Ireland vs Argentina, Build-Up and Match Thread

[Notch]

First topic message reminder :

Ireland's date with destiny fast approaches. Win and we are absolutely certain of a Second Tier seeding at the 2015 RWC. Lose... and we are at the mercy of other results. Argentina sit just ahead of us in the World Rankings table in sixth and will also be looking to copper-fasten their spot. There'll be no love lost between the two sides; these games are always confrontational and Argentina have a fair bit of momentum coming into this with a very credible win in Cardiff. They failed to register a win in their debut rugby championship season but the lessons learned make them a much more dangerous beast than the naive bruisers we've faced in the past. They've kept all their passion and physicality, but now have a fine young generation of elusive and skillful backs and a much better balance to their game. Two of those- Horacio Agulla and Lucas Amorosino- have been omitted by Santiago Phelan for this game but watch out for Juan Jose Imhoff and Gonzalo Camacho.

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3885_8259078,00.html

Argentina: Marcos Ayerza, Marcelo Bosch, Maximiliano Bustos, Gonzalo Camacho, Manuel Carizza, Santiago Cordero, Agustín Creevy, Tomas Cubelli, Tomas De la Vega, Julio Farias Cabello, Juan Martín Fernandez Lobbe (capt), Santiago Fernandez, Francisco Gomez Kodela, Juan Cruz Guillemain, Eusebio Guinazu, Juan Martin Hernandez, Juan Jose Imhoff, Martín Landajo, Juan Manuel Leguizamon, Tomas Leonardi, Nahuel Lobo, Manuel Montero, Bruno Postiglioni, Federico Sanchez, Leonardo Senatore, Gonzalo Tiesu, Joaquin Tuculet, Tomás Vallejos, Nicolas Vergallo.

Talking of backs, Ireland coach Declan Kidney has a number of decisions to make after a much-changed backline ran rampant against against an admittedly under-strength and uncommitted Fijian side. Media and fans have been clamouring to see more of the likes of Craig Gilroy, Luke Marshall and Paddy Jackson but when he selects his side the Cork man has to counter-balance their obvious potential against the naivety of our last opponents and the value of experience. It would be no surprise if he mainly stuck to the conservative option; expect a few new faces but no radical, fundamental change. He'll be hoping Johnny Sexton recovers from an injury picked up in the warm-up on Saturday; he's scheduled to return to training on Thursday, the same day the team is named.

Teams to be edited in when they are announced. Discuss.

[Sin é]

omg you would a actually think old knoxy knew what he was talking about.....he was like a poor extra from Kath & Kim..the fact that someone quoted him says it all

hahahaha .

on a lighter note lads i trust you have seen the Tommy Bowe Subway ad. Its up there with the Cian Healy berocca ad,

Heres to an improved performance and a win on Saturday a sentiment we can all agree on.

Yea, its not quite up there with Denis Hickie and Wavin Pipes though!

+ 1 for the win on Satuday!

[dublin_dave]

haha. il ask a few pals over there to check out their first phase moves.

wonder do they run with this move ad nauseum

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVpt3sOJdxQ

[Feckless Rogue]

I have so may questions

Why on earth did we play a drift defence against Wales in the last 6 nations?
Why is there such an aversion to picking young unproven players?
Why does there seem to be no direction, development or even an obvious plan to what the team is doing?
Why is the most successful era in Irish domestic rugby coinciding with a bid for the record number of test losses in the pro era?
Why were the coaching team offered new contracts when it had become obvious the team was badly underperforming for two years?
Why are over the hill players getting expensive central contracts?
Is it just me or are centrally contracted players allowed far more bad performances before being dropped, if at all?
Why does nobody mention the fact that the player management program has brought no obvious benefit? In fact we seem to have a far higher injury rate now. Is there any verifiable evidence that this has improved performance at all?
Why are Fitzgerald and Earls making public demands through the media about what position they want to play?
Why is the mere notion of moving O'Driscoll out of the 13 jersey (which is part of his trademarked logo) not even discussed?
Why is ROG getting huge cheers when he comes on the field for Ireland, when at 35, he's actually next to useless now?
How can a team full of proven top class HC level attackers look less capable of scoring a try than Italy on a bad day?
Why is there a general (but unverified) belief that the IRFU have a big say in provincial and international selection issues? Do they? Because it's not the place of administrators to be doing so.
Why is 90% of the words that come out of Kidney and his players mouths utter bull****?
Why is our defence coach now our attack coach?
Why did Feek publicly announce he's not working with Ireland any more, but then suddenly is, with no explanation?
Why wasn't Gaffney replaced?
How can Ireland lose 60-0 SIXTY-NILL and there not be even a mutter in the media about the position of the coach?

Kidneys reign stinks. And for some reason some people will take that as a personal insult, because Kidney is from their neck of the woods. But it's not about that. It stinks because it stinks. And we seriously need to change things at the top.

And yes, I am tired and emotional right now. And drunk.

[MrsP]

Wow!



That was some rant there Feckless. And remarkably intelligible despite your self confessed intoxication.





Cue someone posting videos and quoting meaningless, out of context articles from school magazines to try to disprove every point!

[Mickado]

Apparently they wouldn't talk to each other - great that your backs coach won't talk to your forwards coach. Poor Cheika!

I can't wait to read some of the Leinster boys bios of that era. Throw in Contempomi into the mix and the place would have been em, very excitable!

He never forgave Munster for the way they beat Leinster in the '06 semi (known as Black Sunday in Leinster circles)!

He's a pro rugby player, he can get over a loss, it was the style of "sledging" that left a sour taste.

[rodders]

I have so may questions

Why on earth did we play a drift defence against Wales in the last 6 nations?

I'd be more wondering why we picked McFadden and D'arcy in midfield against a 3/4 line with an average weight of well over 100kgs.... why our defence wasn't just drifting but visibly back peddling and hanging off Mike Phillips.

Why is there such an aversion to picking young unproven players?

Culturally embeded conservatism. Politics. Player power. Financial pressure from sponsors. Hero worship of big name players. Fear of change or risk. Tactical naivety. Favouratism. All of the above.

Why does there seem to be no direction, development or even an obvious plan to what the team is doing?

Poor coaching. Lack of vision or understanding of the modern game withing the IRFU.

Why is the most successful era in Irish domestic rugby coinciding with a bid for the record number of test losses in the pro era?

See above. Too many out of sorts and past it players getting picked. Failure to rebuild the team after the RWC. Misfiring key units and failure to address the midfield and balance in the backline. Bad Luck. Lack of confidence. Other teams have improved whilst we've stagnated since 2007.

Why were the coaching team offered new contracts when it had become obvious the team was badly underperforming for two years?

See question 2 and 3

Why are over the hill players getting expensive central contracts?

See question 2 and 3

Is it just me or are centrally contracted players allowed far more bad performances before being dropped, if at all?

No its not just you

Why does nobody mention the fact that the player management program has brought no obvious benefit? In fact we seem to have a far higher injury rate now. Is there any verifiable evidence that this has improved performance at all?

Great question, not sure on that.

Why are Fitzgerald and Earls making public demands through the media about what position they want to play?

Probably because they aren't doing enough talking on the pitch

Why is the mere notion of moving O'Driscoll out of the 13 jersey (which is part of his trademarked logo) not even discussed?

See Question 2 and 3

Why is ROG getting huge cheers when he comes on the field for Ireland, when at 35, he's actually next to useless now?

Err ask Sin and DOD...

How can a team full of proven top class HC level attackers look less capable of scoring a try than Italy on a bad day?

Square pegs in round holes.... see questions 3 and 4

Why is there a general (but unverified) belief that the IRFU have a big say in provincial and international selection issues? Do they? Because it's not the place of administrators to be doing so.

Well it is verifiable. It is open knowledge that Kidney was told to prioritise the 6N and no flexability in results would be given to facilitate experimentation. Net result, we are no longer at the races in the 6N, struggling for 8th place in the rankings and we are 2-3 years behind everyone else in terms of RWC planning. The present sucks and the future will too...

Why is 90% of the words that come out of Kidney and his players mouths utter bull****?

He's a limited coach who did a great job with and experienced Munster side whos in way over his head tactically.

Why is our defence coach now our attack coach?

To facilitate Anthoney Foley

Why did Feek publicly announce he's not working with Ireland any more, but then suddenly is, with no explanation?

Thats one for the conspiracy theorists....

Why wasn't Gaffney replaced?

See point 3....

How can Ireland lose 60-0 SIXTY-NILL and there not be even a mutter in the media about the position of the coach?

Because the media know which side their bread is buttered on....

.....

[Warthog]

I have so may questions

Why on earth did we play a drift defence against Wales in the last 6 nations?
Why is there such an aversion to picking young unproven players?
Why does there seem to be no direction, development or even an obvious plan to what the team is doing?
Why is the most successful era in Irish domestic rugby coinciding with a bid for the record number of test losses in the pro era?
Why were the coaching team offered new contracts when it had become obvious the team was badly underperforming for two years?
Why are over the hill players getting expensive central contracts?
Is it just me or are centrally contracted players allowed far more bad performances before being dropped, if at all?
Why does nobody mention the fact that the player management program has brought no obvious benefit? In fact we seem to have a far higher injury rate now. Is there any verifiable evidence that this has improved performance at all?
Why are Fitzgerald and Earls making public demands through the media about what position they want to play?
Why is the mere notion of moving O'Driscoll out of the 13 jersey (which is part of his trademarked logo) not even discussed?
Why is ROG getting huge cheers when he comes on the field for Ireland, when at 35, he's actually next to useless now?
How can a team full of proven top class HC level attackers look less capable of scoring a try than Italy on a bad day?
Why is there a general (but unverified) belief that the IRFU have a big say in provincial and international selection issues? Do they? Because it's not the place of administrators to be doing so.
Why is 90% of the words that come out of Kidney and his players mouths utter bull****?
Why is our defence coach now our attack coach?
Why did Feek publicly announce he's not working with Ireland any more, but then suddenly is, with no explanation?
Why wasn't Gaffney replaced?
How can Ireland lose 60-0 SIXTY-NILL and there not be even a mutter in the media about the position of the coach?

Kidneys reign stinks. And for some reason some people will take that as a personal insult, because Kidney is from their neck of the woods. But it's not about that. It stinks because it stinks. And we seriously need to change things at the top.

And yes, I am tired and emotional right now. And drunk.

Answers on a postcard please. This has to be the most comprehensive sum of the state of Irish rugby I have ever seen.

[GunsGerms]

Apparently they wouldn't talk to each other - great that your backs coach won't talk to your forwards coach. Poor Cheika!

I can't wait to read some of the Leinster boys bios of that era. Throw in Contempomi into the mix and the place would have been em, very excitable!

He never forgave Munster for the way they beat Leinster in the '06 semi (known as Black Sunday in Leinster circles)!

He's a pro rugby player, he can get over a loss, it was the style of "sledging" that left a sour taste.

I dont know anyone that calls it black sunday. I think Munster fans like to think it it was a bigger deal to Leinster fans than it actually was. It would have been so much worse if it had been a tight game but Leinster were never really in the game and it was just a case of losing to a better team.

[GunsGerms]

For me the worst thing about this match was that Malcolm O'Kelly was handed off by ROG who then scored and celebrated like a football player. The embarassment!!

[rodders]

Really? I'd have thought the bit when ROG dummied Contepomi and made that cheeky line break would have been a tough one to watch.....

[GunsGerms]

Really? I'd have thought the bit when ROG dummied Contepomi and made that cheeky line break would have been a tough one to watch.....

Been a long time since ROG has made a line break. That and the O'Kelly blunder may have been the last ones.

[Warthog]

Black Sunday is a Cypress Hill album.

Once again, Sin E is trying to drive the wedge. Roaches like him only seem to have come out of the woodwork since Leinster became successful.

I remember celebrating Munster's successes (I even have a Munster jersey at home), but certain cruds have spoilt the relationship with their parish pump, us vs the City Boys tripe.

It's really sad..

[GunsGerms]

It is especially given that so many of us Leinster fans like you and I arent even from a city. I guess some people cant get over their insecurities and inferiority complexes when it comes to Dublin. Pretty sad really.

[rodders]

Brendan Cole at RTE predicting an 18-9 win for the Pumas.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Brendan Cole at RTE predicting an 18-9 win for the Pumas.

I have a list of criteria for the match.
1) We stay in the top 8
2) Kidney and his staff are sacked
3) Argentina win by more than 7 points so I can win the 606v2 prediction league.

[Submachine]

Brendan Cole at RTE predicting an 18-9 win for the Pumas.

Really hope you are being ironical with that one.

[GunsGerms]

Would anyone really be shocked if Argentina won? No is probably the answer but I like most Irish fans like to think that because of the importance of this match we will be able to get the lead out and grind out a win. It will be very tough for lots of reasons though.

[Biltong]

Ok, I have cleared my mind.

Ireland to win by 6

[rodders]

Brendan Cole at RTE predicting an 18-9 win for the Pumas.

I have a list of criteria for the match.
1) We stay in the top 8
2) Kidney and his staff are sacked
3) Argentina win by more than 7 points so I can win the 606v2 prediction league.

May as well hope for the win because the coaching staff won't be sacked...nay chance... and even if Kidney got the chop he'd be replaced by Foley.

[GunsGerms]

Ok, I have cleared my mind.

Ireland to win by 6

Very generous Bill.

I think Ireland will need to defend extemely well to keep the Pumas out.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Would anyone really be shocked if Argentina won? No is probably the answer but I like most Irish fans like to think that because of the importance of this match we will be able to get the lead out and grind out a win. It will be very tough for lots of reasons though.

Given the decline in our side over the past two seasons especially I would be surprised if we won. Argentina are a decent side, lets not make any bones about it. However, the fact I am expecting to lose convincingly says alot about where Irish rugby is. We don't have the players even if we had the best coach in the world to be the best side in the world. But we shouldn't be losing 60-0 to New Zealand. We shouldn't be beaten three times in a row by a decent but nothing more Wales. We shouldn't be humiliated by a very average England. We shouldn't throw away commanding leads against a poor France and a poor second (maybe third Biltong?) South Africa. We shouldn't lose to Scotland at home at Croke Park. We shouldn't be in exactly the same position as we were seven years ago having to beat Argentina to be in amongst the second tier of rugby rankings. But here we are. It's just very disappointing.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Brendan Cole at RTE predicting an 18-9 win for the Pumas.

I have a list of criteria for the match.
1) We stay in the top 8
2) Kidney and his staff are sacked
3) Argentina win by more than 7 points so I can win the 606v2 prediction league.

May as well hope for the win because the coaching staff won't be sacked...nay chance... and even if Kidney got the chop he'd be replaced by Foley.

If Ireland win, Irish rugby loses.

[GunsGerms]

We don't have the players even if we had the best coach in the world to be the best side in the world.

Not sure I agree with this at all. The last three ERC European player of the year awards have gone to Irish players. The talent is there. We really arent getting the best out of our players at international level though.

[ME-109]

Brendan Cole at RTE predicting an 18-9 win for the Pumas.

I have a list of criteria for the match.
1) We stay in the top 8
2) Kidney and his staff are sacked
3) Argentina win by more than 7 points so I can win the 606v2 prediction league.

May as well hope for the win because the coaching staff won't be sacked...nay chance... and even if Kidney got the chop he'd be replaced by Foley.

If Ireland win, Irish rugby loses.

This is getting hilarious.

DK for four more years...just because 606v2 would be without him..although i am not sure how long the stuff would be held off if we got a new coach and he wasnt that good....

[GunsGerms]

Who do you want as Ireland manager DOD?

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

DOD if the new coach is in the same position as Kidney I'd be saying the same. Kidney's appointment was the right man at the right time, but unfortunately the new rules and innovations have moved the game on but Kidney isn't capable of moving with it. It's a shame. Declan Kidney is a gentleman, and he is trying his upmost to make Ireland successful. It's just not within his mindset or capabilities to do it.

People have been slightly classless about Kidney. He gave us our first grand slam in sixty years. Some posters try and denigrate that achievement by saying it was the players or it was really Eddie O'Sullivan. If this was the case it would have been achieved before Kidney got the post. He's no longer up the task and we need fresh thinking and new ideas. We are no longer even competitive with Kidney in charge. No doubt he has something still to offer the game, but coaching at this level is now beyond him.

[ME-109]

I am of the opinion that whether Kidney goes or not I am not 100% convinced that we have the players or capabilities to be top 4 at the moment.

I do think it is time for a change though but I dont particularly blame Kidney for the failings as I think a lot of the players underperformed or found the step up from Provincial rugby to be a little bit more of an issue.

We have very few World Class players and just happened to get a full 15 out over the last decade that competed well. I think at the moment we have 30 - 45 decent players which differs from the 90's or 80's when one injury could change a result for us.

But guess what everyone else is trying to evolve as well.

For a new manager....I dont really care...would be good to get someone from SH preferably NZ but with some big team history. I think that it will be more the way the provinces play the game which will affect the Irish team I think that with the three coaches approaching things in the same way we might see something in the next few years but I dont see any major improvements in the foreseeable future to be honest regardless of coach.

Regarding DK i dont see his coaching as being limited or old as hook does. I think he brought in the right people and put the right structures in place. I think he has been unlucky at times (as well as lucky) but I am of the belief that we are still looking at a limited player base...there are some green shoots with some of the younger players coming through. As I said if the Provinces play to a similar style or similar approach it should lead to improvements overall...just dont see it happening immediately...

[rodders]

We don't have the players even if we had the best coach in the world to be the best side in the world.

Not sure I agree with this at all. The last three ERC European player of the year awards have gone to Irish players. The talent is there. We really arent getting the best out of our players at international level though.

No we don't but we have enough good players not to be struggling to get in the top 8...enough quality that we should be able to create and utilise standard overlaps... to have a decent kicking game... to understand that you can't attack with slow ball...

[rodders]

Great post DOD

[Sin é]

Black Sunday is a Cypress Hill album.

Once again, Sin E is trying to drive the wedge. Roaches like him only seem to have come out of the woodwork since Leinster became successful.

I remember celebrating Munster's successes (I even have a Munster jersey at home), but certain cruds have spoilt the relationship with their parish pump, us vs the City Boys tripe.

It's really sad..

I do nothing. You do it to yourself.

Mind you, your reaction to the mention of the '06 semi says it all.

Personally think that was the turning point for Leinster Rugby. They got the finger out after that.

[Notch]

DOD if the new coach is in the same position as Kidney I'd be saying the same. Kidney's appointment was the right man at the right time, but unfortunately the new rules and innovations have moved the game on but Kidney isn't capable of moving with it. It's a shame. Declan Kidney is a gentleman, and he is trying his upmost to make Ireland successful. It's just not within his mindset or capabilities to do it.

People have been slightly classless about Kidney. He gave us our first grand slam in sixty years. Some posters try and denigrate that achievement by saying it was the players or it was really Eddie O'Sullivan. If this was the case it would have been achieved before Kidney got the post. He's no longer up the task and we need fresh thinking and new ideas. We are no longer even competitive with Kidney in charge. No doubt he has something still to offer the game, but coaching at this level is now beyond him.

I think Kidney is a good coach. I supported him a lot in his first few years, but it's become clear he's the wrong coach. The wrong fit. We could have been pretty good for a few years earlier had he come in then but since 2010 he's not been able to adapt his style to the challenges we face. I wish him the best of luck.

I agree with DOD when he says that having the three main provinces now playing a similar way will have dividends whoever is coach, and I'd add the Academy structures are getting better and better. Young players are coming through increasingly better balanced.

[ME-109]

DOD if the new coach is in the same position as Kidney I'd be saying the same. Kidney's appointment was the right man at the right time, but unfortunately the new rules and innovations have moved the game on but Kidney isn't capable of moving with it. It's a shame. Declan Kidney is a gentleman, and he is trying his upmost to make Ireland successful. It's just not within his mindset or capabilities to do it.

People have been slightly classless about Kidney. He gave us our first grand slam in sixty years. Some posters try and denigrate that achievement by saying it was the players or it was really Eddie O'Sullivan. If this was the case it would have been achieved before Kidney got the post. He's no longer up the task and we need fresh thinking and new ideas. We are no longer even competitive with Kidney in charge. No doubt he has something still to offer the game, but coaching at this level is now beyond him.

I think Kidney is a good coach. I supported him a lot in his first few years, but it's become clear he's the wrong coach. The wrong fit. We could have been pretty good for a few years earlier had he come in then but since 2010 he's not been able to adapt his style to the challenges we face. I wish him the best of luck.

I agree with DOD when he says that having the three main provinces now playing a similar way will have dividends whoever is coach, and I'd add the Academy structures are getting better and better. Young players are coming through increasingly better balanced.

I disagree with that. I refer back to the abilities of the players in terms of stepping up from the HC or Pro12. I do not think it is anything to do with the style. The teams that have beaten us have done so in the same way Irish teams have been beaten since time began. It was clear against SA, it is the same as the Welsh do to us recently, what France have done to us all last decade and it is what Argentina will try to do to us. That is to physically dominate our pack and go forward ball. At the end of the day rugby is about dominance in that area...you can have all the fancy dan rugby players you like or a brilliant style of play but that is what its all about.

[rodders]

I'd like to see Graham Henry take over as director of rugby.

[ME-109]

I would like Guy Noves or even Jacques Brunel - the two mavericks in France. Why not get someone French, we should move away from the Anglo style...

[Argie fan]

I'd like to see Graham Henry take over as director of rugby.

NO, NO, NO, Graham is our.

[GunsGerms]

GH seems to have done some good work with the Argentina backs especially. Whereas Argentina have always had decent players across the park they were probably more forward orientated. Seem to be firing well on both fronts now though.

[rodders]

I'd like to see Graham Henry take over as director of rugby.

NO, NO, NO, Graham is our.

Fancy a swap?

[Argie fan]

I'd like to see Graham Henry take over as director of rugby.

NO, NO, NO, Graham is our.

Fancy a swap?

Well, maybe your coach plus U2 band for GH would be a fair swap

[GunsGerms]

We will give you Bono for free.

[rodders]

[Argie fan]

We will give you Bono for free.

[rodders]

Hands off Sinead O'Connor and Michael Flatley though....

[Biltong]

Ok, I have cleared my mind.

Ireland to win by 6

No wait.

Argentina by 6

[profitius]

Another reason why I think Ireland will win is because they have been in camp for a few weeks now and should be gelling as a unit.

[GunsGerms]

Another reason why I think Ireland will win is because they have been in camp for a few weeks now and should be gelling as a unit.

At the end of the 6n ireland got spanked by England.

At the end of the summer tour Ireland got spanked by NZ.

Not sure there is much evidence that we perform better the longer the team is together.

[Mcgavin Sean]

The Kidney Clock! tick tock tick tock

Kidney has lost the backing of Leinster and Ulster supporters and defeat tomorrow will surely lose him what remains of the die hard Munster fans he has left.Dropping out of the top eight may be a blessing in disguise,the IRFU will then have their collective hands forced .The vast majority of fans in the country have had enough of the hopeless and unimaginative rugby that Kidney has presided over.Taking away the grand slam won with an Eddie O Sulllivan constructed side and in addition to the rule changes after 2009/10 meant that Kidney s tactics have left the Ireland side floundering and rudderless these last three years.

The decline as we know has been halted intermittently by the odd performance/victory that offered a glimmer of hope that maybe he could turn things around but our win/loss record is appalling by any standards.Any other serious top eight nation would have sacked their manager even before the last world cup in 2011,Ireland are an exception to that mindset and the powers that be who not only backed him but offered him a contract extension should consider their own positions too.The honorable thing for Kidney to do would be to walk away,he is not oblivious to doing that either and Neath and Leinster will readily attest to that,and leave Ireland and an interim manager to pick a team of young tyros from Ulster,Leinster and Munster with a backbone of experienced players to underpin a new and exciting era in our history.

I would suggest bringing in Mike Ruddock for the six nations,a coach who has delivered some stunning victories with the U20 side and who has also form with regards to the six nations winning a GS with Wales in 2005.
We can only live in hope!

[wolfball]

I would suggest bringing in Mike Ruddock for the six nations,a coach who has delivered some stunning victories with the U20 side and who has also form with regards to the six nations winning a GS with Wales in 2005.
We can only live in hope!

As much as I agree with the rest of what you say, really don't see Ruddock as our saviour. Player power is a real issue for ireland I feel and Ruddock, for all his other qualities, has proven his inability to deal with player power from his time at Wales. Would we not be better suited to a coach that can tell our players to cop on? A non-Irish coach (with a hard side to them) is a must for our next coach, as a corrective measure if nothing else. Anyways, will be in a truck driving across Pennsylvania for most of the match and will be depending on the 606 lads and ladies for match updates as usual... I honestly am for the first time struggling with wanting Ireland to win, In the medium to long term it may be better if we lose tomorrow, as much as it breaks my heart to think that way. But watching Ireland at the moment (not lose, losing is something as a connacht supporter I am well used to) meander through games and waste their talent and potential, well its so much worse then losing. It cheapens irish rugby.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

I would suggest bringing in Mike Ruddock for the six nations,a coach who has delivered some stunning victories with the U20 side and who has also form with regards to the six nations winning a GS with Wales in 2005.
We can only live in hope!

As much as I agree with the rest of what you say, really don't see Ruddock as our saviour. Player power is a real issue for ireland I feel and Ruddock, for all his other qualities, has proven his inability to deal with player power from his time at Wales. Would we not be better suited to a coach that can tell our players to cop on? A non-Irish coach (with a hard side to them) is a must for our next coach, as a corrective measure if nothing else. Anyways, will be in a truck driving across Pennsylvania for most of the match and will be depending on the 606 lads and ladies for match updates as usual... I honestly am for the first time struggling with wanting Ireland to win, In the medium to long term it may be better if we lose tomorrow, as much as it breaks my heart to think that way. But watching Ireland at the moment (not lose, losing is something as a connacht supporter I am well used to) meander through games and waste their talent and potential, well its so much worse then losing. It cheapens irish rugby.

There's an element of that I think in a lot of people's hearts and minds at the moment.
It hurts a lot

[profitius]

Another reason why I think Ireland will win is because they have been in camp for a few weeks now and should be gelling as a unit.

At the end of the 6n ireland got spanked by England.

At the end of the summer tour Ireland got spanked by NZ.

Not sure there is much evidence that we perform better the longer the team is together.

You have to take other things into account. I said it was another reason, not the reason.

[profitius]

Looking at some online forums, I never saw such a lack of interest for an Ireland match. The IRFU should be worried.

[Sponsored content]