Ireland vs New Zealand 2nd Test: Team announcements and matchday thread.

[Biltong]

First topic message reminder :

Sorry boys new thread other one is full.


Venue for the 2nd test: AMI Stadium (Addington) - formerly Rugby League Park Christchurch
Capacity: 26,000 incl. temporary seating
Weather http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/2192362 (current forecast for Saturday evening is around 3 degrees C and light rain. But last week's snow has melted at least)


courtesy of Taylorman:

NZ team named- only one change- Thompson for Vito (injured) with Sam Cane on the bench...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7098902/Thomson-in-for-Vito-Cane-on-All-Blacks-bench

All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Franks, Sam Cane, Ali Williams, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith

Irish team:
15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
5 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
7 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)


Tour Previews
http://www.v2journal.com/new-zealands-june-tests-preview.html
http://www.v2journal.com/irelands-summer-tour.html

[Rory_Gallagher]

So there you go Sin. If you want to go by HEC games, Zebo has scored only one more try than Gilroy this season.

[BoyneRFC]

So there you go Sin. If you want to go by HEC games, Zebo has scored only one more try than Gilroy this season.

Yes but that try represents the top 2 inches.... Keep up Rory !!

[Sin é]

I'm all for rewarding form:

Savea, 7 tries in 11 starts for the Canes this season.
Gilroy, 6 tries in 27 starts for Ulster.
Zebo, 11 tries in 19 starts for Munster
Kearney, 3 tries in 22 starts for Leinster.

How many did Gilroy get in his opening season? Go search that one up, give us peace on the thread for a while.

8 tries in 13 starts (Magners). Why? Rog used be good too You want to reward form, no?

8 tries in 13 starts is brilliant, but of course you point out that it was in the Magners. How many has Zebo scored in the HEC then? Are you seriously trying to make out that Gilroy hasn't been playing well? Really? Shall I point out a few games in particular? Does the semi-final ring a bell? He made Zebo, Jones and Hurley look a bit silly in that game didn't he?

Zebo Heineken Cup - 4 tries in 5 starts. (Gilroy 3 tries in 9 starts)

I'm not saying Gilroy hasn't been playing well. He hasn't being scoring a lot of tries this season.

He made Hurley look silly - who isn't pacy enough (and who you may have noticed isn't in New Zealand either).

[BoyneRFC]

Zebo Heineken Cup - 4 tries in 5 starts. (Gilroy 3 tries in 9 starts)

But that irrelevant because International rugby is a step up from the HEC?

[Mickado]

Exactly my point. Zebo plays well, and gets rewarded. Murray plays well and gets rewarded. Same with O'Mahony. All Munster players. Kidney seems good at handing out debuts to Munster players.

Ah Rory lets not be that way. Seriously comments like this are as bad worse than the nonsense Sin É comes out with.

Kidney is a corrupt barstewart who loves Munster and hates everyone else. Yea course!! Equally we have seen him give Ireland debuts to Sexton, O'Brien, McLaughlin, Toner, Tuohy, Ruddock, Cronin, Ross, Healy, McFadden, Court, Fitzpatrick, McCarthy, Loughney, Henry, Muldoon, Cave etc.

It isn't just Munster boys he looks after FFS. Honest to god I get so downhearted reading these Irish threads sometimes.

Please don't take it as a pop at you directly (just the staw that broke this camels back) but we really really have the worst international fans in the world. We are negative and snipe and bicker between ourselves and we over react in a massive way if our favourite players getting left out.

I watched the Irish get demolished in soccer a few nights ago and the fans were amazing. They all hate the coaches tactics, they feel he is picking the wrong team but they really showed us how its done. When did Ireland last get support like that internationally. I would say nearly 6 years ago when England came to Croke Park. Will we ever really just get behind the team as a united group of supporters. I dont think so.

Rant over. Apologies to those offended.

Stag, with all due respect, that’s a load of my hole.

Scottish fans were the most maudlin bunch from WC to 6nations because their coach picks the wrong players and plays the wrong game. Ireland fans are just as justifiably annoyed at what’s going on with their team, it’s pointed out clear as day and some people take it upon themselves to defend the glaring problems with the sport we love. of course things are going to get heated, go onto a Scottish thread after the 6nations blindly defending AR and you’ll get the same thing.

As for the soccer fans? How many of them are really soccer fans? I know loads of lads gone for the craic, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that but they clearly don’t mind if we get hammered tomorrow, it’s expected at this stage, but they’ll still have their craic regardless. More luck to them, but i’m not in the mood for craic on Saturday morning, I want to see my team play to it’s potential. And they’re playing with their fcking hands tied behind their back.

[Sin é]

Zebo Heineken Cup - 4 tries in 5 starts. (Gilroy 3 tries in 9 starts)

But that irrelevant because International rugby is a step up from the HEC?

I couldn't agree more.

[Sin é]

Some really good blogs on Ireland in New Zealand I'd like to share with you. In the first Murray Kinsella analyses the NZ view of Ireland. It's not flattering. And- all the signs are that this All Blacks team want to speed the game up more, want to get the ball in hand more and Carter is now apparently a 'man on a mission' after missing the later stages of the RWC. Gulp. Well, lets hope for a monsoon eh? That's our best chance now IF you believe the New Zealand hacks.

http://murraykinsella.wordpress.com/2012/06/13/all-blacks-watch-1st-test-reaction/

And the lads at Whiff of Cordite aren;t buying the excuses culture Declan Kidney is building around the team, especially his swipes at the provinces. Well worth a read.

http://whiffofcordite.com/2012/06/12/embattlement/

Check them out

One comment on that last blog I found particularly insightful; Declan Kidney commented that building a team takes time and doesn't happen overnight.

"when Deccie started the job we were 8th in the world rnakings and needing a good autumn series to hold on to our World Cup seeding, and now, four full years later, we’re in exactly the same position."

I just read the WoC blog there. I didn't realise that Kidney had made those comments to be honest. Shocking stuff. Infuriating actually.

But true. Declan Fitzpatrick just finished his 6th season with Ulster where he has started 31 games for them. Thats an average of about 5 games per season. He subbed for 33, so he mustn't have been injured all the time.

And this poor devil is expected to take on the All Blacks.

John Andress turns down both Ulster & Munster when he discovers that the two provinces are going to bring in Afoa and Botha so he isn't going to get enough gametime.

[BoyneRFC]

You must be Kidney's ma or something. Honestly.

[Sin é]

You must be Kidney's ma or something. Honestly.

I hope the players aren't coming up with the same pure excuses for their lack of success as the fans are.
They will never get anywhere if they keep blaming the coach.

[Rory_Gallagher]

I find it ironic that Kidney suggests sacrifices need to be made at the provinces in order for Ireland to succeed (which is nonsense in itself, as he shifts the blame again) yet Ferris and Best were playing more games for Ireland than Ulster this season. The IRFU have a large say on who the provinces can play or can't play. So when Kidney comes out and says that, that really make me angry.

[Ignited]

A golden rule: don't argue with idiots or else they will drag you down to their own level and beat you on experience.

[profitius]

I'm all for rewarding form:

Savea, 7 tries in 11 starts for the Canes this season.
Gilroy, 6 tries in 27 starts for Ulster.
Zebo, 11 tries in 19 starts for Munster
Kearney, 3 tries in 22 starts for Leinster.

Any stats on the amount of blunders Zebo made? Or the amount of passes he recieves per game compared to the others?

[Mickado]

I'm all for rewarding form:

Savea, 7 tries in 11 starts for the Canes this season.
Gilroy, 6 tries in 27 starts for Ulster.
Zebo, 11 tries in 19 starts for Munster
Kearney, 3 tries in 22 starts for Leinster.

Any stats on the amount of blunders Zebo made? Or the amount of passes he recieves per game compared to the others?

You mean stats in context? No, he doesn't have any of them.

[Sin é]

I find it ironic that Kidney suggests sacrifices need to be made at the provinces in order for Ireland to succeed (which is nonsense in itself, as he shifts the blame again) yet Ferris and Best were playing more games for Ireland than Ulster this season. The IRFU have a large say on who the provinces can play or can't play. So when Kidney comes out and says that, that really make me angry.

No he didn't suggest sacrifice. He was complimenting them for doing so well, despite the challenge. Must be your guilty conscience kicking in to come to the conclusion that he suggests sacrifices.

We had two debutants at tight-head, it is a pity that we have to be using the Irish team to give them experience. In fairness, they went out there and gave it their best shot and they will be better for it.

And for the record, Loughney has 33 starts for Connacht in 7 Seasons. He subbed for 43 times (behind Jamie Hagan the last few seasons who is now about 3rd/4th choice TH for the European Champions).

[Sin é]

I'm all for rewarding form:

Savea, 7 tries in 11 starts for the Canes this season.
Gilroy, 6 tries in 27 starts for Ulster.
Zebo, 11 tries in 19 starts for Munster
Kearney, 3 tries in 22 starts for Leinster.

Any stats on the amount of blunders Zebo made? Or the amount of passes he recieves per game compared to the others?

Amazing Zebo got his hands on the ball in the first place considering Munster play 10 man rugby and Ronan O'Gara kicks it away all the time.

edit: not to mention Murray & O'Leary in the mix

edit, edit: and Earls who doesn't pass

[Rory_Gallagher]

"For us to be really focused for this, would have cost in the season earlier on. We would have had to have given up a number of other things. I don’t think the appetite is there for us to give up those other things to prepare for this tour in the way that you would have really, really needed to. That’s fine."

That is the Kidney quote, I think it is pretty clear what he means.

Sin, what the flip am I supposed to be feeling guilty about?

How dare Connacht pick the better IQ player ahead of the guy who isn't as good.. and how dare Ulster have better props than Fitzpatrick. Of course Munster are giving Archer all the chances he needs ahead of Botha. Right?

[Rory_Gallagher]

Amazing Zebo got his hands on the ball in the first place considering Munster play 10 man rugby and Ronan O'Gara kicks it away all the time.

edit: not to mention Murray & O'Leary in the mix

edit, edit: and Earls who doesn't pass

But Sin, the game is faster at international level. Maybe none of these guys can make the step up in that case?

[kiakahaaotearoa]

You guys crack me up. The title is team announcements and matchday thread and already we have a squillion posts on last week's players (notably wingers), the coach and Irish provincial rugby. We may well need another thread to actually address the title.

I'm off to an Irish friend's flat to watch it at his place so it'll mean watching what I say and tempering my aggression, which frankly will please my wife no end as I think she is more than a little afraid of me when the tension rises in an AB match. She was on the other side of the bar for the RWC final last year!

Maybe you can pretend Kidney, Zebo, McFadden et al are on these boards and so you might choose your words more carefully. I sympathise with your frustration. 2009 was not so long ago when we lost 3 - 0 to South Africa. Admittedly, Ireland under Kidney has been going on more longer, admittedly. It doesn't matter what provincial shirt ROG and Sexton wear. Underneath their blood is green. Maybe they should get that checked out. I'm sure they'd both play a lot less anaemic.

[BoyneRFC]

The issue is not the players. It's the coach.

[Rory_Gallagher]

To most people on here, the provincial shirt doesn't matter at all. To Sin e, it does. Also, I wish Kidney was a part of these boards. It would be good for him to see how the irish fans actually feel about his performances! Unless Kidney has been Sin e this whole time..

[Sin é]

"For us to be really focused for this, would have cost in the season earlier on. We would have had to have given up a number of other things. I don’t think the appetite is there for us to give up those other things to prepare for this tour in the way that you would have really, really needed to. That’s fine."


That is the Kidney quote, I think it is pretty clear what he means.

He just said the appetite isn't there to make sacrifices at club level and that is fine.

Sin, what the flip am I supposed to be feeling guilty about?

How dare Connacht pick the better IQ player ahead of the guy who isn't as good.. and how dare Ulster have better props than Fitzpatrick. Of course Munster are giving Archer all the chances he needs ahead of Botha. Right?

You are not meant to be feeling guilty about anything, Rory. But please stop moaning about the international team winning stuff, when he has to field TH props who just about make the bench for the provinces.

Kidney says its fine to field whoever you want (just don't expect 2/3rd choice club players to be international standard props).

Munster are giving Archer adequate starts for Munster considering his age and experience. 8 starts this year and 8 sub appearances.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

SA had P Divvy. England to a large extent had Woodward. (great manager but questionable as a coach) Scotland has AR. There are plenty of unpopular coaches. Sometimes the players can take the law into their own hands. If you don't like the regime, find a way to change it.

[Thomond]

The players don't get al ot of criticism and Deccie does get a lot. The players deserve a fair bit but Deccie deserves a lot more.

[Rory_Gallagher]

You ignored the rest of the quote there, Sin. He says that is fine, but that is why we aren't "focused". Which is complete nonsense.

[Sin é]

To most people on here, the provincial shirt doesn't matter at all. To Sin e, it does. Also, I wish Kidney was a part of these boards. It would be good for him to see how the irish fans actually feel about his performances! Unless Kidney has been Sin e this whole time..

Rory, you need to go back on your meds

[Rory_Gallagher]

If you understood context, you wouldn't have that statement bolded. In the context of the irish team, it isn't an Ulster/Leinster/Munster/Connacht thing. It is just the men in green. But you further prove my point by objecting to that statement.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Sigh. I am fed up of these discussions. I'm out. Well done Sin, you continue to turn everything into a provincial battle and ruin another irish thread.

[kiakahaaotearoa]

Rory it's an Ireland and NZ thread.

Does anyone know when the team announcements will actually happen?

[Sin é]

You ignored the rest of the quote there, Sin. He says that is fine, but that is why we aren't "focused". Which is complete nonsense.

No other country would have so many of their team tied into the business end of the domestic season (which means that none of the key players can be rested and with the world cup, most have had a long, hard season).

And secondly, Kidney has taken the international squad for training periods during the year. He hasn't this season.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Rory it's an Ireland and NZ thread.

Does anyone know when the team announcements will actually happen?

Sorry mate, you are right. I thought it was Munster vs Leinster and the "I hate Sexton" thread.

I should probably make a thread solely for this topic, because it tends to happen every thread Ireland are involved in.

[Taylorman]

NZ team named- only one change- Thompson for Vito (injured) with Same Cane on the bench...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/7098902/Thomson-in-for-Vito-Cane-on-All-Blacks-bench

All Blacks: Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Conrad Smith, Sonny Bill Williams, Julian Savea, Dan Carter, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (c), Adam Thomson, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Reserves: Hika Elliot, Ben Franks, Sam Cane, Ali Williams, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith

Talk of Nonu replacing SBW (Dagg twitter) turns out to be a red herring thank goodness. SBW's line of attack and options need to be fully developed to realise the potential it has during this series.

Between Aaron Smith and SBW's midfield surges the AB's have huge opportunities here and this will only get stronger. For me the field suddenly feels about 20 meters wider....<droooool>

Nonu needs the break and needs to take in where this team is heading, recuperate and refocus if he wants to hang around. Its getting to a point where that may be a bit too much given SBW's youth and potential.

In saying that, they CANNOT assume an uninspired Irish team who although are having a low key approach, have now to face up to the reality of being here after test 1 and should dig as deep into their personal reserves as theyve ever done before.

This is one of those tests where we expect more but usually get less.

[LeinsterFan4life]

NZ have nothing to worrie about...

[emack2]

Expectations by ALL the NH sides were that the SH sides with short preparation time would be rusty .They were at first BUT the NH sides needed a good half time lead before the rust wore off.NONE of the NH sides got it had ireland about a 20 point lead at half time we would have seen another match.The AllBlacks but for an enforced change have named the same side.I want to see Ireland really come out firing and push the AllBlacks in the next two tests.So that IF they
win the series 3-0 they will have a more or less settled side for the 4Ns.SBW playing is fine BUT the fact he maybe of some where else next year for Cash worries me.

[aucklandlaurie]

Morning Folks
when I come on 606 in the mornings I can always tell where the Irish guys have beeen overnight, Its the thread followed by a whole lot of page numbers, that looks like a New York stock exchange spreadsheet.

When I look at the AB team it does make a lot of sense, McCaw and Reid cover Number 8 and in turn Thompson, McCaw,Cane cover the two flanker positions.

[The Great Aukster]

when I come on 606 in the mornings I can always tell where the Irish guys have beeen overnight, Its the thread followed by a whole lot of page numbers, that looks like a New York stock exchange spreadsheet

... pity rugby isn't decided by number of words.

[profitius]

Kearney
McFadden
BOD
D'Arcy
Trimble
Sexton
Murray
Heaslip
SOB
McLaughlin
Ryan
Tuohy
Ross
Best
Healy

-subs, Cronin, Fitzpatrick, O'Callaghan, O'Mahony, Reddan, O'Gara, Zebo

[nganboy]

Can I just say that the Kiwis are not saying Savea is the best winger in the world?

[Gibson]

Im Sleepless in Hamsterjam. Had few hours kip and just woke up.

Irish team has 10 Leinster players in it. Should be 11/12. Anyway... Who's the one key player missing, to complete the jigsaw? The one to make the rest Rock and to even reduce the score differential from last week? Let's be honest here, the Keewees will be even stronger than last weekend. We just need to give them a wee reminder, after last week's debacle, that we are not as far away from them as that.

Answer = Reddan.

I hope you got it right SIN. Its an improved Munster man(is that really possible?). Just like you - living, working and developing, in aul Dubh Linn.

I predicted, that there would be 10/11 Leinster players, starting for the Irish team - within 2/3 years. 3 years ago, on BBC 606.

Oh how I was ridiculed. Oh how they laffed. Are they laffing now? #suckittup.com

Ye know who ye are. I.E every single Paddy on here - Munster, Leinster & Ulstuur posters...
This is the Keewees man. Pseudo World Champions. Fresh and gagging for it. In their House. Not a friendly

We'll still get stuffed. But not by as much. We're knackerred from picking up European silverware.


DO NOT DISCUSS. IT'S FACT. END OF.

That is all.

X.
Gibbo.

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
5 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
7 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)

[Pete C (Kiwireddevil)]

Teams and weather info are in the OP. It's going to be cold & wet.

[Pete330v2]

No Reddan no win.
Add that to playing Trimble playing out of position to facilitate a centre who really isn't best played on the wing and I ask you, is Kidney truely that gormless and blind?

[clivemcl]

Zebo Heineken Cup - 4 tries in 5 starts. (Gilroy 3 tries in 9 starts)

I'm not saying Gilroy hasn't been playing well. He hasn't being scoring a lot of tries this season.

He made Hurley look silly - who isn't pacy enough (and who you may have noticed isn't in New Zealand either).

Not the try scoring thing again! Can I put this really simply...

If players with numbers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 12 13 15 are scoring tries (or kicking points), then players 11 and 14 will be scoring less tries. You cannot isolate two wingers from completely different sides and compare their try scoring as if they were provided with the same chances, the same amount of ball, playing the same gameplan.

Tries are not an adequate representation of a wingers talent and you know it!

[clivemcl]

Im Sleepless in Hamsterjam. Had few hours kip and just woke up.

Irish team has 10 Leinster players in it. Should be 11/12. Anyway... Who's the one key player missing, to complete the jigsaw? The one to make the rest Rock and to even reduce the score from last week? Let's be honest here, the Keewees will be even stronger than last week. We just need to give them a wee reminder, after last week's debacle.

Answer = Reddan.

I hope you got it right SIN. Its an improved Munster man(is that really possible?). Just unlike you - living, working and developing, in aul Dubh Linn.

I predicted, that there would be 10/11 Leinster players, starting for the Irish team - within 2/3 years. 3 years ago, on BBC 606.

Oh how I was ridiculed. Oh how they laffed. Are they laffing now? #suckittup.com

Ye know who ye are. I.E every single Paddy on here - Munster, Leinster & Ulstuur posters...
This is the Keewees man. Pseudo World Champions. Fresh and gagging for it. In their House. Not a friendly

We'll still get stuffed. But not by as much. We're knackerred from picking up European silverware.

If this was the start and not the end, of OUR(Leinster) long hard season - we'd ave em! And the Noordie and Southeren culchies have to be represented. Apparently.
It's negative diplomacy at work. Ah well. If only Leo was here. Make that 13. Got to have a token Orangeman and a Bogger. Stands to reason, in all fairness.


DO NOT DISCUSS. IT'S FACT. END OF.

That is all.

X.
Gibbo.

15 - Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster)
14 - Fergus McFadden (Old Belvedere/Leinster)
13 - Brian O'Driscoll (UCD/Leinster) (capt)
12 - Gordon D'Arcy (Lansdowne/Leinster)
11 - Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster)
10 - Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
9 - Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster)
1 - Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster
2 - Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster)
3 - Mike Ross (Clontarf/Leinster)
4 - Dan Tuohy (Ballymena/Ulster)
5 - Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster)
6 - Kevin McLaughlin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
7 - Sean O'Brien (Clontarf/Leinster)
8 - Jamie Heaslip (Naas/Leinster)

Replacements:

16 - Sean Cronin (St. Mary's College/Leinster)
17 - Declan Fitzpatrick (Dungannon/Ulster)
18 - Donncha O'Callaghan (Cork Constitution/Munster)
19 - Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster)
20 - Eoin Reddan (Lansdowne/Leinster)
21 - Ronan O'Gara (Cork Constitution/Munster)
22 - Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster)

Gibbo, thats enough with the 'Leinster lads are tired' excuses. If our predominantly Leinster team does not do well it means one of three things.

a) Leinster rely on Nacewa / Thorn / Strauss more than you'd like to admit
b) The players from other teams are so crap that we distract the leinster lads
or c) Declan Kidney is a SH1T coach who can't get a group of players to do what another coach got them to do all season

[Gibson]

Ah Clive... I deleted that provincial racist bit since. Twas just a bit of craic. Dont take life or sport too seriously.

Its only a game.

And this thread was looping.

I hope that loop is broken now... Although I doubt that will be the case Later Ron...

Believe.

P.S I went for option b). Its the only thing that makes sense. And oh yeah, the coaching team, may have something to do it as well. Maybe.

[clivemcl]

ha, Gibson, i wasnt actually taking it thick, more like continuing the ridiculous.

by the way I was hinting at option c) rather than having a go at Leinsters players!

[Pete330v2]

Oh I see people are arguing over the 'he scored more tries therefore he's a better winger' one again. It's a bit of a mindless arguement to make when you look at the like of Fionn Carr who was the Pro12's top scorer 2 seasons back but as a winger at the time I certainly wouldn't have wanted him playing for Ireland. Mainly because I always thought he was Tom Kite.
So drop the statistics and come up with the real reason you think someone is a better winger etc.

[Gibson]

ha, Gibson, i wasnt actually taking it thick, more like continuing the ridiculous.

by the way I was hinting at option c) rather than having a go at Leinsters players!

Cool man.

TBH, we miss 1F and T Bowe badly. And POC. No sheet. We cant afford to be without them. That much was obvious last weekend.

[clivemcl]

ha, Gibson, i wasnt actually taking it thick, more like continuing the ridiculous.

by the way I was hinting at option c) rather than having a go at Leinsters players!

Cool man.

TBH, we miss 1F and T Bowe badly. And POC. No sheet. We cant afford to be without them. That much was obvious last weekend.

i do agree, but it annoys me that we cant still be clinical without them. Take three core players out of NZ, Aus, SA, France, England, even maybe Wales, and they dont have a huge drop in ability. Theres still enough talent there to be doing a LOT better.

[Sin é]

No Reddan no win.
Add that to playing Trimble playing out of position to facilitate a centre who really isn't best played on the wing and I ask you, is Kidney truely that gormless and blind?

Getting the excuses in early I see

Clearly Kidney is far too decent a coach to throw Reddan to the lions and will take the criticism himself.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Christ.

Darcy in there isn't a good move.
Can't believe he has persisted with Murray unless Darcy and Trimble have put on about 10kg in muscle since last I saw them then we are in trouble
Glad Ross is in and Fitzpatrick is on the bench.
McL is a good call.

Who is covering fullback so???????????? Zebo??? McFadden????

Christ Kidney!

Can someone take his goose out of the oven? It's burning!

[Gibson]

ha, Gibson, i wasnt actually taking it thick, more like continuing the ridiculous.

by the way I was hinting at option c) rather than having a go at Leinsters players!

Cool man.

TBH, we miss 1F and T Bowe badly. And POC. No sheet. We cant afford to be without them. That much was obvious last weekend.

i do agree, but it annoys me that we cant still be clinical without them. Take three core players out of NZ, Aus, SA, France, England, even maybe Wales, and they dont have a huge drop in ability. Theres still enough talent there to be doing a LOT better.

+1

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