Leinster v The Zebras

by thebandwagonsociety Tue 27 Nov 2012, 12:55

First topic message reminder :

ZebrasRabo Round 10?: Leinster v Zebre (Saturday at 6pm, 1 December @ RDS)

Haven't seen a build up thread so might as well get one going;

Leinster squad update
The Leinster squad stepped up their on-field preparations ahead of this weekend's RaboDirect PRO12 visit of Zebre to the RDS on Saturday evening (KO: 6pm) with a training session in UCD on Monday afternoon

The Leinster management are set to be boosted by the return of their Ireland contingent who defeated Argentina at the weekend. In addition, Heinke van der Merwe, who came off the bench to help the Springboks defeat England in Twickenham on Saturday afternoon, is also set to return to the Leinster panel this week.
The one major negative from Friday night’s win away to Glasgow Warriors was the injury picked up by second row Quinn Roux towards the end of the first half. Following medical assessments at the weekend, it has been confirmed that the young South African dislocated his shoulder and will face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Aaron Dundon, Isa Nacewa and Sean O’Brien all came through their respective comeback games unscathed and they will also be in the frame again this week.

Luke Fitzgerald, Eoin O’Malley and Dominic Ryan, meanwhile, will be given every opportunity to prove their fitness as they continue their rehab ahead of their comebacks, but this weekend looks set to come too soon once more for all three players.

Pity the three guys aren't back for the HC games this side of Christmas, they will be coming in during the cold/dark christmas window when the ground is frozen and their injured bodies are still tender!

How will Schmidt play this Selection wise? Does he need to play the main side for 80 minutes because we have not had many games with them all available and together this year? Or does he need to allow some of the Irish gang time to recover from the AIs and only give some the first 50 mins or last 30 mins of a run out?

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Andrew Conway
13: Gordon D'Arcy
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Fergus McFadden
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Sean Cronin
3: Michael Bent
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Rhys Ruddock
8: Sean O'Brien

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Cian Healy
18: Mike Ross
19: Tom Denton
20: Jordi Murphy
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fionn Carr

REFEREE: Andrew McMenenmy (SRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Stuart Gaffikin, Richard Kerr (both IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: John Dunne (Leinster Rugby Referees), TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)

15 Ruggero TREVISAN*
14 Leonardo SARTO*
13 Gonzalo GARCIA (c)
12 Matteo PRATICHETTI
11 Sinoti SINOTI
10 Daniel HALANGAHU
9 Tito TEBALDI

8 Filippo CRISTIANO
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO
6 Nicola CATTINA
5 Josh SOLE
4 Quintin GELDENHUYS
3 David RYAN
2 Carlo FESTUCCIA
1 Matias AGUERO

Replacements :
16 Davide GIAZZON
17 Andrea DE MARCHI
18 Carlo FAZZARI*
19 Emiliano CAFFINI*
20 Nicola BELARDO*
21 Alberto CHILLON*
22 David ODIETE*
23 Paolo BUSO

[/quote]

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 30 Nov 2012, 09:39

You couldn't pick a better game than tomorrow.
Full team out. Pre HC back to backs. Plenty of tickets. 18:30 KO on Saturday.
Possibly try the south stand. Bad thing about it is the sun in your eyes. That won't be a factor at half six on a Saturday in December. North stand either. The decent seats in the other 2 stands are gone at this stage and the remainder are probably poor value.

Feckless Rogue wrote:I just moved to Dublin recently, so I should try and go to a game. I've always followed Leinster on d telly but never went to the matches.

By the way we did outclass Clermont in last years semi. It was our own stupidity that let them back into it and we almost paid for it. But for the twenty minutes after half time we gave them a rugby lesson. They're good. Very bleedin good. But not as good as us.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 30 Nov 2012, 09:50

This is the team I am hoping for

VDM-Cronin-Bent
Cullen-Browne
SOB-Heaslip-Jennings
Reddan-Sexton
Darcy-McFadden
K2-Madigan-Isa

Strauss-Healy-Ross-Toner-McLaughlin-Boss-Macken-Conway

This is on the presumption that EOM and Luke will not be fit.

by Mickado Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:21

Feckless, I won't make the game myself (moving house tomorrow) but i'm a season ticket holder in the south stand and i'd be happy to forward on a printable ticket to you? Free of charge of course. Let me know how you're fixed.

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:27

Just checked there, €44 puts you on the half way line in the Grandstand.
North & South stands are behind the goals and general seating so you can get in early and put yourself where you want (though if you head off at halftime, sometimes you seat ain't there when you get back... sometimes). Prices are good value though behind the goals.
Also, if you pick the south stand, that is the end that Leinster warm up before every game, you can get right down pitchside, the backs tend to run about at the angelsea stand side, the forwards do their lineout drills and scrum prep, as well as the team's recycling prep at the grandstand side. It can be entertaining (at least to me) to see who is revved up, who is looking quiet, who is leading the warmups, etc.

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 30 Nov 2012, 10:28

though free ticket beats paid ticket every time Smile

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 30 Nov 2012, 12:05

LEINSTER:

15: Isa Nacewa
14: Andrew Conway
13: Gordon D'Arcy
12: Andrew Goodman
11: Fergus McFadden
10: Jonathan Sexton
9: Eoin Reddan

1: Heinke van der Merwe
2: Sean Cronin
3: Michael Bent
4: Leo Cullen CAPTAIN
5: Damian Browne
6: Kevin McLaughlin
7: Rhys Ruddock
8: Sean O'Brien

REPLACEMENTS:

16: Aaron Dundon
17: Cian Healy
18: Mike Ross
19: Tom Denton
20: Jordi Murphy
21: Isaac Boss
22: Ian Madigan
23: Fionn Carr

REFEREE: Andrew McMenenmy (SRU), ASSISTANT REFEREES: Stuart Gaffikin, Richard Kerr (both IRFU), 4th OFFICIAL: Ed Kenny (Leinster Rugby Referees), 5th OFFICIAL: John Dunne (Leinster Rugby Referees), TMO: Alan Rogan (IRFU)

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 30 Nov 2012, 12:05

5 Ruggero TREVISAN*
14 Leonardo SARTO*
13 Gonzalo GARCIA (c)
12 Matteo PRATICHETTI
11 Sinoti SINOTI
10 Daniel HALANGAHU
9 Tito TEBALDI

8 Filippo CRISTIANO
7 Mauro BERGAMASCO
6 Nicola CATTINA
5 Josh SOLE
4 Quintin GELDENHUYS
3 David RYAN
2 Carlo FESTUCCIA
1 Matias AGUERO

Replacements :
16 Davide GIAZZON
17 Andrea DE MARCHI
18 Carlo FAZZARI*
19 Emiliano CAFFINI*
20 Nicola BELARDO*
21 Alberto CHILLON*
22 David ODIETE*
23 Paolo BUSO

by Mickado Fri 30 Nov 2012, 12:33

Hmmm, Ruddock at 7 and Darce at 13...? Interesting.

Strong bench there.

Is Macken out injured?

by Jenifer McLadyboy Fri 30 Nov 2012, 12:42

Mickado wrote:Hmmm, Ruddock at 7 and Darce at 13...? Interesting.

Strong bench there.

Is Macken out injured?

Macken is not in the HC squad this year. (Neither are Goodman or Bent....yet anyway) I think Joe is playing a few mind games here. Expect to see several players next week that are not there tomorrow.

by asoreleftshoulder Fri 30 Nov 2012, 13:10

Never mind,Jennifer got there 1st

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 30 Nov 2012, 14:37

duplicate

by Gibson Fri 30 Nov 2012, 14:37

Darcy at 13 is a misnomer. It must be to facilitate Goodman, to see how he goes there for a full 80. Great to see the best FB in the NH, back in position. I rate him even higher than Kearney there.

I think we will see Darcy back at 12 and McFadden at 13 next week. Conway needs to make a strong impression here, if he is to have any chance of joining the HC 23.

This game should be over by HT. Then it is time for Joe to set up his combos for next week and have some defensive practice.

The backrow next week, will be SOB, Jenno and Heaslip. Locky on the bench. Has to be, if we want to come home with a half-decent result.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Fri 30 Nov 2012, 15:15

Strange calls. I wonder why jenno and Kearney jr havent been included. Bit of a head-scratcher.

by SecretFly Fri 30 Nov 2012, 15:29

Gibson wrote:

This game should be over by HT. Then it is time for Joe to set up his combos for next week and have some defensive practice.

The backrow next week, will be SOB, Jenno and Heaslip. Locky on the bench. Has to be, if we want to come home with a half-decent result.

Yes.......... this game Should be over by half time. And that scenario should be both what we expect and what is being planned by the team itself - to release some badly needed team adrenaline going into next week.

Some people seem to think a team on fire is fine in and of itself. Happy to see it when it happens but ready to defend the need to pace a season too with more solid rather than spectacular efforts. Well, true to an extent but I always believe adrenaline is much more important than just fire-works on any given play day. It creates the very essence required to sustain propulsion in the first place.

If Leinster don't do enough for this game to be over in the first half then next week becomes very wishful thinking indeed. The extended (!) pre-season is now well and truly over. Time for this side to prove it is up for the challenge of a three in a row record. Zebre should be the team in the wrong place at the wrong time if Leinster are serious about this season. That word 'should' again - the bit that scares me this season; the word 'should'!

by thebandwagonsociety Fri 30 Nov 2012, 15:42

Dave Ryan
Maura Bergamasco
Tebaldi

I'll be interested to see how we deal with these guys during the game.

I don't know if it will be a blow out in the first 40 minutes. It could just as easily be the case that Joe tells them to practice the tight exchanges for the first half and have Jonny practice tactical kicking, then in the second half start to give the backline more licence to try things after the zebras get tired.

by Feckless Rogue Fri 30 Nov 2012, 20:12

Mickado wrote:Feckless, I won't make the game myself (moving house tomorrow) but i'm a season ticket holder in the south stand and i'd be happy to forward on a printable ticket to you? Free of charge of course. Let me know how you're fixed.

That's very kind of you Mick. I'd would take you up on that. But unfortunately I have to be back in Drogheda this weekend for a family thing. I was thinking of going to the Clermont match in the Aviva. I'm gonna try and drag two borderline rugby enthusiast friends along, with the promise of lots of porter after the game.

by Gibson Fri 30 Nov 2012, 21:42

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:Strange calls. I wonder why jenno and Kearney jr havent been included. Bit of a head-scratcher.

Maybe its because they have both played a lot of games already Pete?

Jenno & K2 are both well in the frame for next week. They are already in the mix. That's sorted already. Don't worry yer pretty little Leinster head about that bud.

And, I'll say one udder ting, if Joe Schmidt wins the Heino again this year, in the face of every possible obstacle that could be thrown at him... I'm taking my pictures of God, Ghandi, Jenny Agutter, Rory Gallagher, The Virgin Mary, Allah, that burd with a tennis-ball in her knickers, my Norn-Iron lover Rava, The Bull's big grin with the 6-N Cup, Felipe, Paul Weller, Mother Teresa and Houdini, off me Wall Of Fame.

Joe, will hang alone.

Believe.

by Gibson Fri 30 Nov 2012, 22:05

Feckless Rogue wrote:
Mickado wrote:Feckless, I won't make the game myself (moving house tomorrow) but i'm a season ticket holder in the south stand and i'd be happy to forward on a printable ticket to you? Free of charge of course. Let me know how you're fixed.

That's very kind of you Mick. I'd would take you up on that. But unfortunately I have to be back in Drogheda this weekend for a family thing. I was thinking of going to the Clermont match in the Aviva. I'm gonna try and drag two borderline rugby enthusiast friends along, with the promise of lots of porter after the game.

Get to a game mo chara. Get to the Av... Avee... Get to Lansdowne for ASM man. Our Home Ground for half-decent opposition. Its a veritable rugby-feast for you and yer buds. Start at the very Top of HC Rugby.

I prefer the RDS. Actually, I prefer Donnybrook over all 3... but hey, its not going to happen now.

We tend to meet in the Horseshow House before a HC game and Cassidys of Camden St after it.

Yer welcome to buy sevorial pints for us too. Know that bud.

Believe.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwSZvHqf9qM

by Jenifer McLadyboy Sat 01 Dec 2012, 09:52

Dave K is just back from injury and has played only 3 games this season.

by **rodders** Sat 01 Dec 2012, 10:09

Gibson wrote:
And, I'll say one udder ting, if Joe Schmidt wins the Heino again this year, in the face of every possible obstacle that could be thrown at him... I'm taking my pictures of God, Ghandi, Jenny Agutter, Rory Gallagher, The Virgin Mary, Allah, that burd with a tennis-ball in her knickers, my Norn-Iron lover Rava, The Bull's big grin with the 6-N Cup, Felipe, Paul Weller, Mother Teresa and Houdini, off me Wall Of Fame.

Joe, will hang alone.

Believe.

Gibbo if Joe wins another Heino this year I might just hang his picture on my wall too .... Wink

...

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 16:44

Jenifer McLadyboy wrote:Dave K is just back from injury and has played only 3 games this season.

When I have seen him in those 3 games (think I missed 1) I thought he was doing pretty well. He is a lot better than Conway IMO

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 18:37

Sexton, McFadden, Darcy and O'Brien all looking very good at the moment

by **rodders** Sat 01 Dec 2012, 18:38

Whats the score Pete?

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 18:43

Lenihan is also an absolute Muppet

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 18:44

17-0 with 39 gone and Zebre have a man in the bin

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 18:49

24-23 Edinburgh FT Crying or Very sad

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 18:59

2nd half and Sexton and SOB are both off for Murphy and Madigan

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:05

Zebra 14 is very fast, breaks the line and then destroys a simple 2 on 1 against the fullback. The lad should be flayed. Zebra looking good in the second half

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:05

Tibaldi scores

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:09

Bent hasn't looked great in the scrums

McFadden is kicking instead of Madigan

Leinster lineout has been messy in ball presentation

20-10 51mins.

Healy, Ross and Denton all coming on

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:10

Zebre have been good. They are getting better and better as the season goes on.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:17

Great recycling and then drive and offload to McFadden who shoulder charges through 2 tacklers and scores then converts his own try

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:18

Fionn in for Isa which means Conway or Carr is at 15???

by Golden Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:29

I Missed the first 50 minutes. How has goodman and bent got on? Looked very quite in the bits I've seen.

Healy over for the bonus point

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:31

healy gets tbp

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:33

Golden wrote:I Missed the first 50 minutes. How has goodman and bent got on? Looked very quite in the bits I've seen.

Healy over for the bonus point

goodman looked good with sexton and darce since subs things av got messy. bent didn't look great but ross isn't either

by Golden Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:37

Mcfaddens havin a great game from what I've seen. Healy has been immense as usual

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:37

mcfadden shoves past 2 for another try

by Feckless Rogue Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:38

McFadden's low centre of gravity does it again.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:38

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
Golden wrote:I Missed the first 50 minutes. How has goodman and bent got on? Looked very quite in the bits I've seen.

Healy over for the bonus point

goodman looked good with sexton and darce since subs things av got messy. bent didn't look great but ross isn't either

What has Ross done wrong? He looked better in the scrum and also had a great pickup off a bad pass.

by Golden Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:41

Whose the ginger lad?? Is that Denton?

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:44

LeinsterFan4life wrote:
pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
Golden wrote:I Missed the first 50 minutes. How has goodman and bent got on? Looked very quite in the bits I've seen.

Healy over for the bonus point

goodman looked good with sexton and darce since subs things av got messy. bent didn't look great but ross isn't either
What has Ross done wrong? He looked better in the scrum and also had a great pickup off a bad pass.

it's his power (or lack of) in contact. He rarely if ever wins a contact, just not my kinda player tbh

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:48

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
Golden wrote:I Missed the first 50 minutes. How has goodman and bent got on? Looked very quite in the bits I've seen.

Healy over for the bonus point

goodman looked good with sexton and darce since subs things av got messy. bent didn't look great but ross isn't either
What has Ross done wrong? He looked better in the scrum and also had a great pickup off a bad pass.

it's his power (or lack of) in contact. He rarely if ever wins a contact, just not my kinda player tbh

A TH's job is to scrummage. Anything else is a bonus, I would definately have him starting v Clermont. Wasn't impressed at all with Bent.

by Golden Sat 01 Dec 2012, 19:49

Did they just give McFadden a rugby ball for his MOTM award?

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 20:00

LeinsterFan4life wrote:
pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
Golden wrote:I Missed the first 50 minutes. How has goodman and bent got on? Looked very quite in the bits I've seen.

Healy over for the bonus point

goodman looked good with sexton and darce since subs things av got messy. bent didn't look great but ross isn't either
What has Ross done wrong? He looked better in the scrum and also had a great pickup off a bad pass.

it's his power (or lack of) in contact. He rarely if ever wins a contact, just not my kinda player tbh
A TH's job is to scrummage. Anything else is a bonus, I would definately have him starting v Clermont. Wasn't impressed at all with Bent.

Completely disagree! What a waste of a player! That is such a closed minded attitude. Look at Afoa who contributes around the pitch and scrummages really well, what about the Argie TH too? It is vital they can scrummage but they being able to play rugby outside of the scrum isn't a "bonus" it is a necessity.

I'd start Ross too but mainly because him coming on as an impact sub is an utter waste.

by **Notch** Sat 01 Dec 2012, 20:04

It's not that the rest is a bonus it's that if he can't scrummage it's much more of a waste of a player. Firstly, you judge a prop on that and if he can't do that it doesn't matter about the rest of his game.

Top class prop is expected to be able to do it all now. But in Ireland we've had to go back to having guys who can only scrum like Ross or Fitzpatrick because our scrummaging props are so very poor.

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 01 Dec 2012, 20:08

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
LeinsterFan4life wrote:
pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:
Golden wrote:I Missed the first 50 minutes. How has goodman and bent got on? Looked very quite in the bits I've seen.

Healy over for the bonus point

goodman looked good with sexton and darce since subs things av got messy. bent didn't look great but ross isn't either
What has Ross done wrong? He looked better in the scrum and also had a great pickup off a bad pass.

it's his power (or lack of) in contact. He rarely if ever wins a contact, just not my kinda player tbh
A TH's job is to scrummage. Anything else is a bonus, I would definately have him starting v Clermont. Wasn't impressed at all with Bent.

Completely disagree! What a waste of a player! That is such a closed minded attitude. Look at Afoa who contributes around the pitch and scrummages really well, what about the Argie TH too? It is vital they can scrummage but they being able to play rugby outside of the scrum isn't a "bonus" it is a necessity.

I'd start Ross too but mainly because him coming on as an impact sub is an utter waste.

Ross got the better of the argie TH last week. There a very few ball carrying TH's and LH's for that matter, which is why we are so lucky to have healy. Ross has been playing really well for us this season. He carried the ball well against the scarlets and exeter

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 20:11

It doesn't in any way excuse a prop (who can scrummage) from not adding something to the rest of the team, be it carrying, strong defending, destructive rucking, something.

Scrummaging is the priority but if they have nothing else that player is a waste in many ways IMO.

Disagree again LF4L, if you include LH props there are a huge number who contribute around the field and many who carry. Look at the Beast, look at Franks, Roncero, all French props can play rugby.

Also Ross did well against the Loosehead not the Tighthead as Ross is a Tighthead

by LeinsterFan4life Sat 01 Dec 2012, 20:16

pete (buachaill on eirne) wrote:It doesn't in any way excuse a prop (who can scrummage) from not adding something to the rest of the team, be it carrying, strong defending, destructive rucking, something.

Scrummaging is the priority but if they have nothing else that player is a waste in many ways IMO.

Disagree again LF4L, if you include LH props there are a huge number who contribute around the field and many who carry. Look at the Beast, look at Franks, Roncero, all French props can play rugby.

Also Ross did well against the Loosehead not the Tighthead as Ross is a Tighthead

It would be great if he could carry well but he's a good scrummager, thats all that matters. Look at Archer. Great around the field but can't scrummage for his life. Which would you rather have on your team? We dont have many good scrummaging TH's. We are lucky to have him.

by pete (buachaill on eirne) Sat 01 Dec 2012, 20:24

That's not good enough for me. I agree that scrummaging is more important than other facets of play but when you say that "thats all that matters" that is just so untrue.

Ross maybe a year ago was getting around the pitch more than he is now, he was never creating massive breaks but he defended well and was effective around the pitch to a higher degree than currently.

In the Pumas game he carried once for 0 yards (slowing down the ball when it should have gone wide), he made 1 tackle and missed 1 tackle.

In my eyes doing that and locking out the scrum (not even really dominating) is not good enough. I know we are light in the TH prop area but it is not acceptable that he is now doing less than he has previously

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