My Questions About Ireland

nganboy wrote:I can't understand how some people can think the HC is about the same level as internationals. Or if, as someone suggested, it is the same level as some 6Ns games, that it is about the same level as internationals vs NZ.

Spoiler:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Lucky you. Work has me in its clutches for the next 2 hours! Disaster!

Kia if you were coaching Ireland what would be the three things you'd change be it selection, gameplan, tactics whatever?

Thomond wrote:I don't run the weights one of the other lads does. He would put me to shame and he is nearly twice my age!


Obviously every session starts with warming up, so stretching, then squats a few press ups, lunges, squat jumps etc. Depending on the time in the season or if there was match at the weekend it varies (i.e. after a tough match, probably won't go sprinting or do speed work). Do a bit of ball work with around 4/5 people on each corner running in a diagonal
like so:

Spoiler:

If the ball is dropped 5 times when we do that there is press-ups "star jumps", "crab crawl" or sit ups. Truck and Trailer is another exercise in that. Most of these would be difficult ot explain but easy to do. It's a bit different to this but similar enough idea: http://www.sportplan.net/drills/Rugby/Agility-Running-Skills/Truck-and-Trailer-r602109.jsp


Then backs/forwards split up. Forwards work on lineouts/scrums for 15 minutes. The forwards then split up. Hookers work on throwing, usually with me. We also do a bit of spped work with ladders. Second rows do some jumping technique and also work on rucking. Backrow work on sealing off legally, pilfering opposition ball and a few other things. All forwards do a bit of, I suppose "forward play". Two teams square up about ten m away from the try line. One side is not allowed lay hands on the ball. They win if they can keep the opposing team out or counterruck successfully.


I'm not too involved with the backs but they spend about 15 minutes working on their moves. Outhalfs do some place kicking and fielding kicks with the full backs. Scrum halfs do box kicks with the wingers. They play a bit of touch rugby at times, help to recognise and exploit gaps.


At the end a run through is done with backs and forwards. Might start with a lineout and then some moves against other members of the team/coaches. It is largely full on with tackling a requirement, rucking also important. That's done for a good while with players who are on the defence swapping with the offense and vice-versa. That's how the week's sessions would largely go. Time varies each session and of course there is some tag/touch in there at times with sprinting/circuits too.

Thomond wrote:As I said, it varies a bit. Ball handlign could go on for 15 minutes some days. There are a few more drills that are runf it that's down. It depends how the first set of ball handlign is down really. If they have no drops in 5 minutes of different exercises then it is usually packed in.


In the forwards, props are our biggest problem. Dave Ryan was up at the club last month and gave 3 sessions to the young props/hookers. The changes he was saying were amazing in such a short space of time. It's technique where we can improve their, the emphasis on scrummaging is far greater in other countries. Core work is important, and that is a big part of the gym work and offseason. About once a week from July, there was circuit training and it did help when we got into the more serious stuff in August/September. I wouldn't necessarily agree about the weights but I look at developing strength other ways. That's just my view. I know some guys who are poor on the bench but are quite strong, it's not the only measure of strength.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:On the match tomorrow lads, any predictions on the score front? I'm feeling like a right negative so-and-so and have said 61-18. I feel dirty just typing that.

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
I think circuit training is the way to go tbh because it builds strength and endurance which is key. It's great having Ross but the lad is gonzo after 70mins a lot of the time and you seem him being passed out by some backs far too easily, obvious they will be faster but at times he can't even cover his zone he is so knackered.

I agree re: the weights thing. There are lads who are naturally strong but don't spend much time in the gym. Chabal was one IMO.

Athletes like Chabal do incredibly high intensity, short duration training. There is little cardiovascular training such as cycling or running. Instead, the focus is on very heavy weight lifting, no more than eight repetitions at a time. As for the running, 10-second sprints, repeated a dozen times, is the extent of it for Chabal. He has geared all his training towards high-impact, explosive rugby. It would be almost self-defeating for Chabal to attempt to increase his endurance by doing longer running or cycling training, because the energy demand of doing these activities would compromise his ability to remain what is called ‘anabolic’ – in a state of growth.

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:Squat and milk you say? I think I used to go out with a girl who did did that to me

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Lucky you. Work has me in its clutches for the next 2 hours! Disaster!

Kia if you were coaching Ireland what would be the three things you'd change be it selection, gameplan, tactics whatever?

I think it's unfortunate that Ireland are missing a few key men that shouldn't be underestimated in what they do to the side. Players like Ferris, Bowe and POC not only add steel and experience to the squad but they provide more options with attack. I think the general consensus was the pack played well last week and got found out in the backs. But I'd like to see Ireland attack more up the guts of the AB defence and test them more round the fringes and suck in more defenders and then send the ball back to give Sexton more time. Then he can place those tactical kicks better like the cross field kicks testing the new and inexperienced AB wingers.

Whilst I respect the individual players the Irish backrow have, I'm not convinced at their effectiveness as a back row unit. You must have quick service at halfback as well so find someone who can get you quick ball. We have had some donkeys for the ABs in recent times but Carter has balanced that out.

I think Ireland got the tactics right this week on the whole. Not helter skelter release the ball out to the backs but tying up AB defenders round the fringes and taking the ball up the hard way. Ireland had very few chances at testing the NZ line so making the best use of Sexton's boot was the right way to go about scoring.

So no real wholesale changes but a different approach on attack. Too often I thought Ireland spread the ball too wide last weekend without trying to punch their way up the middle and break the AB line. You can attack with depth but unless you've committed defenders elsewhere, this AB defence is too composed to break that easily.