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.

[Gibson]

The power and skill of Mcfadden. Marshall doesnae have that boys.

Sorry.

[Cari]

Second try for Ferg.

34-0.

[valjester]

Great strength and good line by McFadden, but really should have passed it.

[eirebilly]

Excellent finishing that

[Notch]

Its true, Murray is genuinely going well!

Thats great play from Heaslip and a lovely finish from McFadden.

[Cari]

Great strength and good line by McFadden, but really should have passed it.

You really don't like him do you?

Awh poor Muldoon...looks like the token Connacht player's going to come off. Joking aside, I hope he's all right and it's not as bad as it looks.

[valjester]

Jesus, Muldoon has zero luck when playing for Ireland.

[Gibson]

Unless they are top 8. That's cool

NZ 60 - IRE 0 wasn't cool!

I dunno, I enjoyed it

Go Kiwi.

[wolfball]

Muldoon, your a frigging hero... But lucky to be there.

[rodders]

Sexton must be spitting feathers....he finally sees of the challenge of one ginger haired 10 who can nail his place kicks and then another comes along....

[LeinsterFan4life]

Great strength and good line by McFadden, but really should have passed it.

[Cari]

Henry and Healy on then.

Poor Muldoon. I hope it's not a break.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

I hope everyone is watching RTE. They are putting this in perspective- all the analysis on the Fijians and nothing about the Ulster/Irish players. Just right, no nordies here thanks.

Proper order too. Ya come down here, taking real Irish players jobs...

Cave & Marshall have done everything they could have done in that half. Most impressed. It says it all about provincial-pairings playing for their country. They have an in-built advantage.

Kidney wont do it though. See Murray & Sexton. NOT a pairing. Paul Marshall (I always rated him highly) should be given a run. Shame Pienaar is in his way at Ulster.

You southerners have never dealt well with the imposition with the supremacy of the Brits. The Irish: will you ever learn?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5Z1dqJzxNo&feature=related

[Cari]

Sexton must be spitting feathers....he finally sees of the challenge of one ginger haired 10 who can nail his place kicks and then another comes along....

[eirebilly]

Sexton must be spitting feathers....he finally sees of the challenge of one ginger haired 10 who can nail his place kicks and then another comes along....

Sexton wont be 10 for much longer anyways

Waits for Gibbo onslaught

[neilthom7]

Thats bad for Muldoon hope he is OK pure accident with Murray falling into him. Its great to see Irelands back play we should really start Marshall and Gilroy next week I would like to see Cave too but that definitely wont happen with Kidney.

[The Boss]

Backs are all playing very well. Best I've seen Murray in a long time. Was calling mcFadden all the names of the day for not passing outside there so he needed to ground for the try haha.

[Gibson]

Ah schitt, what rotten luck for Muldoon. I pray its not too serious. Connacht need him bad.

[Notch]

Bring on Michael Bent- give him a chance and save Mike Ross for next week!

[clivemcl]

whats the record for most ulster players on a pitch at same time?

[valjester]

Backs are all playing very well. Best I've seen Murray in a long time. Was calling mcFadden all the names of the day for not passing outside there so he needed to ground for the try haha.

We have to bear in mind how awful the Fijians are. It is much easier for the scrumhalf and the backs when the pack is so much on top.

[Cari]

Any chance of Tommy coming on...even as water boy...we need some sexy rugby...

Fiji getting a yellow here now. Dangerous tackle.

[eirebilly]

Wasnt too bad a tackle and good from Murray for not overplaying it.

Yellow card anyways.

[Cari]

Here comes Cian Healy - sponsored by Brylcreem.

[Gibson]

Sexton must be spitting feathers....he finally sees of the challenge of one ginger haired 10 who can nail his place kicks and then another comes along....

Sexton wont be 10 for much longer anyways

Waits for Gibbo onslaught

Im loving the banter on here. Its not vicious. That's grand. Its healthy.

Stand Up For The Ulstermen.

Cant wait for Dec 21st. The Battle of the two best sides in the Irish Isles (that includes Gweat Bwitain btw)

[Cari]

Anyone want one of my Celebrations chocs? I got a tub of them here...

[rodders]

whats the record for most ulster players on a pitch at same time?

Well for Ulster it's 10 if you count Robbie Diack......

[valjester]

Croinin is really going to have to sort his darts out if he is ever going to become a starter. It is really ridiculous that he hasn't sorted it out. Best and Flannery both showed that you can go from having problems throwing to being near perfect with a lot of practice.

[Gibson]

Bring on Michael Bent- give him a chance and save Mike Ross for next week!

Agree. But for a different reason. We should start Bent next week.

[Pot Hale]

Sexton must be spitting feathers....he finally sees of the challenge of one ginger haired 10 who can nail his place kicks and then another comes along....

Sexton wont be 10 for much longer anyways

Waits for Gibbo onslaught

t. The Battle of the two best sides in the Irish Isles (that includes Gweat Bwitain btw)

That's very generous of you to include GB. Not many would do that these days.

[Notch]

We've just gone off the ball, Marshall who did so well has made a few mistakes- just need to focus.

[Cari]

DOC is knackered/injured...

[rodders]

That's two mistakes by Marshall now....that should be enough to see Gordon D'arcy through to the next RWC....

[eirebilly]

Sexton must be spitting feathers....he finally sees of the challenge of one ginger haired 10 who can nail his place kicks and then another comes along....

Sexton wont be 10 for much longer anyways

Waits for Gibbo onslaught

t. The Battle of the two best sides in the Irish Isles (that includes Gweat Bwitain btw)

That's very generous of you to include GB. Not many would do that these days.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Kilcoyne would give Mike Ross a good go at eating all the pies.




What do you mean he ate them all already? He's the only negative so far for me.

[eirebilly]

That's two mistakes by Marshall now....that should be enough to see Gordon D'arcy through to the next RWC....

You cheeky WUM

Luv ya rodders

[LeinsterFan4life]

Sexton must be spitting feathers....he finally sees of the challenge of one ginger haired 10 who can nail his place kicks and then another comes along....

Sexton wont be 10 for much longer anyways

Waits for Gibbo onslaught

t. The Battle of the two best sides in the Irish Isles (that includes Gweat Bwitain btw)

That's very generous of you to include GB. Not many would do that these days.

Why would he not inclube GB sure its apart of the Irish Isles. Cant wait to watch the Irish lions next year.

[Gibson]

Croinin is really going to have to sort his darts out if he is ever going to become a starter. It is really ridiculous that he hasn't sorted it out. Best and Flannery both showed that you can go from having problems throwing to being near perfect with a lot of practice.

Val,
As I said 2 years ago, Cronin is not in Strauss' class. Its a battle between Strauss & Best. Cronin is decent backup. Great to have Hooker covered at long last. Used to be a glaring weakness. Not anymore.

Now for Tighthead. Then we could do with 3 or 4 decent locks coming through.

[rodders]

Gilroy and McFadden have switched wings .... good to see some thinking outside the box from the coaching team....

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

DOC is knackered/injured...

Kilcoyne and Ross were so tired and sucking in so much air after the first five minutes walking that the first dozen rows in each stand passed out from oxygen deprivation.

[valjester]

Ridiculous penalty. Referee calls ball out, then penalises Murray for hands in the ruck.

[rodders]

That's two mistakes by Marshall now....that should be enough to see Gordon D'arcy through to the next RWC....

You cheeky WUM

Luv ya rodders

But ye Billser

[valjester]

Croinin is really going to have to sort his darts out if he is ever going to become a starter. It is really ridiculous that he hasn't sorted it out. Best and Flannery both showed that you can go from having problems throwing to being near perfect with a lot of practice.

Val,
As I said 2 years ago, Cronin is not in Strauss' class. Its a battle between Strauss & Best. Cronin is decent backup. Great to have Hooker covered at long last. Used to be a glaring weakness. Not anymore.

Now for Tighthead. Then we could do with 3 or 4 decent locks coming through.

I still have some difficulties with Strauss playing for us, but we would be screwed without him.

[Cari]

DOC is knackered/injured...

Kilcoyne and Ross were so tired and sucking in so much air after the first five minutes walking that the first dozen rows in each stand passed out from oxygen deprivation.

[Cari]

So are Ireland MOTM?

FIIIIIGHT!

[Pot Hale]

Predictable second half for Ireland.

Wayward.

And they decide to get into a row to boot.

[eirebilly]

Unbelievable that Ireland cant score against this Fiji team with a man advantage

[valjester]

Time for Kidney to empty the bench, we have gone off the boil, and some of the players are beginning to fatigue.

[Gibson]

Time for Kidney to empty the bench, we have gone off the boil, and some of the players are beginning to fatigue.

+1.

[Golden]

Zebo should come on now

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