Ireland XV vs Fiji, Match Thread and Build-Up

by **Notch** Mon Nov 12, 2012 3:48 pm

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.

by The Boss Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:50 pm

Declan O'Donnell man of the match for the Maori AB's. Howd we miss this one lads?

by ME-109 Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:58 pm

Hookisms and Hyperbole wrote:
DOD wrote:
DOD wrote: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.

I hope you see the sweet irony of what you posted.

by asoreleftshoulder Sat Nov 17, 2012 1:59 pm

Leamy was an excellent 6 and a decent 8,he got unlucky that in the age bracket where a backrow forward is in his prime he just got injured constantly.

We miss him as we don't really have top class backup for Ferris yet although POM or Henderson both look like they can eventually fill that void.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:02 pm

eirebilly wrote: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.

I have to agree with this, I was a huge fan of Denis Leamy when I first got into rugby, when he was in his prime.

Leamy and Wallace were a fantastic flanking partnership. I wish it was utilised more actually.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:07 pm

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Leamy was an excellent 6 and a decent 8,he got unlucky that in the age bracket where a backrow forward is in his prime he just got injured constantly.

We miss him as we don't really have top class backup for Ferris yet although POM or Henderson both look like they can eventually fill that void.

O'Brien is the direct replacement for Ferris I would say. When he returns from injury, I hope we will see him back to his best, punching holes in the opposition defence each game.

7 and 8 are very much two positions up for debate for the future, but I think O'Brien is the only certain player in the back row.

Henderson will end up in the second row I reckon, and O'Mahony hasn't looked great in the international games.

by Hookisms and Hyperbole Sat Nov 17, 2012 2:15 pm

I don't think O'Mahony is physically mature enough just yet for the international game. That will take time. He didn't carry the ball well last week against South Africa, but I thought he and Henry actually worked well together at the breakdown. O'Mahony clearly has all the tools to be a very good player, he just doesn't quite have the physical and mental maturity yet. Only more experience will bring that. The same could be said for the whole Munster backrow. Right now they just lack the physicality and experience to compete with Europe's best. In a couple of seasons though they could really be formidable.

by **profitius** Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:42 pm

24 is the handicap for this game. Its a dry day so they should be coming close.

by **rodders** Sat Nov 17, 2012 4:47 pm

Rory_Gallagher wrote:
eirebilly wrote: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.

I have to agree with this, I was a huge fan of Denis Leamy when I first got into rugby, when he was in his prime.

Leamy and Wallace were a fantastic flanking partnership. I wish it was utilised more actually.

Actually I was serious when I brought this up actually...Wallace is a no brainer (for me the 3rd best Irish player of the pro era behind BOD and POC) but I think we were spoiled a bit there with some of the forwards we had around the mid-late naughties.... Ferris and SOB are as good as anything we have ever had but Heaslip is not the force he was and some of the up and coming back rowers have not (yet) fulfilled their early promise - POM, Dom Ryan, Faloon, Ruddock - ..... Leamy was world class in his 2008 pomp but even later in his career he was a guy who wouldn't take a backward step and decent injury cover when fit. We miss a bit of that grit and physicality these days.

Ireland and Munster were unlucky to lose the likes of Wallace, Leamy and Quinlan in close succession and neither have quite been the same since I think.

by **Notch** Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:00 pm

If Henderson stays at 6 he could be a serious force there. He may end up at 5. Either way he'll hopefully have a lot to add to Ireland throughout his career.

Another landmark for the three amigos; Paddy Jackson, Luke Marshall and Craig Gilroy. Looking forward to this now.

by Rory_Gallagher Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:00 pm

Good way of putting it there rodders, grit and physicality. Something definitely missing right now.

by **rodders** Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:01 pm

Come on Ireland (XV) Smile

by The Boss Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:03 pm

Looking forward to this myself. Hopefully get a good showing from the younger fellas. And Paddy Jackson looks about 12 walking in to the changing rooms there!

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:05 pm

Evening All mug

Just settled in front of the telly watching Woody's guide to Limerick. Very Happy

by The Boss Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:05 pm

And good to see no Hook on the panel tonight!

by **rodders** Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:07 pm

Hey Bossie you aren't related to Isaac are you?.....

by **Notch** Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:07 pm

Hook only watches about 10 rugby matches a year, he has to pace himself.

I'm on BBC, can't get RTE on my TV. TV beats Laptop hands down.

by The Boss Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:08 pm

Yad have to ask my da about that 1, rodders. Half-brothers, maybe?

by **rodders** Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:10 pm

Good man Bossie...yer bro was robbed of more caps... Smile

by Pot Hale Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:10 pm

So the real test of the weekend is imminent.

4-0 to the SH so far.

Can the Flying Fijians make it five out of five?

by The Boss Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:13 pm

The families very bitter about it! Expecting big things from gilroy tonight. Bookies weren't offering any odds on the game round my way for whatever reason!

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:14 pm

The Beeb pundits have picked Paddy Jackson and Iain Henderson as their players to watch.

by Golden Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:14 pm

Completely unrelated but have people seen the plans for the new Japanese national stadium?

Ireland XV vs Fiji, Match Thread and Build-Up - Page 7 553735_10151321314737174_821440029_n

Ireland XV vs Fiji, Match Thread and Build-Up - Page 7 553735_10151321314737174_821440029_n

Looks slick

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:16 pm

Golden that looks like that spaceship from Flight of the Navigator.

by eirebilly Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:17 pm

Cari wrote:Golden that looks like that spaceship from Flight of the Navigator.

by Golden Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:18 pm

Haha does indeed

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:21 pm

Flannery on the touchline with the Beeb bird...they could've got Wally in as well, just for additional viewers. Any chance of Quinny commentating?

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:22 pm

Heaslip looking more like Errol Flynn every day...

by eirebilly Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:27 pm

Its that Movember thingy isnt it Cari?

by valjester Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:28 pm

What is Earls doing there?

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:28 pm

'Ello Billy, Very Happy

Yeah he's gone the whole hog with the old Movember. Well this is a cheery rendition of Ireland's Call. music

by eirebilly Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:29 pm

Ok, lets hope Ireland can get something here Smile

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:30 pm

Oh no...Butler's already mentioned Fiji playing "Munster". picard

How many times will he do that tonight?

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:32 pm

Off we go... Leprechaun

Ireland XV vs Fiji, Match Thread and Build-Up - Page 7 3933776953

by Golden Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:32 pm

Ahhh back to green good stuff

by valjester Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:32 pm

Anyone know what the story is with Earls in on the bench instead of Sexton?

by Golden Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:38 pm

3-0 ireland

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:40 pm

Good boy Paddy J! It's just started to pish down there too. That'll make conditions difficult.

Oh Ferg. He knocked it on. He knocked it on. music

by eirebilly Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:40 pm

valjester wrote:Anyone know what the story is with Earls in on the bench instead of Sexton?

I was wondering that myself...

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:41 pm

Gilroy's in! Ireland XV vs Fiji, Match Thread and Build-Up - Page 7 3933776953

by eirebilly Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:41 pm

Very nice try that Very Happy

by eirebilly Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:42 pm

Cari wrote:Gilroy's in!

Must not make naughty comeback Smile

by Pot Hale Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:43 pm

Nice try. Considering.

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:43 pm

10-0 after conversion.

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:44 pm

eirebilly wrote:
Cari wrote:Gilroy's in!

Must not make naughty comeback

Behave Billiam! warning

by eirebilly Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:46 pm

Cari wrote:
eirebilly wrote:
Cari wrote:Gilroy's in!

Must not make naughty comeback

Behave Billiam!

I thought i was Wink

by SirJohnnyEnglish Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:47 pm

Gilroy has sume serious pace!
Hoping the Sexton injury isn't serious or else its ROG next week Rolling Eyes

by thebluesmancometh Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:48 pm

Did the fijian captain just ask what his options were???

by The Boss Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:48 pm

Feic I was looking to stick a tenner on Gilroy 1st try!

by Cari Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:49 pm

I suppose because this isn't a "proper" match, the big dudes are being rested before Argentina. This is also an ideal opportunity for the littlies to get a rounaround.

Only now I've noticed the ref is a Taff.

by clivemcl Sat Nov 17, 2012 5:50 pm

First time I've seen a line out throe penalised for a slanty throw AWAY from your own players...

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