Ireland vs Australia - Discussion Thread

[MMC]

First topic message reminder :

Ireland:
1. Cian Healy
2. Rory Best
3. Mike Ross
4. Donncha O'Callaghan
5. Paul O'Connell
6. Stephen Ferris
7. Sean O'Brien
8. Jamie Heaslip
9. Eoin Reddan
10. Jonathan Sexton
11. Keith Earls
12. Gordon D'Arcy
13. Brian O'Driscoll (c)
14. Tommy Bowe
15. Rob Kearney

Replacements:
16. Jerry Flannery
17. Tom Court
18. Donnacha Ryan
19. Denis Leamy
20. Conor Murray
21. Ronan O'Gara
22. Andrew Trimble


Australia:
15. Kurtley Beale (NSW Waratahs)
14. James O’Connor (Western Force)
13. Anthony Fainga’a (Queensland Reds)
12. Pat McCabe (Brumbies)
11. Adam Ashley-Cooper (Brumbies)
10. Quade Cooper (Queensland Reds)
9. Will Genia (Queensland Reds)
8. Radike Samo (Queensland Reds)
7. David Pocock (Western Force)
6. Rocky Elsom (Brumbies)
5. James Horwill (Queensland Reds, captain)
4. Dan Vickerman (NSW Waratahs)
3. Ben Alexander (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (Brumbies)
1. Sekope Kepu (NSW Waratahs)

Reserves:
16. Tatafu Polota Nau (NSW Waratahs)
17. James Slipper (Queensland Reds)
18. Rob Simmons (Queensland Reds)
19. Ben McCalman (Western Force)
20. Scott Higginbotham (Queensland Reds)
21. Luke Burgess (NSW Waratahs)
22. Drew Mitchell (NSW Waratahs)

COME ON IRELAND!!

littlejohn's thread about how we can beat the Wallabies:

Would like to hear other people's views on what ireland need to do to have a chance of beating Australia this Saturday. Here are some of my naive thoughts on what needs to happen:

1. Ireland to play with same agression when they played England earlier this year. While ireland have not really performed since then, I'm quietly confident they'll be fired up for this game!

2. Steal some of Italy's tactics for the game. Italy did really well in the first half vs Oz by kicking very well timed up and unders (generally aimed at AAC), and they were very well organised in defence, which resulted in frustration creeping in for the Wallabies. If they had a decent 10 this might have been a lot closer!

3. Start with ROG - His tactical kicking and ability to vary it is in my opinion a better fit for this kind of game. We can always bring Sexton on later if we need to change tactics. I think he's also marginally better at kicking penalty and conversions.

4. Whereever Cooper is standing in defence run at him (ideally using O'Brien/Ferris) - Pretty obvious one this, although he does often stand deep covering full back off lineouts, etc.

5. Play Australia at their own game - Australia have been very good at putting pressure on rucks, but Ireland will need to do the same when Australia have the ball, slowing it down where possible to stop Genia getting into gear.

6. Leverage Bowe and Kearney's height - Cross field kicks (timed well) could reap rewards for us. Rog is excellent at this.

All in all I accept this will be a tall order, but Ireland play the underdog tag better than anyone! I'm praying it won't be yet another herioc defeat. Bring on Saturday!

[Tayto]

FFS why the hell is Darcy in the team.
He has been consistent at being crap for 2 seasons now.

What the hell is going on with the selection process.
No other coach would persist with such rubbish.

Why the F did Kidney take Wallace and McFadden to the WC.

Seems some shoite players are undroppable.

[Standulstermen]

Can somebody tell me how Trimble played in the last game against England. Cause I thought he was average at best.

Earls played a great game in France and was ok against USA. If you want a player to unlock a defense then its Earls ahead of Trimble all the time for me.

You may want to take off the Munster glasses here. Earls wasnt bad in the France game at all. He certainly wasnt great (and not as good as Trimble either). He also wasnt playing wing. I would also remind you that Trimble (while not fantastic) against England didnt cost us 7 points and didnt make any howlers. I dont have a massive issue with the Earls call. Just dont argue its a form call is what i am saying. It may well be the right call mind you

[GunsGerms]

Yes but the last five games they could be involved in were fir Ireland you clown. Stupid comment. Honestly.

[rodders]

Sin I don't care about IHumph!!! He's not in the squad!

Neither do I care about Leamy being on the bench for the Magners final!

All I know is that every time I've seen Leamy over the past 4 seasons he has been either total rubbish or at best average and even his average displays have been few and far between.

I accept he has had injuries but he is slow, fat, unfit, has poor hands, poor discipline, isn't a lineout option, doesn't push in the scrums and generally contributes very little.

We are already carrying D'arcy and O'Callaghan and can't afford another passenger on the pitch.

[Mickado]

I cant name on one head the good performances he has had for Ireland

Any interpreters want to give me the translation of this? You can't name on one head? Do you need more than one head to name his good perfomances or are you looking for more hands? You would only need 4 hands to count all of his caps for Ireland.

[dublin_dave]

done now. personally happy with the half backs. lets hope they deliver a good performance. darcy is very very lucky. donners,heaslip,drico we really need a performance from. they are well capable of it.

trimble is unlucky but agree that earls has not been as bad as made out. Hope he features off the bench. i would have gone with jennings on the basis that he is an out and out open side and ryan,sob can cover 6. cullen is unlucky but ryan is more mobile so may be a better sub.

right on with it now. come on you horrible arrogant pug nosed no necked sun tanned arrogant criminal convict *&#@Os. LETS BE AVING YA!!!!!!!!

[shantara]

The selection of Earls and D'Arcy aside, I feel that we are putting out our strongest team.

I know the debate is raging over Sexton's recent form but I hope that DK has now shared with the squad that his first choice 9 & 10 are Reddan and Sexton. We need the squad to settle and the time for tinkering is well and truly over. It might help lift some pressure from Sexton.

D'Arcy - I really hope that he sorts himself out as I'm struggling to see what better options we have outside Paddy Wallace. Saturday is last chance saloon for him in my book. Fail to deliver and she shouldn't be in green again.

BOD is clearly still carrying an injury. I can't think of any other reason Earls would should be selected over Trimble except to help cover BOD. The only mistake that Trimble has made over the last 5 games is that kick against the USA.

It's time to deliver. We know that they can perform. They did it against England in March. I expect the same on Saturday. Anything less and I'm not interested in the excuses.

[Sin é]

Sin I don't care about IHumph!!! He's not in the squad!

Neither do I care about Leamy being on the bench for the Magners final!

All I know is that every time I've seen Leamy over the past 4 seasons he has been either total rubbish or at best average and even his average displays have been few and far between.

I accept he has had injuries but he is slow, fat, unfit, has poor hands, poor discipline, isn't a lineout option, doesn't push in the scrums and generally contributes very little.

We are already carrying D'arcy and O'Callaghan and can't afford another passenger on the pitch.

Well, you couldn't have seen much of him over the last 4 seasons, because he was injured for most of 2 of them (and he certainly had a superb season (including the tour to the SH) in 2008. After that he was out for about 1.5 seasons, coming back from injury. He said recently that the recent warmups were the first time in 3 years that he wasn't in pain playing recently.

The rest of your comments are just insulting garbage. Stick to worrying about Andrew Trimble kicking the ball away too much.

[BlueMuff]

Can somebody tell me how Trimble played in the last game against England. Cause I thought he was average at best.

Earls played a great game in France and was ok against USA. If you want a player to unlock a defense then its Earls ahead of Trimble all the time for me.

You may want to take off the Munster glasses here. Earls wasnt bad in the France game at all. He certainly wasnt great (and not as good as Trimble either). He also wasnt playing wing. I would also remind you that Trimble (while not fantastic) against England didnt cost us 7 points and didnt make any howlers. I dont have a massive issue with the Earls call. Just dont argue its a form call is what i am saying. It may well be the right call mind you

Im not saying its a form call Im saying that the negativity around Earls is based on 3 bad mistakes against England. I also honestly believe that Earls has much more ability to unlock the Aussie defense than the reliable dependable Trimble.

[Standulstermen]

I disagree with your last point BlueMuff but agree on the others.

[BlueMuff]

done now.

right on with it now. come on you horrible arrogant pug nosed no necked sun tanned arrogant criminal convict *&#@Os. LETS BE AVING YA!!!!!!!!

Dont agree with many of your calls but your spot on with this. The team is the team and its time to stop the in camp sqaubbling and get right behind our team. Its the WC and it only comes around every 4 years. IRELAND..... IRELAND..... Ireland.....

[GunsGerms]

Sexton and Reddan were on fire at the end of the club season. Everyone in Ireland bar kidney knew they were our first choice half back at that point. Since then kidney has experemented with three different out halves and four different scrum halves and Reddan and sexton have played 15 minutes together going into the biggest match of their careers. This is a complete joke!

The warm up games were for momentum not tinkering. That should have been done a long time ago.

[rodders]

Well, you couldn't have seen much of him over the last 4 seasons, because he was injured for most of 2 of them (and he certainly had a superb season (including the tour to the SH) in 2008. After that he was out for about 1.5 seasons, coming back from injury. He said recently that the recent warmups were the first time in 3 years that he wasn't in pain playing recently.

The rest of your comments are just insulting garbage. Stick to worrying about Andrew Trimble kicking the ball away too much.

Sin any worries I had about Trimble have been eased by his form over the past month. He's the last player I'd be worrying about.

If Leamy wasn't fit for 3 years then why has he been getting selected for Ireland?

[Mickado]

There’s no need to run Earls down, he’s a top quality player. But Trimble is on better form.
That’s essentially all it boils down to.

Sexton and Earls in ahead of ROG and Trimble are similar calls, maybe their form is below that of the player they are in ahead of, but they’re x-factor players and have a massive game in them.

[akaredtop]

The best 15 should have been sorted long ago. It looks like Kidney has'nt a clue what he is doing. He just talks shoite and people accept it.

[BlueMuff]

Sexton and Reddan were on fire at the end of the club season. Everyone in Ireland bar kidney knew they were our first choice half back at that point. Since then kidney has experemented with three different out halves and four different scrum halves and Reddan and sexton have played 15 minutes together going into the biggest match of their careers. This is a complete joke!

The warm up games were for momentum not tinkering. That should have been done a long time ago.

I seem to remember ROG playing Sexton off the park twice in club games towards the end of the club season.

[clivemcl]

Is there really much likelihood that Ireland have STILL held back in terms of training ground moves etc... because they don't want to show their hand?

I wish this is true, but I won't hold my breath!

[Mickado]

Sexton and Reddan were on fire at the end of the club season. Everyone in Ireland bar kidney knew they were our first choice half back at that point. Since then kidney has experemented with three different out halves and four different scrum halves and Reddan and sexton have played 15 minutes together going into the biggest match of their careers. This is a complete joke!

The warm up games were for momentum not tinkering. That should have been done a long time ago.

I seem to remember ROG playing Sexton off the park twice in club games towards the end of the club season.

Refresh my memory. I can only remember 1 where ROG was discernably better than Sexton.

[rodders]

There’s no need to run Earls down, he’s a top quality player. But Trimble is on better form.
That’s essentially all it boils down to.

Yes and no. I think people are applying a bit of favouritism on this one.

I think if you look objectively over the past 5 games there's not much between the two and I say that as an Ulster fan who rates Trimble very highly.

Trimble is unlucky to miss out on a starting place but I don't think this one is as controversial or surprising as some are making out.

[BlueMuff]

Sexton and Reddan were on fire at the end of the club season. Everyone in Ireland bar kidney knew they were our first choice half back at that point. Since then kidney has experemented with three different out halves and four different scrum halves and Reddan and sexton have played 15 minutes together going into the biggest match of their careers. This is a complete joke!

The warm up games were for momentum not tinkering. That should have been done a long time ago.

I seem to remember ROG playing Sexton off the park twice in club games towards the end of the club season.

Refresh my memory. I can only remember 1 where ROG was discernably better than Sexton.

"discernably" - stop using your big posh D4 words on me The ML regular season match in TP and the ML final. Master and pupil came to mind ...

I see that your buddy Rosser is running for President. His Manifesto is in the Times today

[mrsuperclear]

Yes and no. I think people are applying a bit of favouritism on this one.

I think if you look objectively over the past 5 games there's not much between the two and I say that as an Ulster fan who rates Trimble very highly.

Trimble is unlucky to miss out on a starting place but I don't think this one is as controversial or surprising as some are making out.

I was at the match at home to France and let me tell you Earls was shoite. Aside from that, there's not much between the two but I would say trimble was still better. I'm not happy with that call and I'm not happy with the D'arcy call either (but not surprised by that). It is what it is though I suppose.....

[GunsGerms]

Sexton and Reddan were on fire at the end of the club season. Everyone in Ireland bar kidney knew they were our first choice half back at that point. Since then kidney has experemented with three different out halves and four different scrum halves and Reddan and sexton have played 15 minutes together going into the biggest match of their careers. This is a complete joke!

The warm up games were for momentum not tinkering. That should have been done a long time ago.

I seem to remember ROG playing Sexton off the park twice in club games towards the end of the club season.

What you mean is he had a better game than sexton at home. Played him off the park is a bit of a stretch. If OGara is so superior why didn't kidney start him for all the warm up games and make the decision on who is first choice was so we could gain some momentum.

[D24tress]

jaysus lads there is some amount of hate going on in here

where are the positive attitudes

the team is picked we might not agree with it but get behind it

Rog has been playing well, he doesnt get a start, will he throw the toys out of the pram like some of the people on here supporting him, no he will support sexton and then try his hardest.

There has been alot of things here said about certain players on the ireland team which have been ott and a bit much coming from us internet warriors

i have no doubt that we will play well on saturday and if nothing else every man 1-22 will try there hardest and put the body on the line.

Ireland abu

[Sin é]

There’s no need to run Earls down, he’s a top quality player. But Trimble is on better form.
That’s essentially all it boils down to.

Sexton and Earls in ahead of ROG and Trimble are similar calls, maybe their form is below that of the player they are in ahead of, but they’re x-factor players and have a massive game in them.

Funny thing is that Trimble hasn't beaten ONE defender in all the warm-up games, whereas Earls has beaten about 6.

In the England game:

Earls (@ centre) v Trimble @ wing against England
Kick 2/Pass 4/Run 9 | Kick 1/Pass 1/Run 7
Metres Run: 42 | 19
Defenders beaten: 3 | 0
Turned over possession: 2 | 3
Tackling: 6/1 | 2/0
Penalties: 1 | 0

A pretty similar story in the France game when both were on the wing.

Its a myth that Trimble does not turn over possession as well as Earls does.

The different is that Earls is a better attacker and Ireland need that spark as BOD isn't doing it. Tommy Bowe is a bit sluggish, hopefully he has got rid of the cobwebs now as up to now, Trimble's form has been better.

[dublin_dave]

i mean thats what forums are for bluemuff having a moan and a debate. at the end of the day we all really want ireland to do well and i will be roaring at the tele come saturday morning.

It has not been a great 15months for a variety of reasons but we are in a knock out competition. its cup final stuff now. lets tear into them. dare i say if it means a bit of crafty ruff stuff a few late hits on cooper etc and getting under their skin. if they want a bit of a biff as they say lets give them one. No place for taking a backward step.

controlled fury is the way forward. my mind jumped back there to the England 6 nations game and the 2nd rows having 3 fly hacks up the pitch then close lining foden into touch. Was absolutely nuts but my god did it get the crowd going.

If we rattle them and get some quick ball we certainly have the ability to rack up points

a massive ask but hey its the aussies in the world cup. Was always going to be

[valjester]

I think this selection makes it clear that kidney has had his 15 chosen for this game for a long time and he was just waiting for everyone to be fit. The only big call he had to make was taken out of his hand with wally's injury. Happy enough with the selection, disappointed for trimble but earls is quality so I don't think it will affect the team. Worried about the centre pairing but hopefully bod is fit and darcy has got his act together.

On the bench I think the calls made are decent enough. Leamy has been poor for munster but I don't think he has actually been that bad for Ireland. Ryan over cullen makes sense, leo will come into the starting team if there is an injury but ryan is the better impact sub and doc is much more likely to be subbed than poc. If poc is injured we're f****d anyways.

Looking forward to the game now, bad feeling about it though.

[Boyne]

done now.

right on with it now. come on you horrible arrogant pug nosed no necked sun tanned arrogant criminal convict *&#@Os. LETS BE AVING YA!!!!!!!!

Dont agree with many of your calls but your spot on with this. The team is the team and its time to stop the in camp sqaubbling and get right behind our team. Its the WC and it only comes around every 4 years. IRELAND..... IRELAND..... Ireland.....

Jesus you really are a schizophrenic.

[shantara]

It has not been a great 15months for a variety of reasons but we are in a knock out competition. its cup final stuff now. lets tear into them. dare i say if it means a bit of crafty ruff stuff a few late hits on cooper etc and getting under their skin. if they want a bit of a biff as they say lets give them one. No place for taking a backward step.

controlled fury is the way forward. my mind jumped back there to the England 6 nations game and the 2nd rows having 3 fly hacks up the pitch then close lining foden into touch. Was absolutely nuts but my god did it get the crowd going.

If we rattle them and get some quick ball we certainly have the ability to rack up points

a massive ask but hey its the aussies in the world cup. Was always going to be

Exactly. Bring it it. I want to see them hyped for this one. To run this close with a fantastic performance or even win, will be a massive confidence boost. If we show them too much respect then we've had it. I want to see a green giant run riot!!!!

[rodders]

Funny thing is that Trimble hasn't beaten ONE defender in all the warm-up games, whereas Earls has beaten about 6.

In the England game:

Earls (@ centre) v Trimble @ wing against England
Kick 2/Pass 4/Run 9 | Kick 1/Pass 1/Run 7
Metres Run: 42 | 19
Defenders beaten: 3 | 0
Turned over possession: 2 | 3
Tackling: 6/1 | 2/0
Penalties: 1 | 0

A pretty similar story in the France game when both were on the wing.

Its a myth that Trimble does not turn over possession as well as Earls does.

The different is that Earls is a better attacker and Ireland need that spark as BOD isn't doing it. Tommy Bowe is a bit sluggish, hopefully he has got rid of the cobwebs now as up to now, Trimble's form has been better.

I'm not sure why you are comparing stats between a wing and centre?

The only significant point from the stats above is the 1 missed tackle by Earls, which was the one that led to Tuilagi's try.

That apart I think Earls has played reasonably well.

[BlueMuff]

done now.

right on with it now. come on you horrible arrogant pug nosed no necked sun tanned arrogant criminal convict *&#@Os. LETS BE AVING YA!!!!!!!!

Dont agree with many of your calls but your spot on with this. The team is the team and its time to stop the in camp sqaubbling and get right behind our team. Its the WC and it only comes around every 4 years. IRELAND..... IRELAND..... Ireland.....

Jesus you really are a schizophrenic.

Boyne unlike your Im not waiting for the team to fail to pounce on Deccie

[Boyne]

I'm not sure why you are comparing stats between a wing and centre?

Sorry but this guy(s) really bring out the worst in me.

Forget about his guys bogus statistics. He was already caught with his pants down regarding the iHumph stat for which he ended up tripping himself up and contradicting himself.

Best just to ignore him and hope Ireland win the game so he can shut up banging on at how bad the Ulster and Leinster lads are and how the sun shines out of Leamy and ROG's holes.

[Boyne]

Boyne unlike your Im not waiting for the team to fail to pounce on Deccie

WOW. You've got my number!!!!!

[Rava]

I'm not sure why you are comparing stats between a wing and centre?

Sorry but this guy(s) really bring out the worst in me.

Forget about his guys bogus statistics. He was already caught with his pants down regarding the iHumph stat for which he ended up tripping himself up and contradicting himself.

Best just to ignore him and hope Ireland win the game so he can shut up banging on at how bad the Ulster and Leinster lads are and how the sun shines out of Leamy and ROG's holes.

+1

And to think there's two and a half days to go before we play this game

[Boyne]

I think Deccie will have brought it on himself. Not saying we are out of it, but he has put pressure on himself by wasting golden opportunities in the summer, by picking on reputation, by approaching this game with no 7 , for fekking around Sexton , for not playing his No. 1 1/2 back partnership in 4 games , for not trying anything other than P Wallace at 12 (who he has never had any intention of playing) ......

all of these decisions and more are down to 1 man. DK.

As I said before, win Saturday and he is 1/2 way to redemption. Lose it and he has only himself and all of these crazy decisions he has made to blame.

And I am not the only one saying / thinking it.

Doesn't matter where he is from, hes the coach and not above *reproach

*(criticism)

[rodders]

Come on chaps lets just be friends and focus on the game

If we keep focusing on what certain players have done wrong over the past few games we'll be here all day.

Lets face it there hasn't been many players, other than maybe SOB, POC and Ferris, that have really hands down earned their jersey for this one and there's quite a few guys who need to repay Kidney's (blind) faith here.

[Sin é]

Funny thing is that Trimble hasn't beaten ONE defender in all the warm-up games, whereas Earls has beaten about 6.

In the England game:

Earls (@ centre) v Trimble @ wing against England
Kick 2/Pass 4/Run 9 | Kick 1/Pass 1/Run 7
Metres Run: 42 | 19
Defenders beaten: 3 | 0
Turned over possession: 2 | 3
Tackling: 6/1 | 2/0
Penalties: 1 | 0

A pretty similar story in the France game when both were on the wing.

Its a myth that Trimble does not turn over possession as well as Earls does.

The different is that Earls is a better attacker and Ireland need that spark as BOD isn't doing it. Tommy Bowe is a bit sluggish, hopefully he has got rid of the cobwebs now as up to now, Trimble's form has been better.

I'm not sure why you are comparing stats between a wing and centre?

The only significant point from the stats above is the 1 missed tackle by Earls, which was the one that led to Tuilagi's try.

That apart I think Earls has played reasonably well.

I was comparing Earls worst game with one of Trimbles. The positions Earls played (mainly centre) don't seem to be an issue when the two player's form are compared.

Anyway, the real bit of info is that Trimble (a winger) hasn't beaten ONE defender in 4 warm-up games and Earls, playing a variety of positions has beaten defenders about 6 times in 3 games?

[Sin é]

Come on chaps lets just be friends and focus on the game

If we keep focusing on what certain players have done wrong over the past few games we'll be here all day.

Lets face it there hasn't been many players, other than maybe SOB, POC and Ferris, that have really hands down earned their jersey for this one and there's quite a few guys who need to repay Kidney's (blind) faith here.

Have a word with yourself - your post on Denis Leamy is a disgrace!

[MMC]

Anyone know when the Aussie team is due to be announced?

I wonder are we the only group of fans who bicker amongst each other so much. To be honest, I don't think there's any harm in it. It'd be a quiet place otherwise.

We all have pretty strong views and we all have our favourite players. At the end of the day though there's no one of us here that wouldn't be delighted if we beat Oz due to a Sexton fullhouse, a Leamy hattrick, a 30 point haul from ROG or whatever other scenario you care to mention. The fact is it doesn't matter who scores the points on the day, they all add up to just one total - Ireland's.

Don't listen to what other people say - the time for b*tching is nigh! The time for getting behind the team as a collective doesn't happen until 9:30am on Saturday morning.

[Sin é]

I love the way you all run for cover when you don't like the info coming back.

Its laughable that you all seem to have missed that Leamy is the only No. 8 cover we have (though I suppose your all so bitter and miserable you would prefer to have Jennings playing No. 8 even though he isn't even international standard at No. 7).

[Boyne]

I love the way you all run for cover when you don't like the info coming back.

Its laughable that you all seem to have missed that Leamy is the only No. 8 cover we have (though I suppose your all so bitter and miserable you would prefer to have Jennings playing No. 8 even though he isn't even international standard at No. 7).

SOB?

Way off with ya.

[clivemcl]

Anyway, the real bit of info is that Trimble (a winger) hasn't beaten ONE defender in 4 warm-up games and Earls, playing a variety of positions has beaten defenders about 6 times in 3 games?

Sin e, what about consideration for how often the ball got passed out to the winger? also, out of interest, whats the stats for the rest of the backline beating defenders? Don't forget that the whole team struggled to score tries in the warm ups, not just Trimble.

[Boyne]

It is widely accepted by anyone with 1/2 a brain that Trimble was the best player we had in the Autumn. Bar none.

It is amazing for most people that he is not starting. Why do you continue to make an eejit of yourself with these nonsensical stats?

Are you being intentionally *obtrusive??

*(difficult, pushy, obvious)

[Standulstermen]

Sin

You conveniently use stats to back up your argument and then ignore ones that dont. You're making a rod for your own back. Thats the issue. You mentioned the other games briefly. You dont mention that Trimble didnt concede a penalty in his games, earls didnt manage any offloads or that in the games they played together Earls was turned over more than Trimble and tackles missed column has a big 0 beside Trimble.

The Earls call may turn out to be bang on (and i for one was only critical of him after the France home game where he was poor; he did grand tuilaigi aside, in the others) but cant you understand that if you use Stats to argue your point you need to present the full quota.

[Don Alfonso]

It's become apparent that Deccie has a dual-track coaching philosophy.

Unfortunately it's based on the two cheesy eighties posters that hang in his office - "SAME SH#T, DIFFERENT DAY!" and that one with the kitten dangling from the branch that says "HANG IN THERE, BABY!"

Sill, it's done. And I'm off this Saturday morning - must be a sign that fate demands I sit and drink spirits at a ridiculously early hour, watching us hammer the Australians into the earth.

Let's have a go at their soft underbelly...

[rodders]

Have a word with yourself - your post on Denis Leamy is a disgrace!

I'm sure the free holiday Dennis is getting to NZ at the IRFU's expense should take his mind off the criticism.

[Standulstermen]

Have a word with yourself - your post on Denis Leamy is a disgrace!

I'm sure the free holiday Dennis is getting to NZ at the IRFU's expense should take his mind off the criticism.

Its the only reason Paddy is still smiling

[Boyne]

It's become apparent that Deccie has a dual-track coaching philosophy.

Unfortunately it's based on the two cheesy eighties posters that hang in his office - "SAME SH#T, DIFFERENT DAY!" and that one with the kitten dangling from the branch that says "HANG IN THERE, BABY!"

Sill, it's done. And I'm off this Saturday morning - must be a sign that fate demands I sit and drink spirits at a ridiculously early hour, watching us hammer the Australians into the earth.

Let's have a go at their soft underbelly...

Hilar.

(I hope you are messing about the spirits tho)

[MrsP]

How does a coach maintain the respect of his players when he makes these selections?

I used to think Kidney was a great man manager but now...

I really hope the players don't feel the way I do about this.

Don't get me wrong now. Come Saturday I'll be shouting my little Irish head off for each and every one of the lads in green but I would love to know how Kidney can keep the trust of his players when he does stuff like this.

[Sin é]

Anyway, the real bit of info is that Trimble (a winger) hasn't beaten ONE defender in 4 warm-up games and Earls, playing a variety of positions has beaten defenders about 6 times in 3 games?

Sin e, what about consideration for how often the ball got passed out to the winger? also, out of interest, whats the stats for the rest of the backline beating defenders? Don't forget that the whole team struggled to score tries in the warm ups, not just Trimble.

Fitzgerald = 3
Earls = 6
O'Gara = 2
Sexton = 3
Bowe = 1

The rest were 0.

Even Leamy managed to beat a defender against the USA!

Even some of the rest of them were a bit better in attack, Trimble might have got selected ahead of Earls - but he is by far our best attacking player.

[rodders]

Have a word with yourself - your post on Denis Leamy is a disgrace!

I'm sure the free holiday Dennis is getting to NZ at the IRFU's expense should take his mind off the criticism.

Its the only reason Paddy is still smiling

Stand is there any truth in the rumours that Paddy was asked to leave his rugby kit behind because the IRFU were over their weight allowance?

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