Ireland vs New Zealand 8th November

Ireland (15-1):

Hugo Keenan, Mack Hansen, Garry Ringrose, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Caelan Doris (capt), Josh van der Flier, Tadhg Beirne, James Ryan, Joe McCarthy, Finlay Bealham, Ronan Kelleher, Andrew Porter.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Cian Healy, Tom O'Toole, Iain Henderson, Peter O'Mahony, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Jamie Osborne.

New Zealand (1-15)

1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Asafo Aumua, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (Captain), 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Wallace Sititi, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Ardie Savea (Vice-Captain), 9. Cortez Ratima, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jordie Barrett (Vice-Captain), 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele’a, 15. Will Jordan

Replacements: 16. George Bell, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Patrick Tuipulotu, 20. Samipeni Finau, 21. Cam Roigard, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Stephen Perofeta

Sorry, this is supposed to be a match thread, rather than a retro thread, but I enjoyed Andrew Trimble talk about Chicago in the early part of this show (from around the 3:30 mark).

I'm concerned about this game. Our bench forwards just won't pack the same punch NZs will and that could very well cost us the game

Im looking forward to watching it. Should be a cracker of a game

TJ wrote:Im looking forward to watching it.  Should be a cracker of a game

I agree, me too. Should be fun.

Never write NZ off, but just a six day turnaround from a high intensity game v England, and missing Barrett through injury is going to make this very tough for them. Plus, they were so error-strewn v England. Huge improvement required.

All the NZ players bending down to shake the president's hand

Another uniquely Irish occasion

Did they just play the Maori verse of the NZ anthem? Bit disrespectful! Players were looking confused

Pretty soft pen that

Aviva seems strangely flat atmosphere wise. Lengthy pre match formalities didn't help.

Scrappy game also not helping.

Not the intensity were used to from this game!

Not sure about these new interpretations of obstruction when chasing kicks. Not sure what the chasing players can do now.

It does make the kicking option more appealing though although that could mean more kicking to get more penalties....not exactly making the game more exciting.

All Blacks really sloppy in the rucks - not cleaning out properly, several times with no 9 and players not reacting.

I know it's slippy but it's slowing things right down.

Should have had a few more penalties from Ireland not rolling though IMO

ABs ball handling and decision making a bit off point so far. Let's see if Ireland can take advantage. The ABs have mucked up a few forays into the Ireland 22.

Not sure the ref got that squint throw call right - don't think Ireland competed. Annoyingly there's been no replay to check.

All with the ABs this half - can they score?

So many mistakes by NZ

Ireland are definitely under pressure though

Ireland scrum is creaking more than my bed on Valentines Day!

Some more strange calls from the ref... Clarke kicks it from outside the 22 straight out, claims it was touched. Turns out it wasn't touched but Berry still puts the lineout at halfway instead of bringing it back...

Ireland living dangerously here, the ref is on them

9-3 NZ and you can't argue about that score

Maine man wrote:Ireland scrum is creaking more than my bed on Valentines Day!

The weight of all those empty ice cream tubs and beer bottles causing havoc with the springs?

Yellow? Maybe

That is a huge yellow/red. Was it that severe?

It's amazing how 1 minute of play can change the course of a match! ABs were about to go into HT 6 points up and relatively content with their half.

Instead Ireland will be much the happier team - they've done hee haw all game so far but are only 3 points down and are a man up!

Certainly not been a classic so far this game

Only 3 down at half time is good considering the chances NZ have had and our own inaccuracies.
Think NZ stronger forwards to bring on are going to make the difference. Healy Henderson and POM just ain't the players they were

doctor_grey wrote:That is a huge yellow/red.  Was it that severe?

Yellow only IMO - only barely caught the chin and there was a bit of a drop from both players

Not many chances in the NZ half. They are down a man. Why not stick it in the corner. Go all pack into the lineout. If the Kiwis match you then play out to the backs of they don't you've got a man advantage for the rolling maul. Knocking over 3 points just kills 30+ seconds of the sin bin period and Ireland are still behind on the scoreboard.

certainly a yellow - upright and head contact. Should remain yellow - most of the impact on the shoulder and player going down. You would think players would learn not to tackle upright!

Rather disappointing half so far.

carpet baboon wrote:Yellow? Maybe

Think it will stay yellow.

Ireland better play better than that in the second half if they want to win this game

BigGee wrote:Ireland better play better than that in the second half if they want to win this game

It's certainly noticeable that NZ played a tough test match last weekend and Ireland didn't. NZ look more cohesive even against all the Irish pressure.

This hasn't turned out to be the game I expected so far ...

TJ wrote:certainly a yellow - upright and head contact.  Should remain yellow - most of the impact on the shoulder and player going down.  You would think players would learn not to tackle upright!

Rather disappointing half so far.

As a neutral I have enjoyed it, quality hasn't been there yet but it feels like a tight knock out game.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

BigGee wrote:Ireland better play better than that in the second half if they want to win this game

It's certainly noticeable that NZ played a tough test match last weekend and Ireland didn't. NZ look more cohesive even against all the Irish pressure.

Yes, surprising Ireland did not have a warm up for this game, they do look a little rusty

We need to hold onto the ball for a bit. Let NZ have the ball for long enough and they will score

carpet baboon wrote:We need to hold onto the ball for a bit. Let NZ have the ball for long enough and they will score

Especially important for Ireland to take advantage of the man up (which should stay yellow)

Card stay yellow

Ireland couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to start the half!

That's better

Ireland taking advantage of the YC and finally showing some composure

13-9 Ireland

Good job for that penalty for NZ as they were all over the place there

Gane has turned on its head

Giving away too many penalties

That was some composure from Damian MacKenzie

What a kick McKenzie - he's become a real world class kicker in the lear year

Here we go again, a Northern Hemisphere crowd starts booing everytime the ref penalises the home team. Plus any foul by the opposition you swear they pulled out a gun and started shooting by the way the crowd moans and jeers.

Then starting AB scrum half didn't appear to be usual AB standard, you think?

So many stupid mistakes

A very un Ireland performance with so many basic errors

doctor_grey wrote:Then starting AB scrum half didn't appear to be usual AB standard, you think?

He was so far out of his depth tonight.

doctor_grey wrote:Then starting AB scrum half didn't appear to be usual AB standard, you think?

Think Ireland were clever in when the attacked the rucks to not give him easy ball

protea438 wrote:Here we go again, a Northern Hemisphere crowd starts booing everytime the ref penalises the home team. Plus any foul by the opposition you swear they pulled out a gun and started shooting by the way the crowd moans and jeers.

That basically happens at every game anywhere...