Dave Cahill wrote: ↑August 26th, 2021, 11:25 pm
A propos of nothing, this discussion is about a chap who has one start, lasting 46 minutes, 5 years ago, as a senior professional loosehead.
Carry on.
And at the time it was his provincial specialist coach, that pushed for the move across. That same coach now happens to be Porter's current international specialist coach. I can see why people see this as a quick fix that could play out well, but I think the downside is too great.
It's about risk/reward though isn't it? There's a capped downside because worst comes to worst he fails to adapt to LH again and wastes a year.
But the upside is huge. It's pretty much guaranteeing him a starting spot for Leinster & Ireland for years if it goes well.
There has been some strange commentary up above that he's not a good carrier for LH. I'm not sure where that's coming from, because having him, Furlong and Kelleher/Sheahan in a front row would be an incredible option.
We've heard lots of talk about the size of Leinster's pack not being enough to compete at the highest level and how a 2nd row signing would be required. Maybe this move is an option to get another top class power athlete onto the pitch in the pack.
ronk wrote: ↑August 27th, 2021, 8:57 am
Bit like that Carbery fella being a break-glass scrumhalf. Again let the Ireland squad have extra depth elsewhere for the RWC.
Not a realistic suggestion for a career move.
It’s not really like that at all though.
You may have been too busy watching Greg McGrath tear it up at Connacht to notice this recently but this would be a good example fo how it might work. This guy hadn’t played loosehead for ages and then moved across to destroy the Lions scrum and turn the series around.
Dave Cahill wrote: ↑August 26th, 2021, 11:25 pm
A propos of nothing, this discussion is about a chap who has one start, lasting 46 minutes, 5 years ago, as a senior professional loosehead.
Carry on.
Bit like that Carbery fella being a break-glass scrumhalf. Again let the Ireland squad have extra depth elsewhere for the RWC.
Not a realistic suggestion for a career move.
It’s not really like that at all though.
You may have been too busy watching Greg McGrath tear it up at Connacht to notice this recently but this would be a good example fo how it might work. This guy hadn’t played loosehead for ages and then moved across to destroy the Lions scrum and turn the series around.
I'm sometimes prescient but I can't see the actual future. McGrath has had a good year, I'm happy for the lad. My original point was obviously about how he shot past guys with years in the pro setup in other provinces with a relatively short run in the Leinster setup and how that's a factor that other raw young players should consider.
SA were able to take a risk on seeing if they could move him across because they had so much depth already. Ireland would just be setting ourselves up to collapse like the Lions in the 2nd test if we moved Porter across.
If we had Vincent Koch on the bench already it would be a totally different conversation.
Bit like that Carbery fella being a break-glass scrumhalf. Again let the Ireland squad have extra depth elsewhere for the RWC.
Not a realistic suggestion for a career move.
It’s not really like that at all though.
You may have been too busy watching Greg McGrath tear it up at Connacht to notice this recently but this would be a good example fo how it might work. This guy hadn’t played loosehead for ages and then moved across to destroy the Lions scrum and turn the series around.
I'm sometimes prescient but I can't see the actual future. McGrath has had a good year, I'm happy for the lad. My original point was obviously about how he shot past guys with years in the pro setup in other provinces with a relatively short run in the Leinster setup and how that's a factor that other raw young players should consider.
I just can’t buy this, the wording wasn’t ambiguous and the explanation is too ropey.
SA were able to take a risk on seeing if they could move him across because they had so much depth already. Ireland would just be setting ourselves up to collapse like the Lions in the 2nd test if we moved Porter across.
I don’t really understand your logic in thinking that it’s okay for them to take a risk with their starting loosehead but Ireland couldn’t also take a risk with a sub tighthead. But anyway, the point was that a nominal TH with experience at LH can move across and do a really great job. If big Trev can do it then Porter can too. You said you think Porter is a better TH than LH but as Wixfjord pointed out that’s based on 200 minutes of pro rugby as a 20/21 year old. Previous to that he had two seasons as an under 20 including one standout in a team that got to the JWC final. Again, totally understand why you wouldn’t want to move him, but it’s reasonable to think he could make a good go of it.
If we had Vincent Koch on the bench already it would be a totally different conversation.
In a year’s time after being forced to develop others then we might. If not and it hasn’t worked then he can move back. Big deal.
If there are two ways to interpret what someone says do you A: choose the interpretation that’s absurd and vehemently disagree with it or B: choose the sensible interpretation and think that maybe the poster could have been clearer. I guess it could have been.
Everyone knows that Greg McGrath hasn’t played for Connacht yet and my explanation entirely fits with the context of the discussion at the time. We were talking about Sam Illo before his move to Connacht was confirmed and we knew he was bypassing the academy. If you remember the original post then it’s puzzling that you would take it out of context.
If we had a tight head as good as Vincent Koch coming into the squad if we tried moving Porter then the risk level would be much much lower. Nyakane was a pro loosehead, Springbok and older than Porter when he moved to tighthead. Fair enough he’s a success story but the more natural comparison would be moving John Ryan back to loosehead, he’s the same age as Nyakane and has a few years of pro loosehead work to fall back on.
Looking forward to see Alaalatoa play. Given his profile I'm hoping he's impactful quickly but I'm also mindful of the way guys like Stan Wright, Tomane and Strauss improved with conditioning.
Taking this from elsewhere, but think Leinster could do worse than looking at Bobby Sheehan again, still just 21, very impressive in this game at hooker before moving to 6 in 2nd half, darts, carrying, big hits defensively.
mildlyinterested wrote: ↑September 9th, 2021, 8:02 am
Taking this from elsewhere, but think Leinster could do worse than looking at Bobby Sheehan again, still just 21, very impressive in this game at hooker before moving to 6 in 2nd half, darts, carrying, big hits defensively.
mildlyinterested wrote: ↑September 9th, 2021, 8:02 am
Taking this from elsewhere, but think Leinster could do worse than looking at Bobby Sheehan again, still just 21, very impressive in this game at hooker before moving to 6 in 2nd half, darts, carrying, big hits defensively.
mildlyinterested wrote: ↑September 9th, 2021, 8:02 am
Taking this from elsewhere, but think Leinster could do worse than looking at Bobby Sheehan again, still just 21, very impressive in this game at hooker before moving to 6 in 2nd half, darts, carrying, big hits defensively.
Am I correct in saying he never got an academy place? After they tried him out at TH?
yeah he didn't get a place, they took McKee over him at hooker.. not sure how seriously he was looked at as a TH.
I think he was very unfortunate to miss out on u20 caps due to covid and then missing the AIL last season.. one to watch this season, his brother only really emerged as a prospect at 21/22, biggest concern to me with him seems to be is he too tall for the position to be an effective scrummager.
Birch on Twitter saying Healy is trying out for tighthead.
I'm relying on someone here to explain me the logic in our international player in a position where we are short moving to another position, where we already have three internationals.
it's a rumour thats been going around, it makes no sense and would make you question what exactly going on in irish rugby with Porter, Healy, Furlong etc.
The only reason that would make sense is that Healy/others think it's a feasible way to extend his career as he slows down. A hand injury (a problem before) could also do it (a tightheads bind can be just for show).
ronk wrote: ↑September 10th, 2021, 2:34 pm
No way would that be considered short term.
The only reason that would make sense is that Healy/others think it's a feasible way to extend his career as he slows down. A hand injury (a problem before) could also do it (a tightheads bind can be just for show).
"No way...". That would mean zero, nada...not even where there are 3 unavailable TH's from a senior panel of 5. I wish I had your self-confidence.
Last edited by backrower8 on September 10th, 2021, 5:37 pm, edited 1 time in total.
ronk wrote: ↑September 10th, 2021, 2:34 pm
No way would that be considered short term.
The only reason that would make sense is that Healy/others think it's a feasible way to extend his career as he slows down. A hand injury (a problem before) could also do it (a tightheads bind can be just for show).
A tightheads bind is fundamental to how they can manipulate their opponent. If anything, bind matters less as a LH.
