Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

irishbucsfan · 21-08-2015 09:43AM

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.

flangemeistro · 21-08-2015 10:52AM

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.

Clearlier · 21-08-2015 10:58AM

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.

dub_skav · 21-08-2015 11:12AM

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.

.ak · 21-08-2015 11:13AM

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.

21-08-2015 11:54AM

.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:

dub_skav · 21-08-2015 11:58AM

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

.ak · 21-08-2015 11:58AM

I loved watching that game with the ARC commentary.

21-08-2015 11:59AM

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.

Yeah_Right · 21-08-2015 12:07PM

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.

molloyjh · 21-08-2015 12:07PM

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!

.ak · 21-08-2015 12:08PM

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.

awec · 21-08-2015 12:11PM

.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 · 21-08-2015 12:12PM

awec wrote: »

Pfft, the really good ones are eye catching.

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

Yeah but that's Fez for you.

dub_skav · 21-08-2015 12:13PM

.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.

Hooper?

awec · 21-08-2015 12:14PM

dub_skav wrote: »

Hooper?

He's a 7, no?

connachta · 21-08-2015 12:15PM

18271-good-news-everyone-i-was-just-kidding-professor-farnsworth-wallpaper-1280x1280-1-750x410.jpg

Schmidt and Les Kiss will be in attendance at Thomond Park to run their eyes over Ireland hopefuls Marmion, 23, and Nathan White, and the Connacht scrum-half is keen to make an impression.

The Connacht man has had to be satisfied with 12 minutes against Wales in Ireland’s opening World Cup warm-up match, but he thinks the Connacht game-time he has picked up against Castres last weekend, and again tonight, could prove crucial.

21-08-2015 12:17PM

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

That's a great question. We've an awful lot of quality players that could do something exceptional so it's hard to know.

Put it this way, if Mike Ross scrums like he did in the 6N and were we to make a final with a reallysolid set piece, you could see the guy getting all sorts of accolades!

That said, I think if we make a semi or a final I think the following are most likely to turn heads:

Cian Healy (if fit): He will at least be cardio fit, but I can't imagine his upper body is as strong given the type of injury. That said, if he is fit and good to go, he has the potential to have two or three big games during the tournament. Becoming more "if" as the weeks go on however but gives us so much more potential if available.

POC : produces moments just when we need them, combine that with leading the Irish team and that it is his international swansong and his could be the story of the tournament.

SOB : If he hits the level he reached against NZ in 2013 and maintains that he could well be the most impactful forward in our squad. He seems in good shape and if he stays fit for the entire tournament he should be in absolute beast mode shape by the semi finals / final and we could witness him at his best.

Heaslip : I think Heaslip has quietly entered world class over the last season and I think he is as good as anyone in the NH right now. As others have said, all those little highlight reels over the coming weeks might even convince Conor George.

Murray : His decision making is faultless, but over the last two seasons his kicking, passing, running and game management have all reached world class levels and having all that at his disposal makes him a huge weapon for us, and unpredictable for the opposition.

Sexton : You could say a lot here, but if we do win this thing you can't help but feel Sexton is going to need to be the player of the tournament for us to do it. Thankfully, he is capable of that.

Henshaw : He isn't there yet, but the 6N showed that he will work himself to complete exhaustion in every game and by the 4th or 5th week in the tournament his natural athleticism could allow for immense performances against more physical but more jaded opposition. So much potential and quality there for Joe to work with.

R Kearney : According to this forum there are around 8 players that should be ahead of him, but like Heaslip I think the tournament could provide a lot of material to show how important the guy is to our WC chances. If we stick with variations of our current play style then Kearney should be set for a big tournament.

Joe Schmidt : We don't have the best 1 - 15 in the RWC, so if we do make a final you have to think that lord Joe is going to be singled out. And he deserves it too.

If all of the above stay fit, healthy and hungry we have a chance of making history. Any single one that we lose dramatically impacts our chances. IF we hang onto em all though - could be some high flying tricolours come end of October.

dub_skav · 21-08-2015 12:19PM

awec wrote: »

He's a 7, no?

That was the reason for the smilie, Pocock is amazing on the deck and has to play, but, Hooper is brilliant:

Well Mr Cheika, what do you do?

.ak · 21-08-2015 12:19PM

dub_skav wrote: »

Hooper?

awec wrote: »

He's a 7, no?

Yep, 7 all day.

dub_skav · 21-08-2015 12:21PM

.ak wrote: »

Yep, 7 all day.

So where does Pocock go?
I know Cheika did play him 8 with Hooper, so maybe there, what's your opinion?

.ak · 21-08-2015 12:23PM

One thing about that tackle in that gif is it's actually a poor tackle, head on wrong side, tut tut....

Yeah_Right · 21-08-2015 12:24PM

dub_skav wrote: »

So where does Pocock go?
I know Cheika did play him 8 with Hooper, so maybe there, what's your opinion?

I think one of them has to be on the bench. Not a big fan of playing 2 open sides. It's ok late in a game when subs are on but I don't like it to start a match.

.ak · 21-08-2015 12:24PM

dub_skav wrote: »

So where does Pocock go?
I know Cheika did play him 8 with Hooper, so maybe there, what's your opinion?

Ah there's no problem with having two opensides on the team sheet. Look at Wales etc. The key though is you need a strongarm or a couple of mobile locks to do the dirty work. As with all team selections, combinations are key and balance is vital.

We all joke about a team of Sean O'Briens... but we'd be hammered if that was the case!

dub_skav · 21-08-2015 12:26PM

.ak wrote: »

One thing about that tackle in that gif is it's actually a poor tackle, head on wrong side, tut tut....

I don't think it would have worked with his head on the "right" side. He used the leverage of the entire right side of his body to bump Savea into touch.
Go with the correct tackle position and I think Savea would have shrugged him off.
I was watching it and sure it would be a try, or at the very best Hooper just getting him out at the corner flag, I was certainly not expecting that

dub_skav · 21-08-2015 12:29PM

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I think one of them has to be on the bench. Not a big fan of playing 2 open sides. It's ok late in a game when subs are on but I don't like it to start a match.

The Aussies have form for it.

21-08-2015 12:29PM

.ak wrote: »

One thing about that tackle in that gif is it's actually a poor tackle, head on wrong side, tut tut....

Yeah but that was intentional, he wanted his front facing shoulder so he could force him into touch, if he had switched shoulders to tackle he would have brought him down for a recycle in the right part of the pitch for NZ.

Let's just call it a barge with wrapped'ish arms...!

Clearlier · 21-08-2015 12:35PM

Yeah_Right wrote: »

I think one of them has to be on the bench. Not a big fan of playing 2 open sides. It's ok late in a game when subs are on but I don't like it to start a match.

I think that it depends on the players involved and of course the no.8. If you play two similar style opensides who between them don't offer the right mix of carrying, supporting, clearing out, lineouts, poaching etc. then I agree that you'll be in trouble. If on the other hand you can get the balance across the backrow right I'm not sure that it matters enormously where they pack down for scrums. Heaslip's adaptability has been great for Ireland in this respect particularly when SOB first moved to openside. Back and Hill for England is an example of a pair of opensides that did very well at international level over a sustained period of time.

The Rape of Lucretia · 21-08-2015 01:06PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

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.

Superb is stretching it. He had a good debut for an inexperienced player thrown in with new partners on both sides. The game he was asked to play was limited (and correctly so - a very well managed intro to international rugby by Joe). Aside from his acrobatic touchdown, which was good, but not out of this world, I doubt he would have made much impression on non Irish viewers.

He has potential for sure. Might well develop into a super player - hopefully that does come in the world cup. But on the evidence so far he is an OK player with potential.

Awesomeness · 21-08-2015 01:09PM

I have a ticket for the ireland v canada game i wont be able to use if anyone is interested

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

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