Ireland v New Zealand

First topic message reminder :

Right what's done is done regarding Aus. Time to move on and look forward to the ABs. This could be one to watch from behind the couch.

I don't expect any major changes in the team. Murray for Redden being the only obvious change, possibly at tighthead, possibly in the second row. Sexton is doubtful, maybe Earls is available.

My only expectation for this game is for an improved performance as the required level of aggressiveness was just non existent last Saturday. Otherwise we are looking at some hammering.

Without stating the obvious...I would like to see our players try to copy the All Blacks in certain aspects of the game. Namely
1. Passing the ball to another Irish player who is moving forwards and preferably in space
2. When running with the ball try to avoid the opposition players as much as possible instead of seeking out contact.
that is all.

Suas an bothair agus ar aghaidh an tarbh.

Updated with Teams
All Blacks
15 Dagg,14 jane, 13 B Smith, 12 Nonu, 11 Savea, 10 Cruden, 9 A Smith
8 Read, 7 McCaw, 6 Luatua, 5 Whitelock, , 4 Romano, 3 Faumoina, 2 Hore , 1 Crockett

Ireland
R Kearney; T Bowe, B O’Driscoll, G D’Arcy, D Kearney; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best, M Ross, D Toner, P O’Connell, P O’Mahony, S O’Brien, J Heaslip.
Replacements: S Cronin, J McGrath, D Fitzpatrick, M McCarthy, K McLaughlin, I Boss, I Madigan, L Fitzgerald.

Ireland starting to tire...

40 minutes from glory - best of luck to the boys. Will be thrilled if Ireland can take this.

Stick your World Cups up your proverbial - a win would be a legacy for an aging Irish golden generation all by itself.

No pressure or owt.

All Blacks not going for the points

Schitt! If the Kiwis score now, Ireland will have to struggle back. Good take by Toner there though.

Good grief what the hell is going on, just got in and the world has turned upside down

Afternoon Everyone  

Jebus, the Kiwis recycle quick though.

Don't think that was a try Nige...

No try....

Murray underneath?

No way that's a try..

Why stop play

Held up.

George Carlin wrote:40 minutes from glory - best of luck to the boys. Will be thrilled if Ireland can take this.

Stick your World Cups up your proverbial - a win would be a legacy for an aging Irish golden generation all by itself.

No pressure or owt.

The last of the Irish 'golden generation' deserve this accolade for all that they've given to Ireland rugby. That's another reason why I hope Ireland win. Shame that Hayes, Stringer, O'Gara, O'Callaghan and Wallace aren't around to join in.

Held up os nothing to do with it. It was short anyway.

Come on Ireland you gits!! Don't Frak this up now!

That looked like a try to me.

Fantastic game, c'mon Ireland!

mystiroakey wrote:No way that's a try..

Why stop play

If you look at it quickly, it looked like a try, and the ball looked like it touched down, but it fell short anyway as well as having a hand underneath.

Nigel Owens really is a fantastic referee - clear, honest, knowledgeable, he takes not crap, and he uses the TMO the way it's supposed to (i.e. he provides guidance to the TMO, rather than simply avoiding all responsibility).

Class act.

Dagg has been awful

Irish tacklers lying on top of the tackle from the NZ side but otherwise Ireland have been gold

Stupid penalty Ireland, but at least Kiwis are taking the points now and not trying for a try.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:That looked like a try to me.

Fantastic game, c'mon Ireland!

Then you must have x-ray vision.

Devin Toner you absolute moron.

Agree with Brian Moore.
 
They shouldn't call it "going to the TMO".
 
They should call it "letting Nigel have a drink of water, watch it on the big screen and then make his own mind up".

The irish players are sucking diesel out there

dont think he needed to obstruct the prop...

Toner has no brain, after the lineout steal he turned his body the wrong way and then he hands them 3 points like that.

Uh-oh BOD going off. Looks like he took a knock there mind. Fitzy on.

BOD going off could affect Ireland. We'll see.

Fitz on for bod

I fear NZ will target Fitzgerald

there are going to be lots of offsides and infringements i suspect as that is two very tired teams out there

Nice footwork Cronin!

Good job those Kiwi shirts are so strong eh, POM?

HEASLIP!

Oh no...another penalty to the Kiwis and POM is limping...

I think the whole of Ireland needs to be ECG monitored at the moment.
I thought yesterday's league game was tough to handle..

Murray has been huge today

AB attack is definitely lacking the leadership of Conrad smith and carter. They're aimless and have had enough runs to do better than this. More leadership required from cruden. Messam on. Thank goodness.

Hats off to the Aviva crowd, very respectful of the kicker there

Yes!! Cruden is a little rattled

gotta agree w brian moore. owens is a great ref.

that will do nicely cruden

New Zealand finding their rhythm now!

Cruden poor attempt, that's when a team is under pressure you need a player who is an accurate marksman

did nonu just tackle himself? LOL

JmD wrote:Murray has been huge today

Definitely a contender for MOTM.

Also agree with Brian Moore about Nigel. He's been consistent and clearly speaking to all the players.

Does Cronin secretly want to be a winger?

Def a no arm tackle from Nonu there

Why everyone so slow to play scrum half

quinsforever wrote:did nonu just tackle himself? LOL

Max Evans has that technique patented.

Ireland need more tries.