Ireland v USA - Live Match Thread & Post Match Discussion

[Pal Joey]

First topic message reminder :

Ireland v USA, Sunday 11/9 4:00pm (EST), New Plymouth

Ireland (15-1): Geordan Murphy; Tommy Bowe, Brian O'Driscoll, Gordon D'Arcy, Keith Earls, Jonathan Sexton, Conor Murray, Jamie Heaslip, Shane Jennings, Stephen Ferris; Paul O'Connell, Donncha O'Callagha; Mike Ross, Rory Best, Tom Court.

Res: Jerry Flannery, Tony Buckley, Donnacha Ryan, Denis Leamy, Eoin Reddan, Sean O'Brien, Andrew Trimble.


United States (15-1): Blaine Scully, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Paul Emerick, Andrew Suniula, James Paterson; Roland Suniula, Mike Petri, Nic Johnson, Todd Clever (capt), Louis Stanfill, Hayden Smith, John van der Giessen, Shawn Pittman, Phil Thiel, Mike MacDonald.

Res: Chris Biller, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Scott LaValla, Pat Danahy, Tim Usasz, Nese Malifa, Colin Hawley.

[Standulstermen]

To be honest we need something left field to have any chance imo

[Glas a du]

I don't know who will win, but I hope it's as good a match as 1991.

[valjester]

To be honest we need something left field to have any chance imo

The things is it will be close. We will lose but in a spirited display and there will lots of encouraging things and then we will go out and play like c**p against italy and russia before raising our game against south africa in the quarter final only to lose narrowly. It is always the way with Irish teams and their complete failure to deal with being the favourites for anything. Once we are the underdog we have no problem going out and giving it a lash.

[Standulstermen]

To be honest though Val i had hoped we had moved on from that. 2009 is seeming more and mroe like a blip.

[Irish Curry]

Well at least were not scotland who dont even have that

[rodders]

Jesus Rodders thats fairly positive from you.

Stand I'm not sure if you are being sarcastic but yeah I'm happy to get a win under our belts against a tough USA side on 9/11. All the top sides are struggling against the "minnows" this WC and after our form in the warm ups I never expected anything other than a tough work out. Given the weather conditions I think we created some good chances and the tries we scored were all high quality. The set piece was solid and Bowe is edging his way into form which is important.

I think the performance was a massive improvement from the warm up games although nowhere near the level we'll need next week.

[valjester]

To be honest though Val i had hoped we had moved on from that. 2009 is seeming more and mroe like a blip.

It has always been so, something to do with the national psyche, we seem to need to feel like everyone is against us before we can perform. I think that the last world cup might be weighing heavily on the minds of some players and the constant talk of doing things differently from 07 just seems like they are dwelling on mistakes from the past. Or I'm probably reading too much into it.

Rodders; Bowe was poor today.

[BlueMuff]

Conor Murray is getting a lot of criticism. I thought he had a solid game today. He got fast ball out all day with good clean passing. He made two or three sniping breaks gaining valuable meters. Yes he was overrun twice at the ruck but he shouldnt shoulder the blame for that. Also unlucky to be blocked down on poor kick but otherwise his main job was done well.

[rodders]

Yes he was stand, he had an awful first half but he's starting to pick those lines up the middle again and those tries were classy. If D'arcy had of gave a decent pass he'd have had a hattrick.

[Standulstermen]

Rodders

Not sarcasm at all. You have been pretty vocal after the warm ups just and for me, that performance was little or no better than the warm ups.

I dont think all our tries were high quality.

1 off a good maul and break from Rory (good).

the first one i think we had lost all shape and Bowe took an inside pass whilst standing still. Fortunately the US line was a mess and a simple missed tackle meant we were in. (never gonna happen against a better team)

3rd try; here we agree. It was simple hands between Bowe and BOD but the real gem was using Ferris on he decoy as you see him draw in 3 tacklers and thus the space is made on the outside. (we used a similar ploy against Wales in Croke in 2010 for Earls to score i believe).

[Standulstermen]

Yes he was stand, he had an awful first half but he's starting to pick those lines up the middle again and those tries were classy. If D'arcy had of gave a decent pass he'd have had a hattrick.

not sure what you are replying to rodders?

[rodders]

Conor Murray is getting a lot of criticism. I thought he had a solid game today. He got fast ball out all day with good clean passing. He made two or three sniping breaks gaining valuable meters. Yes he was overrun twice at the ruck but he shouldnt shoulder the blame for that. Also unlucky to be blocked down on poor kick but otherwise his main job was done well.

I concur. He made a couple of howlers but his allround game was good I thought. I would start with Reddan next week though alongside Sexton who also wasn't as bad as some are making out.

[rodders]

Yes he was stand, he had an awful first half but he's starting to pick those lines up the middle again and those tries were classy. If D'arcy had of gave a decent pass he'd have had a hattrick.

not sure what you are replying to rodders?

Sorry Stand, about Bowe being poor.

[Standulstermen]

Conor Murray is getting a lot of criticism. I thought he had a solid game today. He got fast ball out all day with good clean passing. He made two or three sniping breaks gaining valuable meters. Yes he was overrun twice at the ruck but he shouldnt shoulder the blame for that. Also unlucky to be blocked down on poor kick but otherwise his main job was done well.

Cant agree Bluemuff. His distribution was incredibly slow at times and you could see POC yelling at him. Also his decision making taking the blindside far too often. Im not writing the guy off. He is clearly the best option we have going forward after the RWC but for me Reddan has to come in.

[BlueMuff]

Rodders I too unfortunately have to disagree. I thought it was the worst performance of all the 5 matches. To have that much dominance in the set piece and only score three tries against a side like the US is shocking. Our mid field is devoid of any invention and are now starting to fall off tackles.

[BlueMuff]

Conor Murray is getting a lot of criticism. I thought he had a solid game today. He got fast ball out all day with good clean passing. He made two or three sniping breaks gaining valuable meters. Yes he was overrun twice at the ruck but he shouldnt shoulder the blame for that. Also unlucky to be blocked down on poor kick but otherwise his main job was done well.

Cant agree Bluemuff. His distribution was incredibly slow at times and you could see POC yelling at him. Also his decision making taking the blindside far too often. Im not writing the guy off. He is clearly the best option we have going forward after the RWC but for me Reddan has to come in.

I will have to watch back SUM again but on first watching I thought his positioing was very good and he got very fast ball out. It was Sexton who kept on coming back on the blindside. They commented on this in the analysis.

[rodders]

Conor Murray is getting a lot of criticism. I thought he had a solid game today. He got fast ball out all day with good clean passing. He made two or three sniping breaks gaining valuable meters. Yes he was overrun twice at the ruck but he shouldnt shoulder the blame for that. Also unlucky to be blocked down on poor kick but otherwise his main job was done well.

Cant agree Bluemuff. His distribution was incredibly slow at times and you could see POC yelling at him. Also his decision making taking the blindside far too often. Im not writing the guy off. He is clearly the best option we have going forward after the RWC but for me Reddan has to come in.

Stand Murray's service may have been slow at times but the USA were disrupting a lot of our ball with their aggressive counterrucking, a lot of it from an offside position. Instead of shouting at murray maybe O'Connell should have been calling for more numbers to commit to the rucks to secure clean ball.

[Irish Curry]

D'arcy needs to be dropped and bod is in shocking form too. Pick Wallace!

[valjester]

Rodders

Not sarcasm at all. You have been pretty vocal after the warm ups just and for me, that performance was little or no better than the warm ups.

I dont think all our tries were high quality.

1 off a good maul and break from Rory (good).

the first one i think we had lost all shape and Bowe took an inside pass whilst standing still. Fortunately the US line was a mess and a simple missed tackle meant we were in. (never gonna happen against a better team)

3rd try; here we agree. It was simple hands between Bowe and BOD but the real gem was using Ferris on he decoy as you see him draw in 3 tacklers and thus the space is made on the outside. (we used a similar ploy against Wales in Croke in 2010 for Earls to score i believe).

For the third try Bod could have passed either way and we were in, bowe and earls both ran brilliant support lines. The disappointing thing was that for most of the match the support for breaks was s**t. When earls made the break in the first few minutes he was looking around for some to offload to and there was no one near him. Also if bowe and earls play on the wings together again they need to be careful on the lines they run because there were a few times they nearly got in each others way due to both taking the same line.

On murray; he looked what he is today, an inexperienced player with potential.

[Standulstermen]

Muff

I too have to rewatch it so will hold fire. either way it was tough conditions for a first cap. I actually think Murray wont feature at all next week. I didnt think the US got too much joy disrupting us in the 1st half. it was our mistakes that cost us. In the 2nd half Joubert let them infringe with impunity so they had carte blanche to disrupt.

[Glas a du]

The shocking thing is that I don't think Ireland had a gear spare. That was the a game, albeit a bit rusty, and the first choice team from those available.

[asoreleftshoulder]

I know BoD was poor but I thought he improved after the 3rd try,his tackling was noticeably more aggressive.It was like he wasn't sure about the shoulder but then realised it was alright.
I hope it's a sign he's now ready to go rather than his professional fitness counting against a team of mostly amateurs.
I'm a bit more in the middle on Murray than most,I don't think he was terrible but he threw a few howlers and had a couple of bad kicks,he'll be better for the experience but he was never gonna start next week anyway.
One other thing,will Boss be used at all?If not then he should just have brought O'Leary and used him for the Russia game as Boss is at the World Cup despite not having featured under Kidney.It seems a waste of a spot.

[rodders]

I think you are all overreacting. That was a decent start to the tournament.

[Standulstermen]

Rodders

Not sarcasm at all. You have been pretty vocal after the warm ups just and for me, that performance was little or no better than the warm ups.

I dont think all our tries were high quality.

1 off a good maul and break from Rory (good).

the first one i think we had lost all shape and Bowe took an inside pass whilst standing still. Fortunately the US line was a mess and a simple missed tackle meant we were in. (never gonna happen against a better team)

3rd try; here we agree. It was simple hands between Bowe and BOD but the real gem was using Ferris on he decoy as you see him draw in 3 tacklers and thus the space is made on the outside. (we used a similar ploy against Wales in Croke in 2010 for Earls to score i believe).

For the third try Bod could have passed either way and we were in, bowe and earls both ran brilliant support lines. The disappointing thing was that for most of the match the support for breaks was s**t. When earls made the break in the first few minutes he was looking around for some to offload to and there was no one near him. Also if bowe and earls play on the wings together again they need to be careful on the lines they run because there were a few times they nearly got in each others way due to both taking the same line.

On murray; he looked what he is today, an inexperienced player with potential.

disagree on the earls break. Heaslip was with him but earls spotted him that split second late and got the man just as he was releasing. (no ones fault as such, just that split second)

I agree on Murray

The support of breaks were rather turd i have to agree. that being said those arent conditions for forcing offloads which apparently we didnt understand in the 1st half

[rodders]

Anyone else worried about Heaslips form?

I seriously think there is a case for playing Ferris, O'Brien and Jennings next week.

Certainly SOB and Ferris have to start and I thought Jennings was much better than Heaslip today.

[Glas a du]

Anyone else worried about Heaslips form?

I seriously think there is a case for playing Ferris, O'Brien and Jennings next week.

Certainly SOB and Ferris have to start and I thought Jennings was much better than Heaslip today.

Hear, hear. SOB for 8.

[valjester]

disagree on the earls break. Heaslip was with him but earls spotted him that split second late and got the man just as he was releasing. (no ones fault as such, just that split second)

I agree on Murray

The support of breaks were rather turd i have to agree. that being said those arent conditions for forcing offloads which apparently we didnt understand in the 1st half

Look at it again, heaslip supports him on his left hand side at first but when earls looks to his left after the break heaslip isn't there anymore so he looks to the right and gets smashed losing the ball before he could offload. Heaslip ran a support line but it wasn't an intelligent one or the right one. Also if you look at new zealand, australia or france there would have been two or three options available when the attack like that.

[valjester]

Anyone else worried about Heaslips form?

I seriously think there is a case for playing Ferris, O'Brien and Jennings next week.

Certainly SOB and Ferris have to start and I thought Jennings was much better than Heaslip today.

Jennings was okay but he was completely outplayed by clever, think what pocock will do to him. Heaslip is one of the top eights in the world and although he was poor in the second half, he was decent in the first half. We are really going to miss wally unfortunately. The backrow next week will be fez-sob-heaslip as they are they best players.

[rodders]

In terms of the USA I thought Clever was excellent today and the best player on the pitch along with Ferris. Emerick gave BOD all sorts of trouble too, although he was helped in that D'arcy gave him better service than he did BOD .

[Standulstermen]

disagree on the earls break. Heaslip was with him but earls spotted him that split second late and got the man just as he was releasing. (no ones fault as such, just that split second)

I agree on Murray

The support of breaks were rather turd i have to agree. that being said those arent conditions for forcing offloads which apparently we didnt understand in the 1st half

Look at it again, heaslip supports him on his left hand side at first but when earls looks to his left after the break heaslip isn't there anymore so he looks to the right and gets smashed losing the ball before he could offload. Heaslip ran a support line but it was an intelligent one or the right one. Also if you look at new zealand, australia or france there would have been two or three options available when the attack like that.

Yep heaslip changed sides but i think that was just due to him picking the right line. AS i say i dont think anyone was really to blame for that, Totally agree regarding our lack of support in comparison to the top teams though. Kaino's try for Nz was the perfect example

[valjester]

disagree on the earls break. Heaslip was with him but earls spotted him that split second late and got the man just as he was releasing. (no ones fault as such, just that split second)

I agree on Murray

The support of breaks were rather turd i have to agree. that being said those arent conditions for forcing offloads which apparently we didnt understand in the 1st half

Look at it again, heaslip supports him on his left hand side at first but when earls looks to his left after the break heaslip isn't there anymore so he looks to the right and gets smashed losing the ball before he could offload. Heaslip ran a support line but it was an intelligent one or the right one. Also if you look at new zealand, australia or france there would have been two or three options available when the attack like that.

Yep heaslip changed sides but i think that was just due to him picking the right line. AS i say i dont think anyone was really to blame for that, Totally agree regarding our lack of support in comparison to the top teams though. Kaino's try for Nz was the perfect example

The more I think about it, I think we need bowe, earls and trimble playing next week. From the games so far they are they only ones consistently running support lines and with sob back in next week, he will make at least one line break but it will be pointless if he gets isolated.

[I'm Optimist]

Murray wasn't that bad! Got no help from our forwards or the ref at rucks and did snipe twice to good effect. Still would start Reddan against the Aussies cos of his experience. What about Trimble at 12 instead of Darcy? Good strong ball carrier could tie in Cooper and McCabe and leave space for Bowe/Earls or BoD to exploit. Kearney has to start at 15 too. With Healy and O Brien back also could add up to a completely different team performance. Fingers crossed

[valjester]

Murray wasn't that bad! Got no help from our forwards or the ref at rucks and did snipe twice to good effect. Still would start Reddan against the Aussies cos of his experience. What about Trimble at 12 instead of Darcy? Good strong ball carrier could tie in Cooper and McCabe and leave space for Bowe/Earls or BoD to exploit. Kearney has to start at 15 too. With Healy and O Brien back also could add up to a completely different team performance. Fingers crossed

Leave trimble on the wing, he was f***ed around enough when he was younger and has begun to shine now he has a permanent position.

[rodders]

What about Trimble at 12 instead of Darcy?

We could stick Declan Kidney at 12 and he wouldn't do worse than D'arcy. I seriously think Wallace might start but as long as we don't play D'arcy again then I don't care who plays, D'arcy is so far off the pace it's embarressing.

[valjester]

What about Trimble at 12 instead of Darcy?

We could stick Declan Kidney at 12 and he wouldn't do worse than D'arcy. I seriously think Wallace might start but as long as we don't play D'arcy again then I don't care who plays, D'arcy is so far off the pace it's embarressing.

Fitz must be sitting at home and wondering how he isn't in new zealand. The amount of ball that dies with darcy nowadays is appalling.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

I think Wallace has to start against Aus for many of his good attributes and also for how bad darcy is playing.

For that reason I believe sexton should start as rog-Wallace does not work.

Would go reddan and boss also
Bowe and Trimble with Kearney at 15

[valjester]

I think Wallace has to start against Aus for many of his good attributes and also for how bad darcy is playing.

For that reason I believe sexton should start as rog-Wallace does not work.

Would go reddan and boss also
Bowe and Trimble with Kearney at 15

You coming around to what I said before the squad was announced about kearney now?


I hate the build up to matches all the excitement and hope only for it to be dashed as the team decides to play like they've never heard of the sport before and try to compete for who can do the stupidest thing of the day.

[rodders]

What about Trimble at 12 instead of Darcy?

We could stick Declan Kidney at 12 and he wouldn't do worse than D'arcy. I seriously think Wallace might start but as long as we don't play D'arcy again then I don't care who plays, D'arcy is so far off the pace it's embarressing.

Fitz must be sitting at home and wondering how he isn't in new zealand. The amount of ball that dies with darcy nowadays is appalling.

Val I'm sitting at home and wondering why I'm not in NZ! D'arcy should stick to running that nightclub he owns because his rugby days are numbered. It's a shame because there were times we he was even better than BOD but right now he is awful and doesn't deserve to be anywhere near an Ireland jersey.

[valjester]

What about Trimble at 12 instead of Darcy?

We could stick Declan Kidney at 12 and he wouldn't do worse than D'arcy. I seriously think Wallace might start but as long as we don't play D'arcy again then I don't care who plays, D'arcy is so far off the pace it's embarressing.

Fitz must be sitting at home and wondering how he isn't in new zealand. The amount of ball that dies with darcy nowadays is appalling.

Val I'm sitting at home and wondering why I'm not in NZ! D'arcy should stick to running that nightclub he owns because his rugby days are numbered. It's a shame because there were times we he was even better than BOD but right now he is awful and doesn't deserve to be anywhere near an Ireland jersey.

Yep darcy's poor form is made worse by the fact that bod is in poor form as well. We can just about carry one of them if they have an average day but we're f***ed when they're both playing poorly. Hopefully paddy comes in next week, get motm and shuts that fat f**k hook up once and for all.

[Feagh McHugh]

Cant see whole sale changes been made for next week (even though today was painful). With all the singling out of particular players Im surprised nobody has really mentioned the coaching team.
Like for instance Darcy still in the team,
I didnt agree with Murphy starting and thought RK needed game time ahead of the OZ game as he is just simply stronger faster and better defensively than GM.
Earls shunted around once again to no real effect.
SOB not even on the bench was also a poor call.
Starting Sexton and Murray was also a poor decision, it should have been Boss and Reddan,
Oh and of course the non existent game plan once again.

For next week Id drop Doc for Ryan, Sob for Jenno but Jenno on the bench.
Sexton and Reddan and Boss on the bench.
Trimble for Earls and McFad on the bench.
Wallace for Darcy

[valjester]

Cant see whole sale changes been made for next week (even though today was painful). With all the singling out of particular players Im surprised nobody has really mentioned the coaching team.
Like for instance Darcy still in the team,
I didnt agree with Murphy starting and thought RK needed game time ahead of the OZ game as he is just simply stronger faster and better defensively than GM.
Earls shunted around once again to no real effect.
SOB not even on the bench was also a poor call.
Starting Sexton and Murray was also a poor decision, it should have been Boss and Reddan,
Oh and of course the non existent game plan once again.

For next week Id drop Doc for Ryan, Sob for Jenno but Jenno on the bench.
Sexton and Reddan and Boss on the bench.
Trimble for Earls and McFad on the bench.
Wallace for Darcy

Sob and kearney weren't in because they are carrying slight injuries.
Starting two scrumhalfs wouldn't have been the brightest.
Earls had a decent game and should be on the bench next week. He is miles ahead of mcfadden.
Jennings won't make the bench, hes not up to the physicality levels of international rugby, he got dominated by clever today and pocock is a lot better.
Doc will start whether we like it or not.

[Feagh McHugh]

SOB was passed fully fit on Wednesday after taking part in full contact training.

Kearney was passed fully fit before Sean and Murphy started because Kidney decided he was his first choice - do you really think Kearney was been rested???
.
Dont be a smart ass, you know what I meant (Reddan and Boss should have been the match day scrum halves.

Jennings did ok today Leamy didnt contribute much when he came on either - but at least Jennings on the bench means the backrow is covered better.

DOC probably will start - but that doesn't mean he shouldn't.

[Gibson]

Feagh,
Id go with most of that. Boss and Reddan for sure. Trimble for Earls - definitely. Along with Kearney and Bowe - to form the back 3. McFadden on the bench, because this back line needs someone with speed, strength and skill, to get BOD going if Darcy cant vs Oz. Deccie will play BOD and Darcy next week. He will. Its who backs them up is the real question and Id go for Mcfadden over Paddy. Hes just a better player.

Not starting the usual cycle of endless provincial comments. its just what I and others in the game - feel.

And other point. Jennings on the bench, because he was one of our best players out there today. Did his job to the max. Joubert made the breakdown a lottery- did not police it at all. Jennings & 1F - against mad rampaging Yanks on a 911 mission- did. Heaslip is well off form. But Deccie wont drop him. SOB in. Jenno on the bench. Sorted.

[valjester]

SOB was passed fully fit on Wednesday after taking part in full contact training.

Kearney was passed fully fit before Sean and Murphy started because Kidney decided he was his first choice - do you really think Kearney was been rested???
.
Dont be a smart ass, you know what I meant (Reddan and Boss should have been the match day scrum halves.

Jennings did ok today Leamy didnt contribute much when he came on either - but at Jennings on the bench means the backrow is covered better.

DOC probably will start - but that doesn't mean he shouldn't.

The coaches said clearly earlier in the week that sob and kearney were rested for the match because despite being past fully fit there was no point risking aggravating the muscle injuries.

There was nothing wrong with giving murray the game time, we needed to know how he need from the start.

Jennings was average, he was completely outplayed by his opposite number, he has never done it at international level and is too lightweight to do it. I agree that with leamy on the bench the backrow balance won't be great if sob is injured but its worth the risk.

Doc is still the best option at 4. He usually raises his game for the big matches so lets hope he does it again.

Gibson; What has mcfadden done to warrant being on the bench ahead of earls? What has earls done to deserve to be dropped?

Jennings was at best our 6th best forward after the front row, ferris and poc.

[Gibson]

Jennings was average, he was completely outplayed by his opposite number, he has never done it at international level and is too lightweight to do it. I agree that with leamy on the bench the backrow balance won't be great if sob is injured but its worth the risk.

Val,
Watch the game again pal. I did - twice. As long as Kidney saw what I saw, he's in the 22 next week. Leamy is not up to it. We have SOB, 1F and Heaslip. 2 of who can cover 6 & 8. Jenno and SOB can cover 7.

[Feagh McHugh]

SOB was passed fully fit on Wednesday after taking part in full contact training.

Kearney was passed fully fit before Sean and Murphy started because Kidney decided he was his first choice - do you really think Kearney was been rested???
.
Dont be a smart ass, you know what I meant (Reddan and Boss should have been the match day scrum halves.

Jennings did ok today Leamy didnt contribute much when he came on either - but at Jennings on the bench means the backrow is covered better.

DOC probably will start - but that doesn't mean he shouldn't.

The coaches said clearly earlier in the week that sob and kearney were rested for the match because despite being past fully fit there was no point risking aggravating the muscle injuries.

There was nothing wrong with giving murray the game time, we needed to know how he need from the start.

Jennings was average, he was completely outplayed by his opposite number, he has never done it at international level and is too lightweight to do it. I agree that with leamy on the bench the backrow balance won't be great if sob is injured but its worth the risk.

Doc is still the best option at 4. He usually raises his game for the big matches so lets hope he does it again.

Gibson; What has mcfadden done to warrant being on the bench ahead of earls? What has earls done to deserve to be dropped?

Jennings was at best our 6th best forward after the front row, ferris and poc.

Sean's injury wasn't muscle and in fact he was passed fit on Tuesday to play, I wouldn't have started him but felt he should have been on the bench to get more time with Ferris and Heaslip.

I wasnt overly impressed (as others were by Murphy v England) and Keanerys game time ws limited by an injury the prudent gamble was to play him today, now we are in a situation where after a poor game by Murphy do we start RK after how many games in how long??

Having 3 6's and an 8 as the match day backrow options just doenst work for me.


I did have a conversation with you here before about how unfairly Earls is been treated by the Kidney, but he hasnt preformed in any position so I would seriously consider McF on the bench ahead of him.
Earls is a confidence player and he lacks it at the moment.

[valjester]

Jennings was average, he was completely outplayed by his opposite number, he has never done it at international level and is too lightweight to do it. I agree that with leamy on the bench the backrow balance won't be great if sob is injured but its worth the risk.

Val,
Watch the game again pal. I did - twice. As long as Kidney saw what I saw, he's in the 22 next week. Leamy is not up to it. We have SOB, 1F and Heaslip. 2 of who can cover 6 & 8. Jenno and SOB can cover 7.

So did I. He was average. Clever completely dominated the breakdown. Clever was one of the three best players along with poc and ferris. Jennings was nowhere near them.

What about the other question, what has mcfadden done to be ahead of earls?

[valjester]

Sean's injury wasn't muscle and in fact he was passed fit on Tuesday to play, I wouldn't have started him but felt he should have been on the bench to get more time with Ferris and Heaslip.

I wasnt overly impressed (as others were by Murphy v England) and Keanerys game time ws limited by an injury the prudent gamble was to play him today, now we are in a situation where after a poor game by Murphy do we start RK after how many games in how long??

Having 3 6's and an 8 as the match day backrow options just doenst work for me.


I did have a conversation with you here before about how unfairly Earls is been treated by the Kidney, but he hasnt preformed in any position so I would seriously consider McF on the bench ahead of him.
Earls is a confidence player and he lacks it at the moment.

Kearney will slot back in like he hasn't been away as alway if fit.
McFadden has done nothing of note, earls was poor in one match and has been decent in every other game. Today he was defending the 13 channel at times as well as his own because bod is clearly unfit yet he still did well.
Sob is extremely important now that wally is injured because we don't have another 7 in their quality. He was never going to be risked.
Sob may not be an out and out 7 but that won't matter because ferris and him will play a left right flanker system and the backrow work will be split between them and heaslip.

[Feagh McHugh]

Sean's injury wasn't muscle and in fact he was passed fit on Tuesday to play, I wouldn't have started him but felt he should have been on the bench to get more time with Ferris and Heaslip.

I wasnt overly impressed (as others were by Murphy v England) and Keanerys game time ws limited by an injury the prudent gamble was to play him today, now we are in a situation where after a poor game by Murphy do we start RK after how many games in how long??

Having 3 6's and an 8 as the match day backrow options just doenst work for me.


I did have a conversation with you here before about how unfairly Earls is been treated by the Kidney, but he hasnt preformed in any position so I would seriously consider McF on the bench ahead of him.
Earls is a confidence player and he lacks it at the moment.

Kearney will slot back in like he hasn't been away as alway if fit.
McFadden has done nothing of note, earls was poor in one match and has been decent in every other game. Today he was defending the 13 channel at times as well as his own because bod is clearly unfit yet he still did well.
Sob is extremely important now that wally is injured because we don't have another 7 in their quality. He was never going to be risked.
Sob may not be an out and out 7 but that won't matter because ferris and him will play a left right flanker system and the backrow work will be split between them and heaslip.

Sean says himself he thrives on getting a run of games and he hasnt had much time with Ferris and Heaslip, and while I agree with you they can work together they should have been giving more time as a unit ( 30 - 40 mins today) to gel.
As I said he is fully fit (i.e. not carrying any niggle) - by your logic Ross shouldnt have played either , what about POC BOD etc etc

I hope you are right about RK slotting back so seamlessly but my original post was about poor decisions by management as I believed we should have gone as close to full strength as possible against the US today to get continuity and some "mo" together for the OZ game, and that meant Earls on the bench and Trimble starting too.

[valjester]

Sean says himself he thrives on getting a run of games and he hasnt had much time with Ferris and Heaslip, and while I agree with you they can work together they should have been giving more time as a unit ( 30 - 40 mins today) to gel.
As I said he is fully fit (i.e. not carrying any niggle) - by your logic Ross shouldnt have played either , what about POC BOD etc etc

I hope you are right about RK slotting back so seamlessly but my original post was about poor decisions by management as I believed we should have gone as close to full strength as possible against the US today to get continuity and some "mo" together for the OZ game, and that meant Earls on the bench and Trimble starting too.

Ross nor poc have been injured recently.
We went fairly close to full strength today. Due to poor showings today there may be more changes than originally anticipated. I know you know the lad but what a player thinks or feel themselves isn't always true. Kidney will take medical advice and past experiences into account when picking the team. Kearney has shown in the past that he slots in fairly comfortably. Sob may have been left out because jennings needed the gametime and kidney wanted to try leamy/ferris at 7 to see what his options are in case of more injuries. We are never going to know the full story of what goes on in camp. Earls was one of our best backs today, I really don't get the stick he has being getting here and other places. The backs had barely anything to work with.

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