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!

[shantara]

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/cup-history-suggests-fighting-irish-will-be-anything-but-pushovers-20110915-1kbvn.html

Interesting article. Although Burke is being diplomatic about it he's indicating that Australia will target the Irish centres in defence. Who'd have thought a couple of seasons ago that D'arcy and O'Driscoll would be seen as a potential achilles heel?

He also highlights Sexton, our back 3 and the backrow, in a particular O'Brien as our main attacking threat.

Not much chance of catching them by surprise then on that front then!

I'm just hoping that Armageddon will arrive in the form of a mister 1F.

[rodders]

I'm just hoping that Armageddon will arrive in the form of a mister 1F.

I'm predicting that POC, Heaslip, Ferris and O'Brien will put in displays of such magnitude Australia will think it's the coming of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse!

[shantara]

I'm just hoping that Armageddon will arrive in the form of a mister 1F.

I'm predicting that POC, Heaslip, Ferris and O'Brien will put in displays of such magnitude Australia will think it's the coming of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse!

I'm expecting to see them as pumped up as they were for the England game in March. A wall of green fury. Starting to get exciting!!! Bring on Saturday.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

I'm just hoping that Armageddon will arrive in the form of a mister 1F.

I'm predicting that POC, Heaslip, Ferris and O'Brien will put in displays of such magnitude Australia will think it's the coming of the 4 horsemen of the apocalypse!

I'm expecting to see them as pumped up as they were for the England game in March. A wall of green fury. Starting to get exciting!!! Bring on Saturday.

That's what I am seeing too and some serious bombs from Sexton being chased by Bowe and Kearney like their lives depended on it.

[asoreleftshoulder]

I see O'Brien breaking a tackle then running at Cooper who does his disappearing man trick and giving us an easy score. ''

[rodders]

I see O'Brien breaking a tackle then running at Cooper who does his disappearing man trick and giving us an easy score. ''

I can't explain why but I can see Gordon D'arcy having a big game and perhaps scoring in this one. He just can't continue to be so rubbish. You heard it here first .

[Boyne]

This is beginning to seem more like a support group....

[shantara]

To me, the annoying thing about being an Ireland fan is that since March's performance, we know that they have world class performances in them but we only ever get to see it once in a blue moon against the same old opposition, or even more frustratingly snippets here and there.

I believe that on their day, the boys can tear any team apart. They have to harness the passion, aggression, bloody mindedness, desire and deliver them all together and consistently. The squad to deliver this and reach new heights is here and now. We won't always have this glut of talent available, I just hope that they can fulfil their potential.

[shantara]

This is beginning to seem more like a support group....

Hi, I'm Shantara and I've been a Irish fan as long as I can remember. It all started.....

[Boyne]

This is beginning to seem more like a support group....

Hi, I'm Shantara and I've been a Irish fan as long as I can remember. It all started.....

Not to mention the ups and downs.....

[shantara]

This is beginning to seem more like a support group....

Hi, I'm Shantara and I've been a Irish fan as long as I can remember. It all started.....

Not to mention the ups and downs.....

I take every day as it comes.

[Rob B]

Rob - what are the inexperienced Aussie centres like defensively?

They probably learned a bit about playing in bad weather last autumn.
They sure didn't like Thomond Park or the weather conditions.

From that game:

Munster: J Murphy (S Deasy 75); D Howlett, K Earls (B Murphy 78), S Tuitupou, D Hurley; P Warwick, D Williams (C Murray 78); W Du Preez, D Varley (M Sherry 70), P Borlase (S Archer 78), B Holland, I Nagle (B Hayes 78), P O'Mahony (T O'Donnell 63), N Ronan, J Coughlan (capt).

Australia: L Turner (P Hynes 58); L Morahan, P McCabe, A Faingaa, R Davies; B Barnes (captain), L Burgess (N Phipps 58); B Daley (J Slipper 53), S Faingaa (T Polota-Nau 46), S Ma'afu, D Mumm, R Simmons, S Higginbotham (P McCutcheon HT), M Hodgson, R Brown (V Humphries 52). Ref: Bryce Lawrence (NZRU).


Australia have 2 starters and 4 subs. Conor Murray got 2 mins in that game! The final score was 15-6 to Munster.
Note the ref was Bryce Lawrence

As Gibbo would say - BELIEVE.

Now you're seriously clutching .... but credit to you at least you are referring to the upcoming game rather than hyperbole.

[Full Credit]

This is beginning to seem more like a support group....

The first step is admitting you have a problem... supporting Ireland.

[shantara]

This is beginning to seem more like a support group....

The first step is admitting you have a problem... supporting Ireland.

I was thinking more along the lines of fight club!

[Full Credit]

This is beginning to seem more like a support group....

The first step is admitting you have a problem... supporting Ireland.

I was thinking more along the lines of fight club!

The first rule is... you do not talk about Ireland.

[Standulstermen]

Last chance saloon isnt a word that can be readily associated with the Irish Rugby team imo. By the by i agree with pretty much all of what Constable and Ringland said but not to mention that Constable is his agent is a bit off. What else is he going to say.

On the other article it is interesting the (rather dramatic) drop off in form of BOD and D'arce. BOD does look like he is carrying a knock though. I still maintain that post RWC if the Irish coach doesnt have the stones to drop BOD then we are screwed.

[Tayto]

There needs to be changes made at 12 + 13 with the likes of McFadden and Spence given opportunities to show their worth.
For the last 2 years now Kidney has kept faith with the underperforming Darcy and it has cost us.
BOD in fairness still has something to offer in this WC.

[rodders]

BOD in fairness still has something to offer in this WC.

He certainly does Tayto he certainly does. Right lads time to set the provincial rivalries to one side and kick the gloom into touch...we've got a game to win.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rDbp_nEkkT8&feature=related

[Glas a du]

He certainly does Tayto he certainly does. Right lads time to set the provincial rivalries to one side and kick the gloom into touch...we've got a game to win

[mrsuperclear]

We've still got tonight and all of Friday for provincial rivalries banter Rodders! Stop being such a killjoy

Nice youtube link though...I've pressed replay twice already. Let's hope BOD can score a nice try on Saturday to add to the future youtube montage

[JmD]

I really hope D'Arcy finds some sort of form, but I just can't see it. If we win this game it will be thanks to a huge forward effort.

Earls ahead of Trimble is unforgivable. I can count the mistakes that Trimble has made this series on one finger, whereas Earls has looked utterly out of his depth in every match so far.

[boomeranga]

Our one weekly rugby show focussed mainly on the threat of Sexton, bowe, the back row, and a bit of talk about Kearney. Kearney left a very good impression here two tours ago.

[Gibson]

Yeah Boom. He loves playing v Oz. Style suits him.

But, not when ye are running by him like.

He said in an interview, that he expects lots of booming kicks in this one - from both teams. I feicing hope not. I thought we'd left that Poopie behind. If you'll pardon the pun.

[aucklandlaurie]

Boomer
ther's a bit of a rumour that Wayne bennett was over here last night,having a talk to the Wallabies, have you guys heard that?

[boomeranga]

No Laurie, haven't heard. Bennett is in the news here this morning for heading up to the knights for his day off. Apparently he is being disloyal to St George as they play a final this weekend. The way the codes all hate each other here, if he also flew to NZ to talk to the Wallabies, he will have effigies burning!

[aucklandlaurie]

boomer
Cheers i was abit suspicious when I heard it as one would have thought that he would have enough on his mind this weekend, even though he and robbie deans do have a lot of regard for each other.

[boomeranga]

They do Laurie. As a Wallaby fan, I think it is a good move to involve those sort of people if and where they can. The rugby pool is relatively shallow for us, but there are very good people working throughout the other codes, particularly rules and league, who could offer some good stuff. Bennett and Leigh Matthews for instance have had plenty of success getting lesser teams up in finals which has relevance at the moment.

[aucklandlaurie]

boomer
Main common denominator one Brad Thorn.

[Gibson]

Could he speak to Kidney then lads?

[Notch]

Gibbo, weather is meant to be atrocious. Part of me wishes we would play negative, ass-backwards Munster rugby. Kidney understands how to win things with that. It's not the future or the present, but the players and coaches understand it. We don't seem to know how to do what we want to do right now.

Anyway, no Trimble? ...was there any mention of that earlier in the thread at all?

[rodders]

Anyway, no Trimble? ...was there any mention of that earlier in the thread at all?

Notch are you serious?! Sin has some stats for you if you are concerned about Earls getting selected ahead of Trimble .

[Notch]

Shhh! Don't invoke his name, or he will appear!

Did you learn feicing nothing from Harry Potter like?

[boomeranga]

Weather forecast for Auckland is wet, gusty wind, 10 degrees.

Bad news for us.

[Gibson]

That's it. Ireland need O'Gara in. He loves the rain. Sexton not so much. He prefers to play rugby. ROG is 66.07% better in the rain than Sexton. The whole rugby World knows that. Well, when I say whole, I mean 93.13% of Munster supporters.

[Goosestepper]

Pocock out - or pre match mind games
http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/union-news/pocock-in-doubt-for-ireland-clash-20110916-1kczp.html

[Artful_Dodger]

Disappointed with Kidney again - Trimble the form player in our backline is once again left out while Earls who has offered little remains.

More than that however given the weather I really think this was a match for O'Gara at 10.

If Pocock is out that's a bonus for Ireland, along with the poor weather, Im starting to feel just a little bit more hopeful now.

[Glas a du]

Trimble out! What's wring with the man!

[Rava]

I don't understand this weather thing!
I peed down last weekend and we were shoite. Made more errors than USA.
In George Hooks words "I never rains in California".
It's a myth that we play better in the rain. Jeasus guys get real. Our backs are so out of sorts we should be praying for a dry ball or give them all a towel tucked into their shorts.

Twitter on BBC website "Australian openside David Pocock sat out training today with a back strain. Will see in the morning if he's fit to play Ireland"

[Mickado]

That's all mind games. I don't buy it.

[Tayto]

That's it. Ireland need O'Gara in. He loves the rain. Sexton not so much. He prefers to play rugby. ROG is 66.07% better in the rain than Sexton. The whole rugby World knows that. Well, when I say whole, I mean 93.13% of Munster supporters.

Well Gibson,

I can't see Sexton getting many more chances to prove himself capable of playing 10 at the highest level can you.?

If you are not up to it then changes have to be made.

DOC,Heaslip,Sexton,Darcy and Earls were very poor v the usa and need to be dropped if they don't up the ante it tomorrow.

[Artful_Dodger]

I don't understand this weather thing!
I peed down last weekend and we were shoite. Made more errors than USA.
In George Hooks words "I never rains in California".
It's a myth that we play better in the rain. Jeasus guys get real. Our backs are so out of sorts we should be praying for a dry ball or give them all a towel tucked into their shorts.

Twitter on BBC website "Australian openside David Pocock sat out training today with a back strain. Will see in the morning if he's fit to play Ireland"

Its nothing to do with how we play, its to do with heavy wind and rain hindering the Aus backline to some extent.

[rodders]

I can't see Sexton getting many more chances to prove himself capable of playing 10 at the highest level can you.?

I'm speechless, I really am.

Anyways back in the real world...don't worry about the weather lads, we're well equipped for a bit of wind and rain, with 2 JCB flankers in Ferris and SOB and Kearney at the back.

Lets face it we'll knock the ball on whatever the conditions so a bit of wet might even things up on that front. Lets face it Australia aren't going to want to play a tight spoiling game like the USA no matter how bad the weather is.

[boomeranga]

I don't understand this weather thing!
I peed down last weekend and we were shoite. Made more errors than USA.
In George Hooks words "I never rains in California".
It's a myth that we play better in the rain. Jeasus guys get real. Our backs are so out of sorts we should be praying for a dry ball or give them all a towel tucked into their shorts.

Twitter on BBC website "Australian openside David Pocock sat out training today with a back strain. Will see in the morning if he's fit to play Ireland"

I think it is no myth for us though. We seem to be shadows in the mud. Throw some water on our blokes and they seem to go all witchiepoo and shrink in size.

I'd guess that the story on Pocock is real as there has been a distinct lack of shenanigans in team selection this year. The story I read was only he was in doubt though, not yet withdrawn.

[rodders]

Twitter on BBC website "Australian openside David Pocock sat out training today with a back strain. Will see in the morning if he's fit to play Ireland"

Well to be fair to Pocock, the prospect of coming up against Stephen Ferris and Sean O'Brien would make my back tighten up a bit too.....

[boomeranga]

Twitter on BBC website "Australian openside David Pocock sat out training today with a back strain. Will see in the morning if he's fit to play Ireland"

Well to be fair to Pocock, the prospect of coming up against Stephen Ferris and Sean O'Brien would make my back door loosen up up a bit too.....

That's disgusting Rodders

[rodders]

Twitter on BBC website "Australian openside David Pocock sat out training today with a back strain. Will see in the morning if he's fit to play Ireland"

Well to be fair to Pocock, the prospect of coming up against Stephen Ferris and Sean O'Brien would make my back door loosen up up a bit too.....

That's disgusting Rodders

Well I didn't want to put it in such crude terms....but yes thats what I was inferring...

[boomeranga]

The weekend has started for us, but feel like I'm killing time until 630 tomorrow night. Very nervous and excited about this game.

[rodders]

boomeranga how do you think your guys well play if the weather conditions are poor? Do you think they might play a tighter game and take us on in the pack?

If do you think you can dominate there? I didn't see the Italy game but I heard you did well up front.

Are there any areas you are concerned about?

[Tayto]

I can't see Sexton getting many more chances to prove himself capable of playing 10 at the highest level can you.?

I'm speechless, I really am.

Anyways back in the real world...don't worry about the weather lads, we're well equipped for a bit of wind and rain, with 2 JCB flankers in Ferris and SOB and Kearney at the back.

Lets face it we'll knock the ball on whatever the conditions so a bit of wet might even things up on that front. Lets face it Australia aren't going to want to play a tight spoiling game like the USA no matter how bad the weather is.

Looks like you are happy with the way Sexton has played in the GREEN jersey then.
Each to their own

[GunsGerms]

As Ioane usually defends at 10 and Quade at 15, anyone know what the back up plan will be here?

Im sure Pocock will play. Hope so anyway, it will be an awesome tussle Pocock v OBrien.

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