Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

Yeah_Right · 21-08-2015 01:43PM

Clearlier wrote: »

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.

You're right that it depends on the players involved. Not just the 2 open sides but also the other loose forward and also the locks. For example I think Ireland would be ok with both Henry and SOB on the pitch at the same time. Same with NZ with McCaw and Cane. This is due to the quality of the other players in the pack. I don't think Aussie have the players in their pack to make 2 opensides work against the top teams.

Also, I didn't realise Hill was an openside.

Clearlier · 21-08-2015 02:22PM

Yeah_Right wrote: »

Also, I didn't realise Hill was an openside.

Yeah, a lot of people didn't and don't realise that which is a testament to how well he adapted. IIRC he played all of his club rugby at openside as well as beginning and ending his England career at openside. I know that his reputation has only gotten better with age but I still think that his contribution to that England team is underrated. He was also a far superior openside to Back who may have been pound for pound an outstanding player but who had nowhere near the impact on games that Hill had.

Zzippy · 21-08-2015 02:24PM

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

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.

There's just no pleasing some people! :P

irishbucsfan · 21-08-2015 02:27PM

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

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.

He stood out in our back line, not for a debutant but for any player. His tackle count was repeatedly leading the team. He was a huge part of our success.

flangemeistro · 21-08-2015 02:48PM

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

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.

Ya he made absolutely no impression outside of Ireland!

:Made the 15 man Shortlist for player of the tournament
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/international/three-irish-make-shortlist-for-six-nations-player-of-tournament-1.2150161

:Made the Wales online team of the tournament http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/six-nations-team-tournament-meet-8896116

:Made the Sunday Times team of the tournament http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/rugby_union/Internationals/article1534836.ece

And they are just two of many teams of the tournament that he was named on.

Witheringeye · 21-08-2015 02:49PM

I thought henshaw was very very impressive but I thinks he gets a little bit more credit than he deserves and Payne a bit less so for obvious reasons

Either way I think they could be lethal come October. They've been improving steadily as a partnership with Payne seeming to get better every single game.

Whether they could make a World Cup xv all depends on how other teams go but I reckon henshaw would have a better chance

.ak · 21-08-2015 02:51PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He stood out in our back line, not for a debutant but for any player. His tackle count was repeatedly leading the team. He was a huge part of our success.

His performance against England, try aside, is still one of the best performances I've seen from an Irish back in years. He fought for everything, despite being completely injured.

total former · 21-08-2015 03:17PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

He stood out in our back line, not for a debutant but for any player. His tackle count was repeatedly leading the team. He was a huge part of our success.

He was a huge part of our success. His work rate was massive, his tackle count and carry rate were very high.

That said, and this goes for nearly all our backs, he showed very little in attack; line breaks and beaten defenders were non-existent.

He was perfect for the game plan we employed but he will have to show more in attack if he's going to be a star of the RWC.

jacothelad · 21-08-2015 03:25PM

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.

Yeah! Right!....:D

English Lurker · 21-08-2015 03:45PM

I thought Henshaw was very good in the 6N and know I'm far from alone in thinking that outside Ireland; he may not have broken the line much, but he constantly bent it, was ferocious in defence, and produced a number of clever moments of skill. I think he could be a contender for a team of the tournament, but would probably put money on a flashier 12 such as de Allende to make the cut ahead of him.

POC, Healy, Sexton and Murray would be my standout candidates; SOB would be if he wasn't in a very crowded field, although I wouldn't be surprised to see him named at 6 in such a team even if playing at 7. If Best finds top form, I think he's as talented as any hooker there.

And if fortune hands Henderson a row of starts I think he could be well in the running.

Clearlier wrote: »

Yeah, a lot of people didn't and don't realise that which is a testament to how well he adapted. IIRC he played all of his club rugby at openside as well as beginning and ending his England career at openside. I know that his reputation has only gotten better with age but I still think that his contribution to that England team is underrated. He was also a far superior openside to Back who may have been pound for pound an outstanding player but who had nowhere near the impact on games that Hill had.

I can never endorse admiration for HRHRH enough.

Witheringeye · 21-08-2015 04:09PM

I reckon if Ireland go far then SOB could very easily make the WCXV. I know the competition is fierce but I do think he is underrated in comparison.
How many 7s are there that are that good at poaching and clear outs as well possessing that sort of ball carrying ability?

Awesomeness · 21-08-2015 04:29PM

I know i asked the question but at the end of the day if no irish person was involved i wouldnt care. As long as we perform as a team

On that for me joe is a hero. Always will be, But will people turn on hin if we dont make a semi

Quint2010 · 21-08-2015 06:10PM

Witheringeye wrote: »

I reckon if Ireland go far then SOB could very easily make the WCXV. I know the competition is fierce but I do think he is underrated in comparison.
How many 7s are there that are that good at poaching and clear outs as well possessing that sort of ball carrying ability?

Don't think he would ever get past McCaw simply because McCaw is an integral cog and captain of the best team.

Witheringeye · 21-08-2015 06:12PM

Awesomeness wrote: »

I know i asked the question but at the end of the day if no irish person was involved i wouldnt care. As long as we perform as a team

On that for me joe is a hero. Always will be, But will people turn on hin if we dont make a semi[/quote

I think that's more likely, and a good sign. We're probably gonna see a team of 15 lads putting in around a 7/10 performance across the board rather than a couple of individuals carrying the team

bilston · 21-08-2015 06:13PM

Witheringeye wrote: »

I reckon if Ireland go far then SOB could very easily make the WCXV. I know the competition is fierce but I do think he is underrated in comparison.
How many 7s are there that are that good at poaching and clear outs as well possessing that sort of ball carrying ability?

Totally agree.

SOB and Sexton are our two best players. They both need to be at the top of their game. Perform and they'll both be there or thereabouts in a World XV.

21-08-2015 06:20PM

bilston wrote: »

Totally agree.

Marmion and Felix Jones are our two best players. They both need to be at the top of their game. Perform and they'll both be there or thereabouts in a World XV.

Fixed your Post

Wang King · 21-08-2015 07:15PM

All hail our new overlord Felix !!

torqtorq · 21-08-2015 07:30PM

Ulster twitter is doing live updates!

connachta · 21-08-2015 08:08PM

TRYYYY for Marmion against Munster!!!!!

connachta · 21-08-2015 08:14PM

And 2nd one! Kieran straight to RWC!!!:D:D:D

The Rape of Lucretia · 21-08-2015 08:23PM

A hat trick !!!!

Are you watching Mr Schmidt ?

The Rape of Lucretia · 21-08-2015 08:30PM

Wow. Marmion really made that try. Super stuff.

Connacht totally in control of this here.

molloyjh · 21-08-2015 11:19PM

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

A hat trick !!!!

Are you watching Mr Schmidt ?

No, he was in Belfast. :P

Buer · 21-08-2015 11:45PM

molloyjh wrote: »

No, he was in Belfast. :P

Given the respective players on display, that makes me think that Darren Cave is still in the mix for the squad. No other player on show tonight in Belfast is in with a sniff of the squad.

I'm surprised that Schmidt, Kiss and Murphy were all at the game. Surely someone was at the other one to watch Marmion and White? Easterby?

thomond2006 · 21-08-2015 11:47PM

Easterby was in Limerick.

The Rape of Lucretia · 21-08-2015 11:55PM

molloyjh wrote: »

No, he was in Belfast. :P

Bad luck on Marmion then. 5 tries, makes two more, 23 tackles, totally bosses the game, and a goal kicking percentage better than Jackson's. What has the guy got to do to cement that first call up reserve spot ?

molloyjh · 22-08-2015 12:03AM

Buer wrote: »

Given the respective players on display, that makes me think that Darren Cave is still in the mix for the squad. No other player on show tonight in Belfast is in with a sniff of the squad.

I'm surprised that Schmidt, Kiss and Murphy were all at the game. Surely someone was at the other one to watch Marmion and White? Easterby?

Yeah I was thinking that myself. It's the only reasonable explanation for the lot of them being up there really.

Buer · 22-08-2015 12:10AM

The Rape of Lucretia wrote: »

Bad luck on Marmion then. 5 tries, makes two more, 23 tackles, totally bosses the game, and a goal kicking percentage better than Jackson's. What has the guy got to do to cement that first call up reserve spot ?

Can he grow dreadlocks?

lukey967 · 22-08-2015 12:13AM

What are people's opinions on D'Arcy?Will/Won't he be in the 31 man squad?
Do you bring him for his experience?
Would Cave (or someone who wasn't included in the original training squad) a better option?

Personally I think D'Arcy is a luxury Ireland can't afford as Cave, IMO, at this time is Offering more. I know he's been a great servant to Rugby in Ireland but does that justify bringing him??

Interested to hear other people's views..

The Rape of Lucretia · 22-08-2015 12:21AM

Buer wrote: »

Can he grow dreadlocks?

Its a work-on at the moment.

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

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