Ireland v Fiji

[johng]

That is one hell of an innexperienced team if true.

[ronk]

Part of a plan to run over Fiji...

[Ruckedtobits]

Part of a plan to run over Fiji...

Wrong option for beating Fiji. Deprive them of ball and then execute basics of getting an extra-man or mis-match. Hope they have not targeted this game as it will be difficult to adjust mid-match.

[paddyor]

[neiliog93]

It's a good team, they're not risking James Ryan or Kilcoyne. Dillane and Treadwell to start together in the row would have been too callow and pressurised our already suspect line-out. Bent not trusted on the bench which is a bit harsh but I think Healy and Furlong are there as insurance against the possible but unlikely event of Fiji producing one of their special performances and being in the lead with 20 minutes to go. Ditto Robbie Henshaw being on the bench ahead of Adam Byrne and O'Loughlin, and even Stander getting the nod ahead of Reidy for the sub back row slot.

[fourthirtythree]

Much of the bench has a "break glass in case" feel about it...

[Oldschool]

Much of the bench has a "break glass in case" feel about it...

Won't happen - the need for glass breaking, I mean.
That team has been playing against the first 15 in training for the last two weeks and no doubt this week as well.
I would expect a very polished performance from that team and Joe will demand it.
I'm really sorry for Bent but he was only in for cover because Ryan was injured.

[Ruckedtobits]

Much of the bench has a "break glass in case" feel about it...

+1.
With the team so inexperienced, it is essential that JS has the option to grab what he needs from the bench and take the game back to Ireland if necessary.

Fiji are ranked 9th in the world and they have acquired that ranking by some good victories. Samoa, Tonga, Scotland (27-24 in Jun 2017) etc. and some of the most attacking players who are playing in the N Hemisphere. No shortage of talent, but usually they miss out on teamwork.

Not frightened to face them with this group but beware giving them confidence because they can thrive on it.

[CiaranIrl]

Is Nadolo playing? I'd fear for Carberry a small bit, but confident otherwise.

[simonokeeffe]

Is 6 Leinster forwards starting a record?

[blockhead]

Is "6 Leinster forwards starting" a record?

I think it made the charts back in the 70's.

[blockhead]

Fiji (v Ireland)

15. Kini Murimurivalu
14. Timoci Nagusa
13. Jale Vatabua
12. Levani Botia
11. Nemani Nadolo
10. Ben Volavola
9. Henry Senioli

1. Campese Ma’afu
2. Talemaitoga Tuapati
3. Manasa Saulo
4. Apisalome Ratuniyarawa
5. Leone Nakarawa
6. Dominiko Waqaniboruto
7. Akapusi Qera
8. Nemani Nagusa

Replacements:

16. Sunia Koto
17. Peni Ravai
18. Kalivati Tawake
19. Sikeli Nabou
20. Peceli Yato / Semi Kunatani
21. Niko Matawalu
22. Asaeli Tikoirotuma
23. Vereniki Goneva

[Xanthippe]

Is 6 Leinster forwards starting a record?

No - under Joe it's the 5th time after:

• South Africa (08/11/2014)
  France (14/02/2015)
  Romania (27/09/2015)
  Japan (24/06/2017)

Also, it's the third time (after the France and Romania games) that we also have three forwards on the bench making a total of 9 forwards from the match day 13.


PS: We never had 6 starters in the pack under Kidney but we did manage 5 starters on three occasions

[neiliog93]

Strong Fijian team, I see Nadolo is a late call-up on the wing (good luck Darren Sweetnam..). Their big weakness is their sub tight five players, where we're very strong. But the starting tight five is actually decent. Could be a tough game. Let's hope for rain because that is one sexy backline they have.

[Oldschool]

Is "6 Leinster forwards starting" a record?

I think it made the charts back in the 70's.

Likely candidates.
Tom Feighery Con Feighery Slattery Duggan Deering
Hooker who's name escapes me at the moment John ANOther
Kevin Mays possible

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Is 6 Leinster forwards starting a record?

No, we usually have 8 of them when Fardy isn't involved.

[enby]

Is "6 Leinster forwards starting" a record?

I think it made the charts back in the 70's.

Likely candidates.
Tom Feighery Con Feighery Slattery Duggan Deering
Hooker who's name escapes me at the moment John ANOther
Kevin Mays possible

Cantrell

[sunshiner1]

I like the team and I understand the need to have the likes of Healy etc on the bench but I really wish Joe hadn't picked Furlong on the bench. I think Bent could have done the job just as well without risking Furlong and having him totally rested to face Argentina.

[Oldschool]

[quote="blockhead" and "simonokeeffe"]Is "6 Leinster forwards starting" a record?

I think it made the charts back in the 70's.

Likely candidates.
Tom Feighery Con Feighery Slattery Duggan Deering
Hooker who's name escapes me at the moment John ANOther
Kevin Mays possible

Cantrell[/quote]
That's the man. Well remembered.

[fourthirtythree]

Going by the reaction to Bent's callup on the social internet media Herbst has stayed fit for more than 6 minutes and not been outplayed by Ah Here, and Bealham swallowed Paul Wallace overnight and hasnt been accordioned in half the games this season

Bent has played really well this season and definitely deserves the nod. <snip>

In any furore over Bent what gets missed, I think, is the actual salient point: Schmidt is prioritising the future to an extent that Porter is starting. Porter's started only a couple of times for us and here he is starting an international. He's been a tighthead for a wet weekend. That's both a real show of faith but more importantly I think, a demonstration of wilingness to risk in order to build.

The sensible selection to win tomorrow would be Bent. Yet Schmidt chooses Porter. It's the kind of brave selection decision that Ireland's November international series call for. And yes I do mean if we ever hope to achieve anything in the World Cup. It's why he chose Ryan (out of favour to some extent at Munster) over Archer (who against the odds has developed into a semi-competent player. I mean no offence but when he was being subbed by the ref for his own safety against our academy you would not have taken bets on that) who will not be a serious international prospect at the world cup.

And I believe that you could same about Zebo's ommission: it's a brave, future focused, selection decision. And I do think it's a gamble, but one well worth taking.

Is Nadolo playing? I'd fear for Carberry a small bit, but confident otherwise.

It's Devin's job to hunt him down like he did in the RDS (to be fair, the centre pairing tomorrow should be able to lend a hand).