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

Losing Leavy means we'll be a bit weaker at the breakdown and in lonk play but VDF is a tackling machine and brings huge linespeed in defense.He also seems to have bulked up and is a decent ball carrier. I would prefer Leavy but only just and maybe VDF can put a bit more pressure on Barrett so it's not a huge loss thankfully. Murphy also adds great versatility to the bench.

asoreleftshoulder wrote:Losing Leavy means we'll be a bit weaker at the breakdown and in lonk play but VDF is a tackling machine and brings huge linespeed in defense.He also seems to have bulked up and is a decent ball carrier. I would prefer Leavy but only just and maybe VDF can put a bit more pressure on Barrett so it's not a huge loss thankfully. Murphy also adds great versatility to the bench.

Good points, Farrell has already done his homework on Barrett and VDF must be automatically one of the keys there. ABs have seen this defence before so will have their own ideas but the wider plan still seems to be to try anything and everything, winning the match not the sole benefit to be gained here. Bigger fish next year and few matches of this calibre left to try things out.

Irelands defence and ball hogging are the two undo’s the ABs need to work out tonight. We’ll probably see more parity at set piece time.

Don't forget the lineout. Interested to see what New Zealand do. Argentina targeted it and it paid dividends. Australia played the Welsh game of keeping the ball in play and as the Welsh often do, disrupted Ireland.

Good luck ireland, i hope you manage what we couldn't and beat them.

Engine#4 wrote:Don't forget the lineout. Interested to see what New Zealand do. Argentina targeted it and it paid dividends. Australia played the Welsh game of keeping the ball in play and as the Welsh often do, disrupted Ireland.

Well we targeted the english lineout and Itoje ended up getting ripped by Brodie just about every time. Itll certainly be a target here, whitelock, brodie and read rarely get bettered there.

Irish defence concerns me most, that Farrells who I think is really the key to Irelands success. If NZ could pick from any coach outside NZ I reckon we’d bypass all our own and take Farrell.

Re the ball hogging we’ll be looking to turn that over as much as possible.

Going to be a very i teresting match. Lets hope both sides bring it.

This match is all about discipline. It will be nothing like Dublin 2016, where NZ had a game plan of hurting Ireland - not indiscipline.

Everyone knows the ABs are the best resourced side in World Rugby in terms of depth and Hansen will be wanting to try his moves and players under as much rugby pressure as he can face, so he won't be as manic about winning this at any cost. However they currently have a few hotheads in their ranks who could cost them the game if they drop their bundle!

Discipline indeed with Barnes. I hope the ABs come in with cool heads after the haka because there’s been too many games lately where we’ve shipped early points to go into a hole. We can’t keep doing this and hope for a massive comeback especially with Ireland. If these November tests are about putting ourselves under RWC type pressure then now is about time to play a knockout type game plan to secure a win.

Despite popular opinion the haka can be a drain on the individual if they get too carried away with it.

Thats how I saw the AIs, a chance to practise knockout rugby. England then Ireland is the sort of setup that is as close to a knockout run bar the RC next year. England get SA then NZ...very realistic couple o& matches...not suggesting anything though. Ireland as well, Argie then ABs.

Huge ask sans the Tank, Murray and Henshaw but I still think NZ are creaking and Ireland will show they have as many gears under the cosh as the MIB. Ireland for me by the skin of a virgin's #$%^&*

A fair bit of respect for Ireland for this match out this way. Partially due to Schmidt, the 6N, Irelands consistency, depth in some positions.

Nice to see a breakfast kick off time for us for a change. Night match. Something all S rugby and ABs play when in NZ. Come to think of it, cant recall a single day time domestic S rugby or test match in 20 years.

I've got a feeling that Ireland are going to see how big the gulf still is between nz and the rest of the world. Yes it may be closing but there is still some way to go imo. I hope I'm proved wrong

It's possible. When I think of New Zealand I think their players are so well rounded. A New Zealand forward gets the ball in midfield and he is probably capable of trucking it up, taking contact and offloading, stepping a man, or firing a 15 yard skip pass outside. That is very difficult to defend against.

However a NZ player is not always the best on the pitch in the skills traditional to their position (though a few are). For example Savea is a better all round player than Van der Flier. He could play anywhere across the backrow and probably beyond. But I look at them and I'm glad it's VDF at 7 for Ireland.

Is Savea a better all round player? Im not convinced at all. Bigger and stronger maybe but Id take any of our 7s over him.

Taylorman wrote:Despite popular opinion the haka can be a drain on the individual if they get too carried away with it.

Talking to an Irish audience, Justin Marshall noted that opposition teams often seem to like to take some time after the haka to let it defuse, perhaps by slowly taking their tracksuits off before the game starts. He wondered if it might be better to get to the kick-off straight away, precisely because some New Zealand players can get too fired up during the haka, and so might not have their focus in the right place. He volunteered that it mght not make a difference either way, but that would be how he would handle it.

Maine man wrote:I've got a feeling that Ireland are going to see how big the gulf still is between nz and the rest of the world. Yes it may be closing but there is still some way to go imo. I hope I'm proved wrong

We'll see. The gulf didn't appear to be too big last week, and this Ireland team are a lot better than the England side which took to the field last Saturday.

Last week was wet weather, England had a great start which put them 15 points ahead, that was also the last points they scored after the first quarter it was all New Zealand.

One match does not predict what happens in the next.

Different opponent, different conditions, different circumstances.

We will just have to wait and see.

As long as we all keep losing vs Nz, the gulf is there.

Rugby Fan wrote:

Taylorman wrote:Despite popular opinion the haka can be a drain on the individual if they get too carried away with it.

Talking to an Irish audience, Justin Marshall noted that opposition teams often seem to like to take some time after the haka to let it defuse, perhaps by slowly taking their tracksuits off before the game starts. He wondered if it might be better to get to the kick-off straight away, precisely because some New Zealand players can get too fired up during the haka, and so might not have their focus in the right place. He volunteered that it mght not make a difference either way, but that would be how he would handle it.

Yeah its not the physical aspects of the haka, its the loud almost screaming chant that can have you seeing stars. That only lasts a minute or so max so Id agree. Be ready to kick the ball off as soon as its finished and pile into them. But hey, as long as the perceived advantage is there, some sides might be missing out on exactly what theyre wanting, some advantage.

Dry no wind, no excuses for NZ available.

Collapse2005 wrote:Dry no wind, no excuses for NZ available.

They'll wait for the result before they find the excuse

Pie wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Dry no wind, no excuses for NZ available.

They'll wait for the result before they find the excuse

There is just no end to this baiting, is there?

Biltong wrote:

Pie wrote:

Collapse2005 wrote:Dry no wind, no excuses for NZ available.

They'll wait for the result before they find the excuse

There is just no end to this baiting, is there?

Nerves biltong. These guys havent had their team challenge from no. 2

Just like there’ll be no excuses fir injuries

Kirwan starts off being surprised that in his walk down town this morning they were already pouring guinesses!.

Par for the course Id have thought.

Great night for sport. Ronnie O’Sullivan just capped a huge final frame off Selby to win the semi of the Irish open after slipping up.

Now theres a trie genius!

I bet you Damien McKenzie loved meeting the Irish president!

ABs kicking and mixong it up, no ball for Ireland yet except the ball they kicked away.

Crowd getting into it

Iteland contesting well, defending well, both as expected.

NZ got very sucked into that...if it isn't working route 1 then get it wide quick dont keep going route 1 doh

Maine man wrote:I bet you Damien McKenzie loved meeting the Irish president!

So they both played test rugby? Or is one just a short fulla?

Why on earthe is Barnes yelling ‘outside the 22?’ So he can assist the decision to kick?

NZ read the rules ffs!! Card pretty soon

Taylorman wrote:Why on earthe is Barnes yelling ‘outside the 22?’ So he can assist the decision to kick?

Pretty standard thing referees do these days - 'inside' or 'outside'.

Great start from both sides. ABs pushing the envelope more, penalised more. Irish defence is good, something the ABs will try to break down so the subs can take advantage%

Ireland's discipline immense, New Zealand not so much.

Good chase Goodhue, McKenzie. Good turnover ABs.

Taylorman wrote:Why on earthe is Barnes yelling ‘outside the 22?’ So he can assist the decision to kick?

most referees communicate that, even the horrendous Poite

Good kick barrett, 100% intact so far.

I expect these Irish commentators to have an orgasm at any moment now

Watching this after Sco v SA is so much higher standard

cynical under pressure

card surely

6-1 count, so much for Barnes disliking Ireland

Kiwis very fortunate to get away with no yellow card, there. Six penalties conceded already.

Cracking game. NZ get away with 2 yellows in as many minutes

Taylorman wrote:6-1 count, so much for Barnes disliking Ireland

yes but Ireland aren't cheating

Lost forward. Would have been a scrappy try to give that.

Reid trying to referee the game, Barnes telling him to go away.

No try, but Ireland getting closer.

Pie wrote:

Taylorman wrote:6-1 count, so much for Barnes disliking Ireland

yes but Ireland aren't cheating

Oh, so only when he penalises Ireland its actually him and not Ireland. Get it now thought that was the case.

Barrett the droppie king

Stuart Barnes comes out and has a go at Barret not dropping goals. Hes niw 2 from 2 matches. Thanks Barnsey

Savea, good turnover.

Taylorman wrote:Barrett the droppie king

Surprised he did that but guess it shows what they think

Irelands one ups are taking its toll on both sides. Best use of the bench is going to be critical after 50-60 minutes.