Ireland XV vs Fiji, Match Thread and Build-Up

[Notch]

First topic message reminder :

Looking ahead to this game, Eoin Reddan is a doubt apparently but there are no other new injury concerns. Ferris and O'Connell are confirmed out of this and next week.

I've already talked about the issue of this game not being considered a full international which can be found HERE and we should should probably try and keep discussion of that issue to the relevant thread.

I'm very much of the opinion that we should largely keep the same team. I don't see how wholesale changes are going to help prepare the firsts for Argentina. There should of course be a few tweaks (please put Earls back in the back three) but this team needs time on the pitch together. Of course, I think our problems run deeper than a lack of pitch time together but we're in a desperate situation here. We need to beat Argentina and this game has to be treated as a dry run for the week after.

[rodders]

Thanks HERSH

[HERSH]

I am sure its somewhere in the previous posts but why isn't this being classed as a capped test match?

IRB Rankings, Ireland can't afford to lose so they devalued it.

[bedfordwelsh]

I am sure its somewhere in the previous posts but why isn't this being classed as a capped test match?

IRB Rankings, Ireland can't afford to lose so they devalued it.

Anyone care to give me genuine real answer

[dublin_dave]

hersh its in limerick. they invented silence there

enjoy the game tomorrow those who are heading.

[clivemcl]

Clive, ffs.

If you were a trout you'd jump into the net wouldn't you? Practically gut and cook yourself too. Repeat after me; don't. Feed. The. Trolls!

I don't like the idea of giving up on people Notch! Thats why i believe the primary purpose of prison is rehabilitation and not punishment. You can't give up hope that HERSH will sort his life out at some point.

[HERSH]

hersh its in limerick. they invented silence there

enjoy the game tomorrow those who are heading.

Thanks Dave, but I though they invented Limericks in Limerick?

[neilthom7]

I am sure its somewhere in the previous posts but why isn't this being classed as a capped test match?

IRB Rankings, Ireland can't afford to lose so they devalued it.

Anyone care to give me genuine real answer

Basically there is an agreement that all Irish tests will be played at the Aviva. The only way to play the game at Thomond Park was to make it a non test therefore no international points or caps awarded.

[Notch]

I am sure its somewhere in the previous posts but why isn't this being classed as a capped test match?

Short answer; IRFU stupidity and arrogance.

Concise answer; they have foolishly signed a contract to play every test match at the 'AVIVA' Stadium for the next 20 years.

Long answer;

Essentially part of the sponsorship deal they signed with AVIVA over the naming rights to Lansdowne Road stipulates that every Ireland test match is played there. They thought Irish fans would continue to put their hands in their pockets for the national team no matter what, hence why they initially priced all tickets in the new ground at 100 euros for the Boks and All Blacks (it's 55 euros for the same opponents two years later). Essentially, the overestimated demand for tickets at every level and how much people were willing to pay for them. It was a disaster. They ended up getting criticism for all quarters and playing in front of rows of empty seats in the stadiums first ever game.

They probably didn't see that stadium hosting the likes of Fiji as a problem at the time, given how complacent they were about demand for tickets. But to avoid the embarrassment of playing in front of next to nobody, they switched it to Limerick. When they realised they can't award caps due to being tied into a very long contract. There's been a marked lack of interest in the game though- having sold just over 12000 tickets, the IRFU have decided to let kids go free with a payin g adult in order to try and fill out the attendance.

I started a thread to discuss this very issue; https://www.606v2.com/t37077-irfu-disrespect-fijians-with-non-cap-test-match

[bedfordwelsh]

Cheers guys, does seem the IRFU are cutting nose of to spite their face whilst at same time alienating other parts of the Country.

[GunsGerms]

Am I the only one here who thinks we will lose this one?

Well someone at the IRFU felt the same Rodders hence why its a non capped affair.

HERSH, you would enjoy life better if you tried to be likeable. But meh, its up to you.

For what its worth, you can argue that its not a *Test* international, but you can't argue that its not INTERNATIONAL. Ireland are a NATION, Fiji are a separate NATION. 'inter' is from Latin, its a prefix, 'inter-' means amid, among, between, mutually, reciprocally, together, within.

So stop saying its not an international. Feel free to rant about it being non-capped because that is actually logical and truthful.

For what its worth Ireland had a stupid contract with Aviva, but they also want to encourage interest in rugby all around the Island, and most importantly, Fiji said 'OK THATS FINE'.

The suggestion that we were scared of losing is the most out and out WUM I've ever heard on here, because despite your apparent silliness on here at times, we can still see that you arn't actually THAT dumb that you would consider Ireland scared of losing this fixture.

WUM

To be honest I really wouldnt be surprised if part of the rationale in moving the game was so that if we lost to Fiji we wouldnt drop out of the top 8. I mean Ireland have lost 6 games in a row. The most ever in the professional era. Our form is apauling.

[Submachine]

Notch, I think it is very unbecoming of you stooping to the level of HERSH on this forum. Up to now I have found your contributions to be excellent. There is absolutely no excuse for following his example.

Using the word "why" after "hence" in a sentence is just unforgivable.

[Notch]

You know, I never proof read on here... I should really start.

[ME-109]

Am I the only one here who thinks we will lose this one?

Well, we all know who to blame if we do

Well Paddy Wallace and Tom Court aren't playing so not really, no.....

Dont worry Rodders Kidney has a cunning plan. He is taking the Ulster backs to Clohessys this evening where they will be given a secret munster potion made of turnips that will make them lose all ability to run/pass the ball. Then he has planned for subliminal messages to be piped into their rooms (Play the Munster way).

1. Fiji Kick off.
2. Paddy Jackson gathers
3. All fifteen players form a maul.
4. March Fiji back to their line - score a try
5. Repeat.

Has been done before - Young Munster v UCC Munster Senior Cup final (1989 I think).

Brilliant.

[rodders]

hersh its in limerick. they invented silence there

enjoy the game tomorrow those who are heading.

Thanks Dave, but I though they invented Limericks in Limerick?

Really? Then where did they invent the Garryowen?

[rodders]

Dont worry Rodders Kidney has a cunning plan. He is taking the Ulster backs to Clohessys this evening where they will be given a secret munster potion made of turnips that will make them lose all ability to run/pass the ball.

Ah sure taking them away from Ruan Pienaar for a few days would have been enough to do the trick there

[ME-109]

Dont worry Rodders Kidney has a cunning plan. He is taking the Ulster backs to Clohessys this evening where they will be given a secret munster potion made of turnips that will make them lose all ability to run/pass the ball.

Ah sure taking them away from Ruan Pienaar for a few days would have been enough to do the trick there

You arent suggesting that they are useless without RP?

[rodders]

Dont worry Rodders Kidney has a cunning plan. He is taking the Ulster backs to Clohessys this evening where they will be given a secret munster potion made of turnips that will make them lose all ability to run/pass the ball.

Ah sure taking them away from Ruan Pienaar for a few days would have been enough to do the trick there

You arent suggesting that they are useless without RP?

It's their achilles heal DOD..... Ulstermen loose all their rugby powers if there isn't at least one South African within 60 metres....thankfully we have Strauss on the bench....

[GunsGerms]

Maleli Kunavore RIP. Minute silence for the match.

[ReadBetweenthePosts]

Maleli Kunavore RIP. Minute silence for the match.

+1

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

What happens if Samoa beat Wales (current score 16-18)

[GunsGerms]

Cardiff will implode

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

well obviously but rankings wise though?

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

oh wow

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Even we wouldn't be able to beat Wales. Well done to Samoa. Thoroughly deserved.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Samoa looked so good. They have a kicker. They have a scrum. They have the unreal power that they have always had. More important than all that they now have organisation.

[asoreleftshoulder]

well obviously but rankings wise though?

Wales drop below us but if we lose to Arg then we'll drop below them again,don't think it makes any real difference we're just lucky Samoa didn't win by 15+

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Samoa are 1.9 behind us I assume that gap has closed. If a team wins by over 15 do they just automatically win more IRB points?

[Rory_Gallagher]

That was a shocking result actually. It is interesting though to see that so many of the welsh that have criticised us for our opinions on Kidney, can now see just how vital it is to have a half decent head coach.

[Notch]

Yes. But fair play to Samoa, I don't think we could have done the same. They may still be behind us in the World Rankings but they're better than us right now- I'm glad we aren't playing them.

[Rory_Gallagher]

As am I. They would have dominated us up front. We don't have the players to compete with that physicality right now.

[asoreleftshoulder]

Samoa are 1.9 behind us I assume that gap has closed. If a team wins by over 15 do they just automatically win more IRB points?

https://www.606v2.com/t37299-irb-world-rankings

Yeah you get extra points for winning by 15 + It's all in that link,we're now on 79.04,Wales drop to 78.95 and Samoa move up to 78.79.

Wales now have to worry about the admittedly unlikely scenario of Scotland and Ireland both winning.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Interesting read here lads

http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2064171.html#multiple+permutations+ahead+rwc+pool+draw

I'm the same, I think Samoa would have hammered us with our team that we put out against the Saffa's. They were unreal, their physicality is really beginning to marry with rugby understanding and the skills to put it all together in practice. Their first try was fantastic attacking play.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Anyone know who Samoa and Scotland are playing next week?

[Rory_Gallagher]

I think it is Samoa vs France and Scotland vs Tonga.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Samoa couldn't beat France could they......?

Admins we need a nervous twitch emoticon.

[Rory_Gallagher]

Well France destroyed Australia just last weekend, and seem to be finding some form.. It will be a very exciting match I reckon, could go either way. However I would say France to win this game.

Plus France have monsters in the pack such as Picamoles who will thrive in the physical environment.

[rodders]

I think we are really missing David Wallace and to a lesser extent Dennis Leamy....... to lose such quality players in close succession is a real blow and we're feeling it now a bit, especially with O'Brien and Ferris out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvtJPs8IDgU

[neilthom7]

Good advice for Kidney there rodders always use the yellow taxi never a black taxi costs a fortune to take you home

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I think we are really missing David Wallace and to a lesser extent Dennis Leamy....... to lose such quality players in close succession is a real blow and we're feeling it now a bit, especially with O'Brien and Ferris out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvtJPs8IDgU

This is why I hit ignore on Sin. I couldn't take the chance of being brainwashed. Denis Leamy? Hang your head in shame Rodders.

[LeinsterFan4life]

I think we are really missing David Wallace and to a lesser extent Dennis Leamy....... to lose such quality players in close succession is a real blow and we're feeling it now a bit, especially with O'Brien and Ferris out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvtJPs8IDgU

This is why I hit ignore on Sin. I couldn't take the chance of being brainwashed. Denis Leamy? Hang your head in shame Rodders.

Denis Leamy was a very good player..

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I think we are really missing David Wallace and to a lesser extent Dennis Leamy....... to lose such quality players in close succession is a real blow and we're feeling it now a bit, especially with O'Brien and Ferris out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvtJPs8IDgU

This is why I hit ignore on Sin. I couldn't take the chance of being brainwashed. Denis Leamy? Hang your head in shame Rodders.

Denis Leamy was a very good player..

Not you too?

I feel like I'm the only sane person in a room of scientologists. Scrub that, Sinotologists, only worshipping lizards from space makes more sense that he does.

[ME-109]

The interesting thing about ignoring posters is the need for those doing the ignoring to tell everyone about it.

[rodders]

I think we are really missing David Wallace and to a lesser extent Dennis Leamy....... to lose such quality players in close succession is a real blow and we're feeling it now a bit, especially with O'Brien and Ferris out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvtJPs8IDgU

This is why I hit ignore on Sin. I couldn't take the chance of being brainwashed. Denis Leamy? Hang your head in shame Rodders.

Ah times a great healer Hookie... players always seem better after a few .... I was thinking how much we are missing Gary Longwell and Tyrone Howe too ...

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

The interesting thing about ignoring posters is the need for those doing the ignoring to tell everyone about it.

If you find that interesting you really need to get out more. I'd suggest coming to Ravenhill to watch the best team in Ireland play, but I know that would only make you feel bad about yourself. Then we'd have to hug it out. You've never struck me as a hugger. I'd say you're more of a biter. Here's an interesting fact which you will be bound to like. Add one more 't' to 'biter' and we also get an excellent description of you too. (that's bitter for all you non-spellers out there)

I'm an evangelist for the ignore button. Consider the ignore button Jesus and I'm Paul. Strike that DOD, make that Saint Paul.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I think we are really missing David Wallace and to a lesser extent Dennis Leamy....... to lose such quality players in close succession is a real blow and we're feeling it now a bit, especially with O'Brien and Ferris out...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tvtJPs8IDgU

This is why I hit ignore on Sin. I couldn't take the chance of being brainwashed. Denis Leamy? Hang your head in shame Rodders.

Ah times a great healer Hookie... players always seem better after a few .... I was thinking how much we are missing Gary Longwell and Tyrone Howe too ...

When I watch Connor Murray it makes me long for the halcyon days of when he had such lights as Chris Saverimutto, Niall Hogan. Tom Tierney, Brian O'Meara and Guy Easterby to pick from.

[ME-109]

The interesting thing about ignoring posters is the need for those doing the ignoring to tell everyone about it.

While I couldn't possibly comment for the poster being ignored it does show a lack of ability by the instigator to argue their point. Maybe its because they don't really have one and just like to put forward theories of their own and are outraged when these are called into question. The lack of ability to argue their point shows the dearth of any depth to these theories. The outrage that the whole world does not agree with these fantasies and the need to ignore would be concerning if it was a child...it shows a lack of ability in many area...

As for myself i was quite pleased to hear that another poster was ignoring me until i discovered that it was another of the more challenged ones which was personally disappointing.

[Notch]

Not you too?

I feel like I'm the only sane person in a room of scientologists. Scrub that, Sinotologists, only worshipping lizards from space makes more sense that he does.

Denis Leamy was like a lot of Irish players of recent times. He had about two seasons of absolute brilliance before a sustained slide into mediocrity.

I've got to say that unlike the likes of Neil Best his career was hamstrung by injury. He ran into injury problems and never recaptured his form. We do tend to take a rosy-eyed view of players in this country. We have a bit of a selective memory for their good games only (or their bad games if we're doing the tedious inter-provincial arguing bit)

[eirebilly]

Injuries are what did it for Leamy. He was a superb player and would have had a brilliant extended international career had it not been for the injuries. On form and injury free, he was up there with the best in the world.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

The interesting thing about ignoring posters is the need for those doing the ignoring to tell everyone about it.

While I couldn't possibly comment for the poster being ignored it does show a lack of ability by the instigator to argue their point. Maybe its because they don't really have one and just like to put forward theories of their own and are outraged when these are called into question. The lack of ability to argue their point shows the dearth of any depth to these theories. The outrage that the whole world does not agree with these fantasies and the need to ignore would be concerning if it was a child...it shows a lack of ability in many area...

As for myself i was quite pleased to hear that another poster was ignoring me until i discovered that it was another of the more challenged ones which was personally disappointing.

Nah, it's not that. I don't agree with pretty much anything you ever post but I see no need to ignore you. The person in question ruins every Irish thread with provincial nonsense, and I am far from the only one who has him on ignore. Some people want to debate Irish rugby. Unfortunately some people are a waste of space. I don't agree with alot of what Rodders and Notch say either. At least they don't go out of their way to stifle debate, wind people up, and are respectful of other people's opinions.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Not you too?

I feel like I'm the only sane person in a room of scientologists. Scrub that, Sinotologists, only worshipping lizards from space makes more sense that he does.

Denis Leamy was like a lot of Irish players of recent times. He had about two seasons of absolute brilliance before a sustained slide into mediocrity.

I've got to say that unlike the likes of Neil Best his career was hamstrung by injury. He ran into injury problems and never recaptured his form. We do tend to take a rosy-eyed view of players in this country. We have a bit of a selective memory for their good games only (or their bad games if we're doing the tedious inter-provincial arguing bit)

I remember the match against England at Lansdowne when Shane Horgan scored in the last minute. Leamy was really bloody brilliant that day. It's just unfortunate the last two or three seasons he wasn't worthy of his spot in the squad. A fit Leamy probably pushed Heaslip as well. Look at what no competition has done to his game.

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