Ireland Squad Nov 2018 - Who’s going to play errr England?

First topic message reminder :

Italy 3 Nov - Chicago - Ireland 54-7
Argentina 10 Nov Dublin - 28-17
New Zealand 17 Nov Dublin 16-9
USA 24 Nov Dublin - 52-14

November Total - 150-47

Frontrowers
Rory Best 112 (c)
Rob Herring 6
Sean Cronin 63
Niall Scannell 10

Tadhg Furlong 26
Andrew Porter 9
John Ryan 15

Finlay Bealham 8
Cian Healy 81
Dave Kilcoyne 23
Jack McGrath 51


Locks
Tadhg Beirne 3
Iain Henderson 40 USA
Quinn Roux 7
James Ryan 11
Devin Toner 61

Backrowers

Dan Leavy 10
Josh van der Flier 11
Jordi Murphy 23
Sean O’Brien 51
Peter O’Mahony 50 (vc)
Rhys Ruddock 20
Jack Conan 10
CJ Stander 26


Scrumhalves
John Cooney 3
Kieran Marmion 22
Luke McGrath 6

10s
Jonathan Sexton 76 (vc)
Ross Byrne 2
Joey Carbery 14

Centres
Garry Ringrose 15
Robbie Henshaw 36
Will Addison 2
Bundee Aki 10
Sam Arnold 1
Stuart McCloskey 3

Back three
Andrew Conway 8
Keith Earls 70
Rob Kearney 86
Jordan Larmour 7
Jacob Stockdale 12
Darren Sweetnam 3

Jamie Heaslip was interviewed on NZ Radio Sport this morning. Seems like a good buggar despite kneeing McCaw in the head.

ebop wrote:Jamie Heaslip was interviewed on NZ Radio Sport this morning. Seems like a good buggar despite kneeing McCaw in the head.

I always thought he was a 'good buggar' BECAUSE he kneed McCaw in the head.

https://www.balls.ie/rugby/all-blacks-win-in-dublin-400908

Nice reminder of the last test.

Collapse2005 wrote:https://www.balls.ie/rugby/all-blacks-win-in-dublin-400908

Nice reminder of the last test.

Pretty much sums up the extreme level of ungraciousness displayed by the Irish rugby community that day. Caught a lot of NZers by surprise and changed a lot of opinions. Thanks for sharing that Guns.

It also more importantly summed up how dirty a side New Zealand were that day basically because they feared Ireland they forgot to play their own game and resorted to dirty play. Another ref could justifiably given the ABs three red cards.

I was in a café recently and asked the waitress where she was from and she said New Zealand. Nice lady so we got chatting and ended up talking about the match on Saturday. I was pleasantly surprised to hear her say that she wanted the ABs to win but not by playing dirty like they did the last time. She wasn't that confident that they had turned a corner in terms of discipline.

Ah here now, ye get games like that. I do believe that The All Blacks feared Ireland after their loss so did come out aggressive and yes, possibly could have seen some cards. That said, I do not think that the All Blacks came out to specifically take players out, they are not a dirty team. Ireland have also had moments when they could have got cards in other matches and didn't. For me, it all balances out in the end.

All forgotten for me, just looking forward to tomorrow now.

eirebilly wrote:Ah here now, ye get games like that. I do believe that The All Blacks feared Ireland after their loss so did come out aggressive and yes, possibly could have seen some cards. That said, I do not think that the All Blacks came out to specifically take players out, they are not a dirty team. Ireland have also had moments when they could have got cards in other matches and didn't. For me, it all balances out in the end.

All forgotten for me, just looking forward to tomorrow now.

In my comment I said they were dirty that day which I think you agree with. They weren't dirty at all in Chicago or in the previous game. It will be interesting to see how they are on Saturday.

I do not think that the All Blacks were dirty that day either to be fair. Very aggressive but not dirty.

Hmmmm........ the lingo from Joe - particularly about Bundee ....and the IRFU NZ tour talk earlier in the week.............. kinda makes me think Joe might be staying?

Think he'd like a stab at the New Zealand tour.................. with the underdog side.

If he went home to coach them, the ABs would have a good chance of winning one of those games, I reckon

eirebilly wrote:I do not think that the All Blacks were dirty that day either to be fair. Very aggressive but not dirty.

..."and yes, possibly could have seen some cards...."

Can't be diplomatic all the time, billy.  There are times you gotta call the cards that might ruin your opponent.  What cards might they have gotten?  Yellows?  Reds?

eirebilly wrote:I do not think that the All Blacks were dirty that day either to be fair. Very aggressive but not dirty.

I disagree and I reckon Schmidt does too based on how he talks about it and his reaction on the day.

Thing is Fly, we are looking at this game 2 years into the future whereby the rules have become a lot more stringent.

At the time, I thought that the Zeebo tackle was high and could have been a yellow or a penalty, the ref decided a penalty. Henshaw's hit, too me that deserved a yellow card at a minimum.

My point is, there is no point crying over spilt milk. This game was 2 years ago, I simply prefer to focus on tomorrows game.

What were the incidents? Cane and Fekitoa. Any others?

ebop wrote:What were the incidents? Cane and Fekitoa. Any others?

Shoulder charge from Dagg on Standers head.

Any others?

Do you recall Sexton targeting Beauden Barrett’s head with his elbow? And then doing a neck roll on him? Tut tut, dirty play.

eirebilly wrote:Thing is Fly, we are looking at this game 2 years into the future whereby the rules have become a lot more stringent.

At the time, I thought that the Zeebo tackle was high and could have been a yellow or a penalty, the ref decided a penalty. Henshaw's hit, too me that deserved a yellow card at a minimum.

My point is, there is no point crying over spilt milk. This game was 2 years ago, I simply prefer to focus on tomorrows game.

Well, I'm personally not crying over spilt milk, billy. I'm not remotely thinking about 2 years ago. But it was brought up and I'm just saying that something either is or it isn't. The ABs deserved cards or they didn't. All rugby teams play aggressively - if they're good at the game. It's a big physical game and aggression helps - but cards still get given for play above and beyond mere aggression.

But onward. If both teams play to their highest levels, it's going to be a bone-cruncher! And maybe Barnes should just leave his cards at home to save him the hassles of choosing which side to use them on.

Guns is having a good old cry over spilt milk. Guns, stop being a sook and look forward eh.

ebop wrote:Do you recall Sexton targeting Beauden Barrett’s head with his elbow? And then doing a neck roll on him? Tut tut, dirty play.

No that was a fair challenge. Not dangerous at all, unless you consider the type of contact you might get from a head massage dangerous. Barrett didn't even ground the ball. Phantom try.

Neck roll Guns, foul play. Penalty try and yellow card.

Which Haka are youse going to use on us, ebop?

I know there are different level ones:

The "You Ain't Worth it" Minnows mild version.
The "You Can Play Us but don't be Dumb Enough to Think You'll Win" more spicy version
The "We Respect You Enough to Want to Slice Your Head Off" version
... and the "We gonna kill You, your neighbours, your dog, your cat, your budgie, your postman, your casual acquaintances, your favourite old teachers, your drinking buddies and your damn car's engine!"

Dunno SecretFly, probably the “We Respect You Enough to Want to Slice Your Head Off" version. Given you guys play the silent game during penalties and hakas it should be a spectacle.

Was it at twickers where I saw a ‘please respect the kicker’ notice go up on the big screen the other day? Thought that was cute. Can’t recall if the crowd were obedient or not.

ebop wrote:Neck roll Guns, foul play. Penalty try and yellow card.

In your dreams lol. Aaron Smith would probably give you rougher contact with a haircut than there was contact with that challenge. No movement to Barrett's head or neck at all. If anything he should thank Sexton for the nice head rub.

Looks like its going to be dry and bright on Saturday which will suit Ireland's ball retention running game. Although once the defense in sucked in I expect a few contestable bombs to be sent in McKenzie's direction.

The tension rises. Hope I'm still going to love rugby after this weekend. Nothing on the planet depresses me as much as a rugby game badly lost.

Of course you will, it will be another chapter in a fierce new rivalry. Who remembers that England bunch? What about them guys eh

Brendan wrote:I know teams often say that they are missing people and if only they had those players they would have won.

Both these teams a near full strenght.  Aki and Henshaw isn't to bad and I think Aki will have a great game and may even wind up a few people.  Murray is the big lost but Marmion does lose us games and was there in Twickers which was a more pressure game than this one. O'Brien isn't first choice and needs to earn it back when he returns.

Not sure if NZ are missing anyone besides SBW who is the only player who does whatever he wants between WCs and walks back into the side.  I don't think he is that much better than his peers but he never seems to have to win the Shirt back so might be missed.

You might be surprised that many pundits in New Zealand prefer Ryan Crotty at 12, warching "The Breakdown" from NZ this week, they feel Crotty made a much bigger impact than SBW

I personally think Crotty is a better player than SBW. He probably isn't going to make as many Hollywood passes and probably doesn't look as nice on camera but I would select him ahead of SBW for his overall contribution. The ladies will miss SBW the most.

Collapse2005 wrote:Looks like its going to be dry and bright on Saturday which will suit Ireland's ball retention running game.

Yes, I agree. I really am feeling more confident the closer we get that we are going to see a big performance.

I don't think the soldier field game will be the one on Ireland minds, I think the 2013 loss is the one they'll be thinking about more. That one, along with the RWC loss to the Pumas really burns in Schmidt's mind I think.

I think if we can start strong and keep it tight, we can count on a strong finish with the bench we have.

There has been a real pattern of slow starts and strong finishes with this AB side so if they haven't rectified this it could cost them.

Yeah true however, if the ABs can get an early lead and build on it it would take something pretty special to come back from that.

You would figure if Ireland are 10pts up and given a penalty they will take the 3pts all day unless their lineout is dominating which is unlikely. Until you are three scores ahead you take them as they could get 2 tries in 5 mins and you are behind.

So excited yet so nervous

I think we will win, and win well.
I'm very excited,

Bad news. Dan Leavy is out.

I think that makes the job a lot harder. Although VdF is also some talent.

Best of luck Ireland, I'll be cheering you on from the pub. Nothing against NZ but it'll really make things interesting if Ireland win.

Losing Leavy imo is a huge blow. VdF is a cracking player though

No Henshaw, Murray or Leavy? Big ask going into a dry match on a ground the ABs have never lost on.

Mind you, my picks around England werent great so I could be wrong again. Hansens comments about trying anything and everything at this time- moves they havent perfected etc - as prep for next years world cup explain the high error rates so far as I think theyve been to scattergun, trying too many things when theyre not on.

Theyll do the same here and at some point some of its going to stick.

That's disappointing. He is in flying form. Hopefully just the flu or something and nothing more serious.

Collapse2005 wrote:

eirebilly wrote:I do not think that the All Blacks were dirty that day either to be fair. Very aggressive but not dirty.

I disagree and I reckon Schmidt does too based on how he talks about it and his reaction on the day.

Oh well, good thing not everyone agrees with you. Ireland took the challenge on as did the ABs who came back firing, but perhaps youre not yet familiar with what it takes to be the number one side? Bit too rough for you was it?

ABs have just about about always have a number 2 or 3 breathing down their necks so they are used to fronting these games. Weve had tougher and more physical matches versis the Boks over the years.

You seem to think challenging for the top position has some romantic notion to it all and that everyones going to get along. ABs fronted physically that day and in doing so repelled the challenge, within the rules of the game.

Instead of moaning about it endlessly how about hardening up and NOT moaning about it. Take it like a man and move on. Your team and obviously some supporters have, while youre still wallowing in self pity two years later. ‘Those bad meany meany All Blacks’... aww shucks.

Welcome to the main arena chump, not a place for softies.

Should be a great game tomorrow between the two best sides in the world.

Fancy Ireland to win, with home advantage and seeing as how New Zealand were nothing special last week.

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

eirebilly wrote:I do not think that the All Blacks were dirty that day either to be fair. Very aggressive but not dirty.

I disagree and I reckon Schmidt does too based on how he talks about it and his reaction on the day.

Oh well, good thing not everyone agrees with you. Ireland took the challenge on as did the ABs who came back firing, but perhaps youre not yet familiar with what it takes to be the number one side? Bit too rough for you was it?

ABs have just about about always have a number 2 or 3 breathing down their necks so they are used to fronting these games. Weve had tougher and more physical matches versis the Boks over the years.

You seem to think challenging for the top position has some romantic notion to it all and that everyones going to get along. ABs fronted physically that day and in doing so repelled the challenge, within the rules of the game.

Instead of moaning about it endlessly how about hardening up and NOT moaning about it. Take it like a man and move on. Your team and obviously some supporters have, while youre still wallowing in self pity two years later. ‘Those bad meany meany All Blacks’... aww shucks.

Welcome to the main arena chump, not a place for softies.

100+

NZ certainly weren't dirty against us. They play hard and push the limits....yes they laid all over the breakdown, off feet a lot etc....but they didn't get pinged. That's what makes them so good, they know how to push things.

VDF is a fine player and if not for his injury would have been ahead of Leavy. Playing well with players missing is more important than winning by 20pts. We believe we have strenght in our squad, now we will see.

Taylorman wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:

eirebilly wrote:I do not think that the All Blacks were dirty that day either to be fair. Very aggressive but not dirty.

I disagree and I reckon Schmidt does too based on how he talks about it and his reaction on the day.

Oh well, good thing not everyone agrees with you. Ireland took the challenge on as did the ABs who came back firing, but perhaps youre not yet familiar with what it takes to be the number one side? Bit too rough for you was it?

ABs have just about about always have a number 2 or 3 breathing down their necks so they are used to fronting these games. Weve had tougher and more physical matches versis the Boks over the years.

You seem to think challenging for the top position has some romantic notion to it all and that everyones going to get along. ABs fronted physically that day and in doing so repelled the challenge, within the rules of the game.

Instead of moaning about it endlessly how about hardening up and NOT moaning about it. Take it like a man and move on. Your team and obviously some supporters have, while youre still wallowing in self pity two years later. ‘Those bad meany meany All Blacks’... aww shucks.

Welcome to the main arena chump, not a place for softies.

There are plenty of people who do believe the ABs were dirty that day too including New Zealanders. I don't need your endorsement nor do I value your opinion all that much anyway.

I'm not remotely interesting in getting along with everyone, haven't you noticed?  More interested in saying it as I see it even if that means people have the odd meltdown as a result.

Its not about being soft, though Im sure you are really tough you don't need to prove yourself to me. Its about the referee applying the laws.

Both Irishmen Stander and Hendshaw left the field because of contact to the head. Peyper was totally out of his depth that day and Ireland paid the price. Hopefully Barnes has a better day on Saturday but I fear he will not.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:NZ certainly weren't dirty against us. They play hard and push the limits....yes they laid all over the breakdown, off feet a lot etc....but they didn't get pinged. That's what makes them so good, they know how to push things.

They weren't alright, though no one had to get stretchered off the field after getting a flying shoulder to the face.

Collapse2005 wrote:Bad news. Dan Leavy is out.

I think that makes the job a lot harder. Although VdF is also some talent.

That is bad news, VDF is a good replacement though. Who is on the bench?

Murphy

Still a strong backrow and bench, as much as I rate Leavy it doesn't change my view of the game.

Collapse2005 wrote:

Sgt_Pooly wrote:NZ certainly weren't dirty against us. They play hard and push the limits....yes they laid all over the breakdown, off feet a lot etc....but they didn't get pinged. That's what makes them so good, they know how to push things.

They weren't alright, though no one had to get stretchered off the field after getting a flying shoulder to the face.

You mean as Naholo did last year? Hows that arm SOB?

At least we can laugh. Anyway, good luck with the game, I think you, particularly, are going to need it if youre expecting a nice gentle game of rugby.

With Ireland as the current ball hogging champs, the ABs are going to want some of it, and big hits are one way to get it. So if youre squeamish, look away