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.

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

I am going to the game and I just feel meh

[rodders]

Get the peckers up lads!

Enough of the negativity, another Gilroy hat trick will sort yous out!

[pete (buachaill on eirne)]

Get the peckers up lads!

Enough of the negativity, another Gilroy hat trick will sort yous out!

Our knight in shining armour

[Pot Hale]

Ok, I have cleared my mind.

Ireland to win by 6

No wait.

Argentina by 6

I see you're turning into an Ireland fan, Biltong.

Decidedly undecided.

[Cari]

Afternoon All!

I'm very excited about this afternoon's games.

COME ON IRELAND!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Golden]

How is it that when anyone in the media is talking about the ineptitudes of this irish team they never even mention Kidney?

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Connor O'Shea's analysis before the match is excellent. Makes a lot of sense. It's almost as if he knows something about the game. Obviously unsuitable for the national job though.

[Cari]

How is it that when anyone in the media is talking about the ineptitudes of this irish team they never even mention Kidney?

They are now...on the BBC coverage that is.

[Notch]

Keith Wood says Heaslip, Sexton, D'Arcy and Bowe need to step up. I agree. I would add Earls to that list as a man in a key position with 30+ caps.

[Golden]

Well theyre not mentioning it on rte anyway. Seem to be putting it down to injuries

[Notch]

Well theyre not mentioning it on rte anyway. Seem to be putting it down to injuries

What do you expect?

[Cari]

Well it was John Inverdale who said something about not wanting to sound like a football pundit but he said you have to look at the coaching set up...

[Notch]

The stadium doesn't look more than half-full :/

They may not say it, but if we lose this- I don't know if Kidney can continue. At least without major modifications to our tactics and approach.

Even if it doesn't cost him his job, he's going to have to re-evaluate everything he's doing.

[Golden]

Well theyre not mentioning it on rte anyway. Seem to be putting it down to injuries

What do you expect?

A proper analysis.

Might switch over to the beeb then

Although i cant stand that inverdale chap.

[RogerLewis]

Attendance almost as bad as an Ospreys match.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Notch, I was just about to post the same. Its a sad indictment of of the Irish team that the stadium is maybe two thirds full.

[Golden]

Anyone else think that Hernandez is really over-rated?

[Cari]

Golden - They're on about Kidney now. Basically saying he's been too slow to give new players international opportunity.

I really hope Gilroy's not feeling under pressure or that the expectations on him are too high.

Awh there's my boy! I hope he has a good game today.

[Cari]

I do like the Puma's anthem. The arrangement is quite operatic

Woah! That dude there looked like Henson!

[eirebilly]

Its a shame to see ROG still in the lineup to be honest. I have always been a massive fan of his but it really is time to retire from International rugby.

[Cari]

Howya Billy!

I was wondering where you'd got to.

[Notch]

Its a shame to see ROG still in the lineup to be honest. I have always been a massive fan of his but it really is time to retire from International rugby.

He'll never retire on his own steam, its just not the way he is.

[RogerLewis]

I wonder how Patrick O'Zebo will do

[eirebilly]

Been a bit busy with me mam Cari

[Cari]

125 caps for ROG. Jeez...I'm knackered just thinking about that.

[Notch]

I fancy the look of this Argentina side. The only reason we might ever be considered favourites is that this is Dublin. That is a balanced, talented side who know exactly what they are doing.

[eirebilly]

Its a shame to see ROG still in the lineup to be honest. I have always been a massive fan of his but it really is time to retire from International rugby.

He'll never retire on his own steam, its just not the way he is.

And Kidney wont retire him

[Cari]

Been a bit busy with me mam Cari

Good to have your company Billiam. ooh dear...a mistake by Sexytoes already.

[Cari]

Ah, these pictures are from RTÉ - I recognise the graphics from watching the GAA.

Good start for the Pumas, the penalty just nips the wrong side of the post for them though.

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

What in the blue blazes is that penalty about? I thought that was a great steal from POM.

[eirebilly]

I would not have Ireland as favourites myself.

[Cari]

What in the blue blazes is that penalty about? I thought that was a great steal from POM.

So did the commentator...

[Notch]

We're standing so deep in attack, its dispiriting.

We're gonna need Sexton to use the boot more in this match. Gotta keep them guessing, make them drop their back three a bit deeper.

[eirebilly]

Sextons lines look aweful...

[Notch]

Sextons lines look aweful...

I know, I think there is a big question mark over him. I think we need a big game from him today to prove himself.

[Cari]

Oh dear. The prediction I'd made in an attempt to win Chilli's boots, might have been a bit ambitious...

[Golden]

Good man Gilroy

[Cari]

YAY! Gilroy's first proper Irish try!

[Notch]

GILROY!!!

The boy knows how to score!

[Golden]

Lovely Step

[eirebilly]

Gilroy

Look at the boys gather around him, quality stuff

[wales606]

Why on earth wasn't Gilroy playing for you guys in the first games?

[Hookisms and Hyperbole]

Gilroy is so overrated. I'd like him more if his name was O'Gilroy from Cork. Or Limerick.

[eirebilly]

That was a try out of the Shane Williams book of scoring

[Cari]

He reminded me of Shane then!

7-0

[Imperialbigdave]

HO HO!!!!!!!!! great try Gilroy!

[rodders]

That my boy!

[Cari]

Why on earth wasn't Gilroy playing for you guys in the first games?

Kidney problems

[Cari]

Oh buggger...and they give away a needless penalty at restart.

7-3

[eirebilly]

Why on earth wasn't Gilroy playing for you guys in the first games?

Kidney problems

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