Ireland vs South Africa pre-match talk and squad announcements.

First topic message reminder :

The much anticipated Autumn Iinternationals has arrived and South Africa will begin their three test tour against Ireland on Saturday at Landsdowne road. With a record of only one win in their last four test matches and 3 straight losses between 2004 and 2009, the Springboks would like to continue their resurgence against Ireland and emulate their two point victory of 2010.

But will they be up for an Ireland team who have been just about as disappointing as the Springboks were in 2012.

Ireland who boast wins over Scotland and Italy and a Hard earned draw over France at Stade de France earlier in the year has a disappointing return of 5 losses, 2 wins and 1 draw for the year.

South Africa has not fared much better, with 4 wins, 3 losses and 2 draws for the year.

Both teams will rue lost opportunities during the year where execution and specifically goal kicking have haunted the Springboks in Particular. Their goal kickin records stands at a miserly 55% for the year and will lose you more tests than win.

Ireland will be without their inspirational captain Brian O'Driscoll and South Africa after a long season will bewithout the services of Arguably the best Hooker in world rugby Bismarck du Plessis, the athletic Andries Bekker, talisman Schalk Burger, Pierre Spies, Heinrich Brussow, Johan Goosen, Bryan Habana (yeah I know I am complaining a bit much here), Frans Steyn and Coenie Oosthuizen.

Will this end of season tour be a bridge too far for an injury riddled South African squad or will they be able to overcome an Irish team who hasn't convinced this year.

Likely SA matchday 22.

1. Beast Mtwarira
2. Adriaan Strauss
3. Jannie du Plessis
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Juandre Kruger (Marco Wentzel)
6. Francois Louw
7. Willem Alberts
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Ruan Pienaar
10. Patrick Lambie
11. Francois Hougaard
12. Jean de Villiers
13. Jaco Taute
14. JP Pietersen
15. Zane Kirchner

Bench
16. Gurthro Steenkamp
17. Schalk Brits
18. Pat Cilliers
19. Flip v d Merwe
20. Marcelle Coetzee
21. Franco v d Merwe
22. Jan Vermaak
23. Morne Steyn

I'll update if someone provides me a likely Irish matchday 22.

All tackles are not equal and sometimes quality is better than quantity......

Rougerie ran him over too didn't he? I don't think hes a bad defender though I just don't think he's a top notch defender either.

Sin é wrote:Earls defence is fine. D'Arcy's defence is way better than any other 12 available to Ireland.

Of their last couple of games playing in the centre this is how it has worked out.

Tackles made/tackles missed

D'Arcy 21/4
BOD 24/5
Earls 26/3

They are all much of a muchness when it comes to defence.

The Old stats don't tell you where the tackle was made.

It's all well and good not missing any tackles, but not so much if it frequently takes 20 metres clinging onto them past the gain line to complete the tackle

"Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." (Aaron Levenstein)

Chris Henry seems likely to be selected anyway, judging by these pictures.

http://www.irishrugby.ie/guinnessseries/27657.php

Notch wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Has Zebo played at 15 before? Or was that a joke?

No he hasn't. And it's not a joke.

This is where we are right now.

Damn. Not good. Surely Earls is better positionally and under the high ball at 15.

Sin é wrote:Earls defence is fine. D'Arcy's defence is way better than any other 12 available to Ireland.

Of their last couple of games playing in the centre this is how it has worked out.

Tackles made/tackles missed

D'Arcy 21/4
BOD 24/5
Earls 26/3

They are all much of a muchness when it comes to defence.

Unfortunately that is not the only aspect of defence that should be measured, those only show when the player was in position to tackle and attmepted to tackle, the more difficult aspect is, positional play (ie. is the player in position to defend) organisational defence (can the player organise his mates around him and communicate his lines) and lastly discipline in defence (ie. does the players break the line by shooting out, does he stick to his man etc.)

Anyone wanna buy two tickets for this? Face value €65 each.

GunsGerms wrote:Anyone wanna buy two tickets for this? Face value €65 each.

I'll take them, but are the airfare from JHB to dublin included?

I would also need accommodation.

I can provide accommodation but not flights sorry. Can't guarantee a win for the Boks either though their odds are shortening considerably.

It's Ok, I'll watch on the LCD Tv, I hate flying anyway.

Biltong wrote:

Sin é wrote:Earls defence is fine. D'Arcy's defence is way better than any other 12 available to Ireland.

Of their last couple of games playing in the centre this is how it has worked out.

Tackles made/tackles missed

D'Arcy 21/4
BOD 24/5
Earls 26/3

They are all much of a muchness when it comes to defence.

Unfortunately that is not the only aspect of defence that should be measured, those only show when the player was in position to tackle and attmepted to tackle, the more difficult aspect is, positional play (ie. is the player in position to defend) organisational defence (can the player organise his mates around him and communicate his lines) and lastly discipline in defence (ie. does the players break the line by shooting out, does he stick to his man etc.)

Biltong

Also:

1: Was the tackle made and complete on, ahead of or behind the advantage line?
2: Was an offload prevented?
3: Was it an individual tackle or was it aided by a team mate?
4: When the tackle was completed did the tackler compete for the ball?

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:

Biltong wrote:

Sin é wrote:Earls defence is fine. D'Arcy's defence is way better than any other 12 available to Ireland.

Of their last couple of games playing in the centre this is how it has worked out.

Tackles made/tackles missed

D'Arcy 21/4
BOD 24/5
Earls 26/3

They are all much of a muchness when it comes to defence.

Unfortunately that is not the only aspect of defence that should be measured, those only show when the player was in position to tackle and attmepted to tackle, the more difficult aspect is, positional play (ie. is the player in position to defend) organisational defence (can the player organise his mates around him and communicate his lines) and lastly discipline in defence (ie. does the players break the line by shooting out, does he stick to his man etc.)

Biltong

Also:

1: Was the tackle made and complete on, ahead of or behind the advantage line?
2: Was an offload prevented?
3: Was it an individual tackle or was it aided by a team mate?
4: When the tackle was completed did the tackler compete for the ball?

Absolutely, you might be interested in this website. I am not sre if they cover all tests, but their stats show exactly some of what you are talking about.

They call it effective tackles, ineefective tackles, tackle assists etc.

Rugby Stats.

phew good site but what a job for some poor bloke watching a match to compile the stats but not able to actually enjoy the game!!

I reckon they watch a recorded game after OZT.

I have seen the basic stats such as kicks and scores go up quickly, but the more complicated stats take a few day to compile.

The Springboks have gone for continuity in selection as Pat Lambie was named to start at flyhalf when the team faces Ireland on Saturday in the opening Test of the Castle Outgoing Tour at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin.
The 22-year-old Lambie’s inclusion at pivot in the place of the injured Johan Goosen is one of only three changes to the team that started in the Springboks’ last Test, against New Zealand in Soweto last month. The other two are also forced by injury.

JP Pietersen returns at right wing while Juandré Kruger takes over at lock, respectively for Bryan Habana and Andries Bekker, who were both ruled out of the tour because of injury.

“I’m excited to see what Pat can bring to the team,” said Springbok coach Heyneke Meyer.

“He played very well in the last few weeks of the Absa Currie Cup and hopefully he can bring that momentum with him on Saturday.

“It’s also good to have JP back. He’s had a great season and will want to finish the season on a high. At lock, there has been strong competition for the No 5 jersey all season and now Juandré gets an opportunity again.”

For the first time, the Springboks have named an eight-man replacement bench, in line with the new laws that determine a full front row of two specialist props and a hooker have to be selected.

Returning to Springbok duty for the first time since 2008 is Schalk Brits, who will start on the bench next to CJ van der Linde and Pat Cilliers. Should Brits make an appearance, it will be his first Test for South Africa since 2008 while Van der Linde has not appeared for the team since the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

“Schalk is an explosive player who can bring something special off the bench,” said Meyer. “CJ is very experienced and knows the conditions here quite well, as he played for Leinster for two seasons,” said Meyer.

Meyer said the match would be a major Test in trying conditions for his young team. A temperature of around five degrees is forecast for Saturday afternoon, while winds and a 25% chance of showers are also predicted.

“I’ve said from the outset that I’d like to see which of the players can handle the Northern Hemisphere conditions on this tour, as it will be the same for the Rugby World Cup in 2015,” said Meyer.

“We’ll be facing an Ireland team that is never an easy opponent in Dublin. The Springboks have only won one of their last four Tests here and since they lost at Aviva Stadium against South Africa in November 2010, they have recorded a number of good victories at their home ground.

“They will also be desperate to get back to winning ways after winning two of their eight Tests this season, which, to my mind, is not a true reflection of how good the Irish really are. But we’re in a similar situation and would like to start this tour on a positive note.”

Furthermore, Meyer confirmed today that Leinster prop Heinke van der Merwe has been called up to the Springbok squad for the duration of the tour. He played in his only Test for South Africa against Wales in November 2007, and he toured with the Springboks at the end of the 2009 season.

Gurthrö Steenkamp, who joined the squad on Tuesday evening, is struggling with a light niggle. Van der Merwe’s call-up provides extra cover at loosehead prop.

“Heinke has played for South Africa before and is based in Dublin, making it easy for him to join the squad. I’ve been following his career and he has been playing well for Leinster, who are the Heineken Cup champions,” said Meyer.

The Springbok team to face Ireland in Dublin is:

15. Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 21caps
14. JP Pietersen (The Sharks) 45 caps
13. Jaco Taute (MTN Golden Lions) 2 caps
12.Jean de Villiers (captain) DHL Western Province 81 caps
11. Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 24 caps
10. Pat Lambie (The Sharks) 17 caps
9. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N-Ireland) 60 caps
8. Duane Vermeulen (DHL Western Province) 4 caps
7. Willem Alberts (The Sharks) 17 caps
6. Francois Louw (Bath, England) 14 caps
5. Juandré Kruger (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 5 caps
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province) 8 caps
3. Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks) 39 caps
2. Adriaan Strauss (vice-captain, Toyota FS Cheetahs) 18 caps
1. Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks) 41 caps

Replacements

16. Schalk Brits (Saracens, England) 3 caps
17. CJ van der Linde (MTN Golden Lions) 73 caps
18. Pat Cilliers (MTN Golden Lions) 4 caps
19. Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 20 caps
20. Marcell Coetzee (The Sharks) 9 caps
21. Morné Steyn (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 41 caps
22. Juan de Jongh (DHL Western Province) 12 caps
23. Lwazi Mvovo (The Sharks) 7 caps

Oh that makes sense, obvious!! Cheers biltong

Biltong wrote:

Sin é wrote:Earls defence is fine. D'Arcy's defence is way better than any other 12 available to Ireland.

Of their last couple of games playing in the centre this is how it has worked out.

Tackles made/tackles missed

D'Arcy 21/4
BOD 24/5
Earls 26/3

They are all much of a muchness when it comes to defence.

Unfortunately that is not the only aspect of defence that should be measured, those only show when the player was in position to tackle and attmepted to tackle, the more difficult aspect is, positional play (ie. is the player in position to defend) organisational defence (can the player organise his mates around him and communicate his lines) and lastly discipline in defence (ie. does the players break the line by shooting out, does he stick to his man etc.)

He seems to be making as many tackles as his centre partners (more in fact). BOD is regarded as proably the best defensive centre in the world and his stats are not far off his.

Comparing him to other outside centres:

Manu Tualagi made 14/1 (v. Ireland 2/0; v France 4/0; v. Wales 8/1).
Earls made 28/4 (v Italy 6/1; v France 8/1; v Scotland 11/2; v england 3/0).

Earls missed the first game against Wales (daughter's illness) and Ireland conceeded 3 tries.
For the other games Ireland conceeded 4 tries (1 per game) (excluding the England penalty try).

He is a good tackler - and I've never seen him get dragged.

Biltong wrote:

The Springbok team to face Ireland in Dublin is:

15. Zane Kirchner (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 21caps
14. JP Pietersen (The Sharks) 45 caps
13. Jaco Taute (MTN Golden Lions) 2 caps
12.Jean de Villiers (captain) DHL Western Province 81 caps
11. Francois Hougaard (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 24 caps
10. Pat Lambie (The Sharks) 17 caps
9. Ruan Pienaar (Ulster, N-Ireland) 60 caps
8. Duane Vermeulen (DHL Western Province) 4 caps
7. Willem Alberts (The Sharks) 17 caps
6. Francois Louw (Bath, England) 14 caps
5. Juandré Kruger (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 5 caps
4. Eben Etzebeth (DHL Western Province) 8 caps
3. Jannie du Plessis (The Sharks) 39 caps
2. Adriaan Strauss (vice-captain, Toyota FS Cheetahs) 18 caps
1. Tendai Mtawarira (The Sharks) 41 caps

Replacements

16. Schalk Brits (Saracens, England) 3 caps
17. CJ van der Linde (MTN Golden Lions) 73 caps
18. Pat Cilliers (MTN Golden Lions) 4 caps
19. Flip van der Merwe (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 20 caps
20. Marcell Coetzee (The Sharks) 9 caps
21. Morné Steyn (Vodacom Blue Bulls) 41 caps
22. Juan de Jongh (DHL Western Province) 12 caps
23. Lwazi Mvovo (The Sharks) 7 caps

How do you feel about that team,there is a lack of experience at 8 and 10,Pienaar will be required to provide a lot of leadership I presume?

Well apart from the two props, that is not an experienced forward pack.

you have 66 caps between 6 of the players, with three players making their debut this year and Strauss being called back from the wilderness.

But there simply aren't better players avaiable due to injury.

I am happy to see Lambie at 10, hopefully he will make the plays and control the game.

Louw, Alberts and Vermeulen lacks experience, but they showed how good they work as a combination against the all Blacks and Aussies in the last number of tests.

Shame about all the winger injuries Biltong as not convinced about Taute yet at test level (future replacement of Kirchner rather than at OC perhaps) but JP Pietersen is wasted out there. I think Meyer has made the right choice to plug that gap but if Habana were in the side I wonder if Meyer would've tried the OC combination with JDV. At least JDV would've had someone experienced outside him and might have brought out the best in him (ie passing the rucking ball) and with BOD out and a shaky OC cover for Ireland, I think JP would've wreaked havoc there.

There's not much experience in the pack but they showed in the 4N they can more than hold their own and I'm not just talking about the locks in a scrum.

It's not the ideal test XV but it's still formidable. Ireland seems more makeshift in certain areas.

Anyone know the forecast. It's miserable in Madrid this weekend so you never know it might be sunny in Dublin!

The weather is expected to be about 5 degrees celcius with 25% chance of showers.

Cheers mate. Unseasonably balmy weather. Most of the Boks will feel at home. Actually think that works against Ireland too. Rain is a great leveller but no more so out wide. Ireland has a lot of inexperience in the back 3 and centre partnerships potentially and that doesn't bode well for them if it's a hard ground.

Lambie is a class act (and I'm still incredibly sad that he didn't want to play for the country of his mum and grandparents) so don't worry about him. This is exactly the nature and quality of test he needs.

Seth Efrika don't have such a thing as weak packs, just less bonkers strong ones, and this is no exception. Front row is two thirds of their first choice, so parity will be good for Healy and Co. 4-8 could be fair or very tough depending on how everyone is playing.

Beatable though, you have to say.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Shame about all the winger injuries Biltong as not convinced about Taute yet at test level (future replacement of Kirchner rather than at OC perhaps) but JP Pietersen is wasted out there. I think Meyer has made the right choice to plug that gap but if Habana were in the side I wonder if Meyer would've tried the OC combination with JDV. At least JDV would've had someone experienced outside him and might have brought out the best in him (ie passing the rucking ball) and with BOD out and a shaky OC cover for Ireland, I think JP would've wreaked havoc there.

There's not much experience in the pack but they showed in the 4N they can more than hold their own and I'm not just talking about the locks in a scrum.

It's not the ideal test XV but it's still formidable. Ireland seems more makeshift in certain areas.

Anyone know the forecast. It's miserable in Madrid this weekend so you never know it might be sunny in Dublin!

Kia Meyer has said Taute is his man at 15 for the future, he also was planning to play JP at 13, but due to Habana being injred, he didn't want his back three without both Habana and JP.

So for now Taute will play 13, until Habana is back.

Cheers Biltong. Good to hear the man has seen common sense and Lambie is at 10 and that was his original thinking. It's comforting to know your coach is on the same page with the majority of fans (the ones with common sense at least) and even though he started off the season shakily, he has been a big enough man to concede he was wrong (though he never publically admitted it but hey we can'thave everything) and openend himself up to criticism and took it on board instead of digging in the trenches and stubbornly persisitng with madness like others before him. I think those positional changes have been forced upon him but he is moving SA in the right direction now in this transitional period. Fair play to the man. Kidney it seems doesn't have that level of support it seems.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Cheers Biltong. Good to hear the man has seen common sense and Lambie is at 10 and that was his original thinking. It's comforting to know your coach is on the same page with the majority of fans (the ones with common sense at least) and even though he started off the season shakily, he has been a big enough man to concede he was wrong (though he never publically admitted it but hey we can'thave everything) and openend himself up to criticism and took it on board instead of digging in the trenches and stubbornly persisitng with madness like others before him. I think those positional changes have been forced upon him but he is moving SA in the right direction now in this transitional period. Fair play to the man. Kidney it seems doesn't have that level of support it seems.

Kidney never did this that's why he has lost the support of the fans.

That's my observation, hence the last sentence of my post. His Munster in years gone by style of play is similar to Meyer's retro view of the Bulls. One has persistently and stubbonrly committed himself to that style and the other... is Meyer.

David Skrela will keep us balanced.

SecretFly wrote:David Skrela will keep us balanced.

I saw that this morning. A bit disrespectful but sure, some motivation for Trimble.

I seem to remember Trimbles best game for Ireland (Denis Leamy’s too) was against SA in 2006, a good few years now but I still remember David Marty ripping Ireland a new one back in 06, and he’s not still making the French starting XV.

When is the Ireland team being named?

Only on Thursday afternoon.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Kidney never did this that's why he has lost the support of the fans.

Thats not true. Since the Autumn Internationals in 2010, Kidney has recognised the need for Ireland to implement a new style of play to move with the rugby zeitgeist.

The problem has been the inability of the coaching staff to implement that. They know the question, they can't provide an answer. We were successful in 2009 because we had a coherent gameplan everyone understood and bought into; complete confidence in the system. But when Kidney had to evolve that gameplan... thats when it became obvious that he didn't have the tactical acumen for the job. Sometimes in the Kidney era he can get us fired up to go out and play with an intensity that alarms teams, that has brought us scalps and good one-off performances. But he can't devise a gameplan that will consistently deliver high quality performances.

Notch wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Kidney never did this that's why he has lost the support of the fans.

Thats not true. Since the Autumn Internationals in 2010, Kidney has recognised the need for Ireland to implement a new style of play to move with the rugby zeitgeist.

The problem has been the inability of the coaching staff to implement that. They know the question, they can't provide an answer. We were successful in 2009 because we had a coherent gameplan everyone understood and bought into; complete confidence in the system. But when Kidney had to evolve that gameplan... thats when it became obvious that he didn't have the tactical acumen for the job. Sometimes in the Kidney era he can get us fired up to go out and play with an intensity that alarms teams, that has brought us scalps and good one-off performances. But he can't devise a gameplan that will consistently deliver high quality performances.

Yeah,I'll go along with most of that.However I think he has abandoned the new gameplan and returned to one that is based on the up n under as the main attacking weapon.The home defeat agaionst Scotland was the last time we played truly expansive rugby,it was poorly executed and the players seemed to stick to going wide too often but I don't think we've really tried to play like that since.
Even the good performance since then like England in 2011 and Oz at the WC were founded much more on big performances from our pack.

Notch wrote:

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Kidney never did this that's why he has lost the support of the fans.

Thats not true. Since the Autumn Internationals in 2010, Kidney has recognised the need for Ireland to implement a new style of play to move with the rugby zeitgeist.

The problem has been the inability of the coaching staff to implement that. They know the question, they can't provide an answer. We were successful in 2009 because we had a coherent gameplan everyone understood and bought into; complete confidence in the system. But when Kidney had to evolve that gameplan... thats when it became obvious that he didn't have the tactical acumen for the job. Sometimes in the Kidney era he can get us fired up to go out and play with an intensity that alarms teams, that has brought us scalps and good one-off performances. But he can't devise a gameplan that will consistently deliver high quality performances.

According to Wayne Smith, Ireland don't have the personnel now that BOD & POC are on their last legs.

Ireland
Declan Kidney had been able to transfer the drive and passion of Leinster, Munster and even Ulster into the national team. He coached Munster with a passion, but the national team is deteriorating. Players are ageing and Kidney is struggling to find the replacements. Ireland finished where they deserved to. Yes, they were without O’Driscoll throughout and O’Connell for the latter part of the Six Nations, but those two cannot be so far off retirement. What then?

Elsewhere he clearly doesn't rate Sexton as a flyhalf.

http://www.therugbysite.com/blog_posts/177-why-france-have-become-so-dull-by-wayne-smith

Wayne Smith

Ireland
Declan Kidney had been able to transfer the drive and passion of Leinster, Munster and even Ulster into the national team. He coached Munster with a passion, but the national team is deteriorating. Players are ageing and Kidney is struggling to find the replacements. Ireland finished where they deserved to. Yes, they were without O’Driscoll throughout and O’Connell for the latter part of the Six Nations, but those two cannot be so far off retirement. What then?

I suggest we go into hibernation and wait, with the current coaches, for the new future to make a phone call sometime in the next four or five years. "Hey, Decco - you don't know me, but get that team of yours together again. I'm the new BODesquian saviour and I play for ................. well guess "

What do you suggest we do with Smith's opinions, Sin é? Lie underneath them in a decade of gloom or ridicule them by proving him wrong?

We wonder where the hell the fighting spirit has gone in the Irish team and meanwhile we observers are part of the rot with our "yes,'n'it pleases your Lordship, and thanks awfully for the kind advise, sir". It's not only the players that need to find their balls again - to put it as directly as I can.

SecretFly - I recommend that you lower your expectations because any coach who you would want to coach Ireland won't risk their reputations.

Sin é wrote:Elsewhere he clearly doesn't rate Sexton as a flyhalf.

http://www.therugbysite.com/blog_posts/177-why-france-have-become-so-dull-by-wayne-smith

I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion from the above article?

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:

Sin é wrote:Elsewhere he clearly doesn't rate Sexton as a flyhalf.

http://www.therugbysite.com/blog_posts/177-why-france-have-become-so-dull-by-wayne-smith

I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion from the above article?

He came to that conclusion cos he's not very bright.

Sin é wrote:SecretFly - I recommend that you lower your expectations because any coach who you would want to coach Ireland won't risk their reputations.

I'm not talking about a new coach...I'm talking about stupid arguments risen for retaining the present crew. We retain underperforming coaches simply because one Wayne Smith tells us it's not our coaches that are the problem (based on past Provincial successes!) but the players we don't possess (based on present dominance of European club rugby)

I say you might be better off served not listening to a guy with only a fleeting, passing interest and look more at what is happening to Ireland under the current coaching team. Few nations would tolerate the irrational swings in Irish 'form' from intensity and skill levels few nations could live with to a seeming inability to even know how to hold a rugby ball.
You can't continuously be one of those things at one moment and the complete opposite in another game and not have coaching issues.

JohnnyEnglish - I said elsewhere (in Wayne Smith's blogs):

Trinh-Duc is number one in the top ten chart

http://www.therugbysite.com/blog_posts/121-trinh-duc-is-number-one-in-the-top-ten-chart-by-wayne-smith

Nothing in that article suggests Smith doesnt rate him though?! Actually it contradicts your statement completly and Smith describes the Irish gameplan as baffling so must not rate Kidney too highly...

Sin é wrote:JohnnyEnglish - I said elsewhere (in Wayne Smith's blogs):

Trinh-Duc is number one in the top ten chart

http://www.therugbysite.com/blog_posts/121-trinh-duc-is-number-one-in-the-top-ten-chart-by-wayne-smith

So quote the great man again Sin é:

This paragraph for example - "Jonathan Sexton is a good footballer and I have no idea why he did not run against Wales. He made it easy for them to defend out wide and if Sexton was playing to orders, then I am a little baffled. He is playing winning rugby at provincial level, he is good under pressure, he is brave and has the running potential. I would like to see him hit the line more."

Yes, Wayne, we're all baffled by the orders our players seem to be getting... that's the very issue - the very one, why players who are effective at one style of play suddenly choose to play a different impotent, defensive brand when with Ireland.

He goes onto say though:

.... Kris Burton was up there with Rhys Priestland as the most running fly-half in the first round (five apiece, Trinh-Duc and Parks ran it once and Hodgson and Sexton did not bother).

You seriously think its part of the gameplan not to make breaks?

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:Nothing in that article suggests Smith doesnt rate him though?! Actually it contradicts your statement completly and Smith describes the Irish gameplan as baffling so must not rate Kidney too highly...

Put it this way then, he rates Trinh-Duc and Priestland as better.

From reading that article Wayne Smith quite clearly thinks its part of the game plan

Every man is entitled to his own opinion isn't he Sin? Just because he rated Trinc Duc & Priestland higher doesn't mean he doesn't rate Sexton. His comments are quite the opposite

Irish rugby are reporting Paul O'Connell has been ruled out of the South Africa game, His replacement must be Touhy.

SirJohnnyEnglish wrote:From reading that article Wayne Smith quite clearly thinks its part of the game plan

Every man is entitled to his own opinion isn't he Sin? Just because he rated Trinc Duc & Priestland higher doesn't mean he doesn't rate Sexton. His comments are quite the opposite

Funny then because the gameplan changed in the next match against Italy because he made 5 breaks.
Back to 2 against France (Trinh-Duc made 8)
Scotland 2
England 0 breaks.

BelfastDickVet wrote: Irish rugby are reporting Paul O'Connell has been ruled out of the South Africa game, His replacement must be Touhy.

Yikes,just when we thought things were getting better.Who'll be captain,Sexton or Heaslip?Personally I'd pick Heaslip as he has experience in the role and Sexton has enough on his plate at 10.

So Kidney let him run the ball against the Italians then whoopy do. He just decided to revert back to hoofball for the rest of the championship

Not looking good now for these games. Half the starting pack down including our 3 best carrying options.

Just seen it on the Beeb news ticker...

Ryan and Tuohy with Donners on the bench?