Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

total former · 29-08-2015 02:14PM

Podge_irl wrote: »

Yes they can. Only the 31 can train together once in England.

Wasn't there controversy four years ago when NZ had a load of guys training with them? And, it being NZ, nothing was done about it.

aimee1 · 29-08-2015 02:15PM

total former wrote: »

Wasn't there controversy four years ago when NZ had a load of guys training with them? And, it being NZ, nothing was done about it.

so all our players should change their surname by deed poll to mccaw and the irfu change the kit to all black and we win the world cup, easy

Buer · 29-08-2015 04:54PM

So, after all the fuss, this is my prediction for the 31 that Schmidt will select (assuming no injuries today are serious):

Healy, McGrath, Bent, Moore, Ross, Strauss, Best, Cronin, POC, Toner, Henderson, Ryan, Murphy, Heaslip, POM, Henry, SOB.

Murray, Boss, Reddan, Sexton, Jackson, Madigan, Henshaw, Payne, Fitz, Earls, Trimble, Bowe, DK, RK.

I think Zebo is going to miss the boat which is harsh on him.

shuffol · 29-08-2015 04:59PM

Think the same except Zebo for Fitz. Think Schmidt will see him as offering better cover with FB in mind with Earls favoured as backup 13.

irishbucsfan · 29-08-2015 05:07PM

shuffol wrote: »

Think the same except Zebo for Fitz. Think Schmidt will see him as offering better cover with FB in mind with Earls favoured as backup 13.

I agree with you. I think there's another question mark about Fitz after today and for me that will only help Zebo.

I can't see Zebo being left behind really.

Buer · 29-08-2015 05:08PM

shuffol wrote: »

Think the same except Zebo for Fitz. Think Schmidt will see him as offering better cover with FB in mind with Earls favoured as backup 13.

If I had to make one change, it'd be SZ coming in for either Earls or Fitz. Not sure which. Earls did not have a good showing today aside from a 15 minute spell where he was really good in defence. His first half was really sloppy.

Fitz did a solid job at 13 too which makes you wonder, where do they need the cover? I think if either Fitz or Earls are out even for only a couple of weeks, they're staying at home.

I think DK has put himself right in the mix for the plane and even for the 23 after today. He was just really accomplished around the park.

Buer · 29-08-2015 05:12PM

irishbucsfan wrote: »

I can't see Zebo being left behind really.

Originally, I couldn't. But past selections coupled with Schmidt's comments after the last game around Zebo still having to get some things right makes me wonder.

I suppose they'll have to bring cover for 15, though, and there's no evidence that they view DK or similar as that man.

irishbucsfan · 29-08-2015 05:15PM

Buer wrote: »

Originally, I couldn't. But past selections coupled with Schmidt's comments after the last game around Zebo still having to get some things right makes me wonder.

I suppose they'll have to bring cover for 15, though, and there's no evidence that they view DK or similar as that man.

Maybe, but if they are questioning Fitzgerald's durability I think it could sway the decision.

.ak · 29-08-2015 05:15PM

Buer wrote: »

If I had to make one change, it'd be SZ coming in for either Earls or Fitz. Not sure which. Earls did not have a good showing today aside from a 15 minute spell where he was really good in defence. His first half was really sloppy.

Fitz did a solid job at 13 too which makes you wonder, where do they need the cover? I think if either Fitz or Earls are out even for only a couple of weeks, they're staying at home.

I think DK has put himself right in the mix for the plane and even for the 23 after today. He was just really accomplished around the park.

That's how I see it. Hopefully earls and fitz are fit... But the two of them don't have luck on their side.

Buer · 29-08-2015 05:17PM

On reflection, I suppose Fitz and Earls are be in a direct shoot out. They both got starts at 11 and 13 in the warm ups. I wonder if Schmidt would be secretly hoping on one of them being ruled out for a couple of weeks?

Redsock · 29-08-2015 05:18PM

Poor from Ireland today but no need to panic. That said, if we try and kick our way to a semi-final we won't.

shuffol · 29-08-2015 05:23PM

I can see Trimble, Bowe on the wings with DK in the 23. They seem to tick the most boxes for what Schmidt wants at this level, interesting as at provincial DK wouldn't hold a candle to Earls but Schmidt will have a plan and it will be all about who can execute it best.

Did POM take a knock at all? I'd be curious to see if he's rested and Henderson gets a run at 6 next week. Though Henry could be looked at for 6 either.

salmocab · 29-08-2015 05:24PM

Neither Fitz or Earls were doing themselves too much of a favor today before their injuries, not much ball came either of their ways to be fair but Dave Kearney got very little and seemed to pop up a lot. Thought the scrum looked solid and White was very good there.

Ceadog · 29-08-2015 05:31PM

Think Earls answered a lot of questions about his defence today. Put in some great hits on Cuthbert and North.

CatFromHue · 29-08-2015 05:32PM

Buer wrote: »

On reflection, I suppose Fitz and Earls are be in a direct shoot out. They both got starts at 11 and 13 in the warm ups.

That's what Schmidt said in the press conference on Thursday.

shuffol · 29-08-2015 05:35PM

Buer wrote: »

On reflection, I suppose Fitz and Earls are be in a direct shoot out. They both got starts at 11 and 13 in the warm ups. I wonder if Schmidt would be secretly hoping on one of them being ruled out for a couple of weeks?

That was the first thing that sprang to mind when I saw the teamsheet. I guess you'd have to put the 2 of them into the category of perma-crocked players and perhaps it will be seen as 2 big of a risk to bring both of them. Both going off today won't have helped allay those fears.

aimee1 · 29-08-2015 05:38PM

shuffol wrote: »

That was the first thing that sprang to mind when I saw the teamsheet. I guess you'd have to put the 2 of them into the category of perma-crocked players and perhaps it will be seen as 2 big of a risk to bring both of them. Both going off today won't have helped allay those fears.

so maybe it will be

Murray, Reddan, Boss
Sexton, Jackson, Madigan
R Kearney, Bowe, Henshaw, Payne, D Kearney, Trimble, Zebo and 1 of Jones, Earls, Fitz

Henwin · 29-08-2015 06:13PM

ya tat looks like it, but its a bit unfair on earls and fitz are left at home but boss and jackson who i think are really poor get to travel, is there any argument to be made to travel with only 2 scrum halfs or 2 out halfs and bring earls and fitz?

awec · 29-08-2015 06:16PM

Henwin wrote: »

ya tat looks like it, but its a bit unfair on earls and fitz are left at home but boss and jackson who i think are really poor get to travel, is there any argument to be made to travel with only 2 scrum halfs or 2 out halfs and bring earls and fitz?

No way.

The Lost Sheep · 29-08-2015 06:26PM

Henwin wrote: »

ya tat looks like it, but its a bit unfair on earls and fitz are left at home but boss and jackson who i think are really poor get to travel, is there any argument to be made to travel with only 2 scrum halfs or 2 out halfs and bring earls and fitz?

There is no argument to be made to bring excess outside backs and have no cover at half back. You need 3 of each half back position

29-08-2015 06:56PM

With presumption of fitness here is what I think will be the 31:

LH: Healy, McGrath
Hooker: Best, Strauss, Cronin
TH: Ross, Moore
Front Row Cover: Michael Bent
Lock: POC, Toner, Henderson, Ryan
Back Row: POM, SOB, Heaslip, Henry, Murphy
Scrumhalf: Murray, Reddan, Boss
Outhalf: Sexton, Jackson
Outhalf / Centre Cover: Madigan
Centre: Henshaw, Payne
Wing: Trimble, Bowe,
Wing / Centre Cover: Fitzgerald,
Wing / Fullback cover: D Kearney
Fullback: R Kearney, Jones

.ak · 29-08-2015 07:05PM

[Deleted User] wrote: »

With presumption of fitness here is what I think will be the 31:

LH: Healy, McGrath
Hooker: Best, Strauss, Cronin
TH: Ross, Moore
Front Row Cover: Michael Bent
Lock: POC, Toner, Henderson, Ryan
Back Row: POM, SOB, Heaslip, Henry, Murphy
Scrumhalf: Murray, Reddan, Boss
Outhalf: Sexton, Jackson
Outhalf / Centre Cover: Madigan
Centre: Henshaw, Payne
Wing: Trimble, Bowe,
Wing / Centre Cover: Fitzgerald,
Wing / Fullback cover: D Kearney
Fullback: R Kearney, Jones

I really hope zebo or earls gets in there ahead of Jones.

wp_rathead · 29-08-2015 07:14PM

I have to say Dave Kearney is starting to win me over, and I'd like see return of our 2014 6N wings of DK and Trimble

(back three will once again sound like a badass law firm: Kearney, Kearney and Trimble)

smiley_face · 29-08-2015 07:21PM

Back three should be Zebo, Trimble and R Kearney
Jones on the bench.
D Kearney as backup.
Choice between Cave, Earls or Fitz as centre backup, I'd choose Cave but suspect Joe wouldn't, but expect Fitz is now ahead of Earls.

connachta · 29-08-2015 07:43PM

smiley_face wrote: »

Back three should be Zebo, Trimble and R Kearney
Jones on the bench.
D Kearney as backup.
Choice between Cave, Earls or Fitz as centre backup, I'd choose Cave but suspect Joe wouldn't, but expect Fitz is now ahead of Earls.

No way Jones ahead of Earls and Kearney

29-08-2015 07:46PM

.ak wrote: »

I really hope zebo or earls gets in there ahead of Jones.

Joe sees something in Jones and he fits into his strategy. I think he'll travel, otherwise Zebo'd have benched methinks.

smiley_face · 29-08-2015 07:55PM

connachta wrote: »

No way Jones ahead of Earls and Kearney

Jones is ahead as no. 23 and would play 15 if R Kearney injured or sits out a match.
But if either winger gets injured or sits out a match then D Kearney would slot straight in.
Having said all that, D Kearney could play 23 and cover both wings with Zebo moving to fullback if R Kearney got injured, so it's 60/40 still IMO for Jones.

29-08-2015 07:59PM

smiley_face wrote: »

Jones is ahead as no. 23 and would play 15 if R Kearney injured or sits out a match.
But if either winger gets injured or sits out a match then Kearney would slot straight in.
After saying that, D Kearney could play 23 and cover both wings with Zebo moving to fullback if R Kearney got injured, so it's 60/40 still IMO for Jones.

Not entirely sure of that. I can't remember Kearney missing a big game before so we don't really know who Schmidt would bring in.

connachta · 29-08-2015 08:00PM

Earls and Fitzgerald both injured... from a headache (two for one spot) to another (0 for 1)?

connachta · 29-08-2015 08:01PM

smiley_face wrote: »

Jones is ahead as no. 23 and would play 15 if R Kearney injured or sits out a match.
But if either winger gets injured or sits out a match then D Kearney would slot straight in.
Having said all that, D Kearney could play 23 and cover both wings with Zebo moving to fullback if R Kearney got injured, so it's 60/40 still IMO for Jones.

Zebo and Payne (or even Henshaw or Earls) are enough to cover FB

Ireland Team Talk/Gossip/Rumour Thread IV

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