough though.

If Henshaw picks up an for example I reckon Payne will shift over and Earls will come in at 13.

Infact, Henshaw is a great example... He's had loads of experience at 13/15 but Joe moves him to 12...

total former

.ak wrote: »

Goodman was most definitely used as a battering-ram big 12.

And Clint Newland played prop a few times. That doesn't mean Joe loves sh*t players.

He picks the best guy for the job, if that's a big strapping 12 or a fancy-dan footballing type, then that's who he picks.

[Deleted User]

Interested Observer wrote: »

There's not much evidence of this. Gordon D'Arcy has started more games at 12 under Schmidt than anyone, are you saying he's a power runner? Schmidt also played Madigan at 12 a couple of times outside Sexton for Leinster.

D'arcy is better in traffic the last couple of years, he hasn't the step and pace he had, but he is excellent at pumping his legs in the tackle and getting an extra few yards. Usually recycles well also so whilst he doesn't have the stats to back it up, he certainly used the playstyle.

You also don't split up a pairing of the experience of BOD / Darcy until you have to, and I think BOD's final season we were just about at that point.

.ak

bilston wrote: »

Can someone educate me on Madigan's ability to play scrum half please? Has he ever dpne it before?

He's done it a couple of times at the end of games, think he did it for Ireland under Kidney as well. I think we're talking minutes worth of experience, not games, in total.

Like, he has all the skillsets; nippy accurate pass, can pass off both hands, quick, agile, has a brilliant break and a low centre of gravity.

If he was born in France he'd be a 9.5 without doubt.

But he wasn't. So therefore he has no real experience at 9, nor has he trained at 9, and the position requires smarts and understanding more so than skill.

irishbucsfan

bilston wrote: »

Can someone educate me on Madigan's ability to play scrum half please? Has he ever dpne it before?

Madigan has about the equivalent experience at scrum half as Denis Leamy had at 12.

bilston

Can someone educate me on Madigan's ability to play scrum half please? Has he ever dpne it before?

Hype710

Have Argentina only selected two scrum halves too?

.ak

Goodman was most definitely used as a battering-ram big 12.

Buer

total former wrote: »

Not sure. Goodman was big enough but not a power centre by any means. Sheridan got close to zero game time even when fit.

Most recently, he picked Noel Reid for the RWC squad when he had Marshal and McCloskey available to him.

I think he picks Henshaw because he's the best player available and not because he fits some template of what Joe wants.

Goodman was an outhalf as well as a centre but was used to crash it up a fair few times. I recall the Clermont game at home (the one we lost) where he went on crash ball repeatedly and did well at it too.

Regarding Henshaw, he's the one I'd see as the strongest evidence. He's the best we have there but he's also someone that never played 12 before but Schmidt selected him there. It raised a lot of eyebrows at the time.

Fair call on Reid.

flangemeistro

.ak wrote: »

I will.

I don't care if Giteau has scrumhalf experience, Genia has just had knee surgery and despite White being so hot and cold he'll still provide a better service than Giteau.

Did he take an extra forward for White or an extra back?

Only two specialist hookers as well, in Stephen Moore and Tatafu Polota-Nau.
17 forwards and 14 backs, but included five props.

Buer

.ak wrote: »

I will. I don't care if Giteau has scrumhalf experience, Genia has just had knee surgery and despite White being so hot and cold he'll still provide a better service than Giteau.

Giteau doesn't just have experience there, though. He has a number of test starts in the position and did reasonably well there even if it was quite some time ago.

I don't think there's too much problem with him being there as 3rd choice to allow greater flexibility. If someone does cop an injury, White can be called up.

If we had someone with his experience at 9, I'd readily select them ahead of Marmion or Boss.