Tour to NZ 2022

[matt]

Would have liked to see Frawley taken off after 50 mins on Tuesday and then selected on bench for the 3rd test.

Ireland have progressed hugely but nz know if Sexton does not play min 70 mins that they can exploit Carburys lack of current form and defensive weakness. Nz are much stronger on the wings with Will Jordan and Reece and the only way we have a chance is to dominate possession and avoid loose kicking.

Can’t praise the whole squad for their efforts to date. Farrell wanted to test the players over 3 consecutive weeks of the most demanding environment and they have done that but just have a feeling the team will need a bit of freshness and that a stronger fully fit 23 plus better front row back up strength would be needed to win this and that players like Kelleher, Ringrose, Henderson, Hume, Baloucoune, Timoney, Frawley might have provided some alternative were they available or selected.

As O’Gara and others have pointed out your bench is vital to use earlier than Ireland traditionally does. It’s asking a lot for Sexton, Furlong and Porter to play almost full games,

[jezzer]

I really hope that the Kiwi's don't take Sexton out early in the match as Carberry doesn't inspire on the match control or defensive front. I hope that Wayne Barnes pays attention to the 'hits' on Sexton.

Paying attention to hits is after the event and too late. We need to set up our defensive line so that Bundee, JVdF or Henshaw are taking all 'crash-ball' merchants & J10 is somewhere wider looking for side-on tackles not head-to-head encounters. That's largely down to J10 who is far too headstrong in defence.

His job must be to mop up, not lead, the attack. That's largely down to Jonno's rugby intelligence which must tell him that his job on Saturday is to be capable of staying on the pitch for 80 mins, unless he's preventing a NZ try.

They're not really mutually exclusive though. The ref and TMO can keep an eye on late hits while Sexton keeps an eye on himself. I don't think it's in him in the slightest to take a step back in any department, let alone something as key as leading the attack. It's near impossible for any player to mind themselves and still put in a winning performance against a world-topping team. I don't think it would enter his mind to do anything but go flat out for this last big test of the year.

I do think he could make a strategic decision to not try to strip the ball or hold the player up for a maul when he goes in high. It's asking to get a cheap high shot and then end up twisting something in the mess of bodies below. Let the guys with lower centres of gravity and more leg strength do the holding up.

[dropkick]

Would have liked to see Frawley taken off after 50 mins on Tuesday and then selected on bench for the 3rd test.

Ireland have progressed hugely but nz know if Sexton does not play min 70 mins that they can exploit Carburys lack of current form and defensive weakness. Nz are much stronger on the wings with Will Jordan and Reece and the only way we have a chance is to dominate possession and avoid loose kicking.

Can’t praise the whole squad for their efforts to date. Farrell wanted to test the players over 3 consecutive weeks of the most demanding environment and they have done that but just have a feeling the team will need a bit of freshness and that a stronger fully fit 23 plus better front row back up strength would be needed to win this and that players like Kelleher, Ringrose, Henderson, Hume, Baloucoune, Timoney, Frawley might have provided some alternative were they available or selected.

As O’Gara and others have pointed out your bench is vital to use earlier than Ireland traditionally does. It’s asking a lot for Sexton, Furlong and Porter to play almost full games,

Yeah it's a 23 man game these days. By not doing it you're handicapping yourself especially with the front 5.

[wixfjord]

I think this is a miles better AB selection that the previous two few. Whitelock, Jordan and Havili are three bona tide world class players with Crusaders winning pedigree. All three a big step up on what’s there.

Akira Ioane is a great bench option too.

However, Fakatava and Tuivasa Sheck are not at this level yet. Definitely think if either of those have to come on early we’ll make hay. The latter in particular just looks lost at times when I’ve seen him for Blues. Would expect Sexton to be able to manipulate him.

I think this will be a hum dinger of a game, but by virtue of those changes and the ABs greater need to win, I reckon they’ll take it by 7-10.

[arsebiscuits1]

Coombes has an appetite for tackling racking up impressive numbers in the Maori games (19 and 16 respectively) but has shown a similar penchant for missed tackles wracking up 4 missed in each game.

Perhaps its to his detriment that is head coach is a defence specialist but you're not getting into many squads while you put up numbers like that (he's had more than a few 3/4 tackles in the missed column for Munster also)

I don't think he's a poor tackler by any means. I think these numbers are more representative of a player who tunes out of games as discussed above.

First 2 tests against the All Blacks the entire back row including subs made 96 tackles missing 1 (Conan in the first test)

You have to go back to the Argentina game to find the last tackle Doris missed in Green.

[munster#1]

Coombes has an appetite for tackling racking up impressive numbers in the Maori games (19 and 16 respectively) but has shown a similar penchant for missed tackles wracking up 4 missed in each game.

Perhaps its to his detriment that is head coach is a defence specialist but you're not getting into many squads while you put up numbers like that (he's had more than a few 3/4 tackles in the missed column for Munster also)

I don't think he's a poor tackler by any means. I think these numbers are more representative of a player who tunes out of games as discussed above.

First 2 tests against the All Blacks the entire back row including subs made 96 tackles missing 1 (Conan in the first test)

You have to go back to the Argentina game to find the last tackle Doris missed in Green.

Those are some fairly damning numbers alright.
No player at International level should be missing 4 tackles a game.
Hopefully we see an improvement in him over the next 12 months. Coombes could be a real game changer for Ireland imo, his raw power is something we are missing outside of Furlong and maybe Porter right now.

On Doris, I really believe that he could well be a world class player if he can regain his previous form and maintain it throughout the coming season and beyond.
He was brilliant last week after a very quiet game the previous week.
He is one player that really excites me.

His injury setback seemed to have halted his progress, but with a string of games, and at 8 which I believe is his best position, he could really push on. Amazing to think he is only 24.

[dropkick]

Coombes has an appetite for tackling racking up impressive numbers in the Maori games (19 and 16 respectively) but has shown a similar penchant for missed tackles wracking up 4 missed in each game.

Perhaps its to his detriment that is head coach is a defence specialist but you're not getting into many squads while you put up numbers like that (he's had more than a few 3/4 tackles in the missed column for Munster also)

I don't think he's a poor tackler by any means. I think these numbers are more representative of a player who tunes out of games as discussed above.

First 2 tests against the All Blacks the entire back row including subs made 96 tackles missing 1 (Conan in the first test)

You have to go back to the Argentina game to find the last tackle Doris missed in Green.

He's 93% tackling over the course of the URC season missing 10 tackles. The Maoris are a team of speedsters and the Irish players were all getting used to one another so gaps would naturally appear. The main ireland team is much tighter defensively.

[riocard911]

From the NZ Herald:

All Blacks v Ireland: Andy Farrell is taking Ireland down a road to greatness - Warren Gatland

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/all-bl ... 5IQZWV5ZA/

[riocard911]

Reports from Kiwiland suggest Scott Barrett may not tog out amárach due to a knee injury. Seems he sat out some of the training this week. If he does show, we know what Ric Flair would do.......

[OTT]

Reports from Kiwiland suggest Scott Barrett may not tog out amárach due to a knee injury. Seems he sat out some of the training this week. If he does show, we know what Ric Flair would do.......

Walk that aisle with style and profile?

[LeRouxIsPHat]

Reports from Kiwiland suggest Scott Barrett may not tog out amárach due to a knee injury. Seems he sat out some of the training this week. If he does show, we know what Ric Flair would do.......

Who did he inflict it on?

[riocard911]

Reports from Kiwiland suggest Scott Barrett may not tog out amárach due to a knee injury. Seems he sat out some of the training this week. If he does show, we know what Ric Flair would do.......

Walk that aisle with style and profile?

Chapeau!!!

[Oldschoolsocks]

Steve Hansen having a bit of a whinge, quelle surprise

https://youtu.be/7fy3-e6nVJU

[ustix]

Coombes has an appetite for tackling racking up impressive numbers in the Maori games (19 and 16 respectively) but has shown a similar penchant for missed tackles wracking up 4 missed in each game.

Perhaps its to his detriment that is head coach is a defence specialist but you're not getting into many squads while you put up numbers like that (he's had more than a few 3/4 tackles in the missed column for Munster also)

I don't think he's a poor tackler by any means. I think these numbers are more representative of a player who tunes out of games as discussed above.

First 2 tests against the All Blacks the entire back row including subs made 96 tackles missing 1 (Conan in the first test)

You have to go back to the Argentina game to find the last tackle Doris missed in Green.

Those are some fairly damning numbers alright.
No player

On Doris, I really believe that he could well be a world class player if he can regain his previous form and maintain it throughout the coming season and beyond.
He was brilliant last week after a very quiet game the previous week.
He is one player that really excites me.

His injury setback seemed to have halted his progress, but with a string of games, and at 8 which I believe is his best position, he could really push on. Amazing to think he is only 24.

24 and there's so much more

[riocard911]

Steve Hansen having a bit of a whinge, quelle surprise

https://youtu.be/7fy3-e6nVJU

It's also his delivery. He sounds like he's whinging even when he isn't.

[Oldschool]

The big question then.
Who's going to win tomorrow.
NZ won handy enough in the first test but Ireland did give up a few soft tries.
As a result NZ thought that they only had to turn up to win the second test. NZ in fact decided that they could beat Ireland with only 14 (most of the time) players on the pitch.
Ireland graciously acknowledged this gesture of sportsmanship and generosity by winning the second test.
Which leaves us where exactly?
Wayne Barnes is the ref tomorrow.
This will affect NZ more than Ireland.
However NZ will go into this game switched on and as a result will be less indiscipline.
It's going to be close and could come down to a few things.
1. Kicks at goal.
2. Decision making at vital moments.
3. Unforced errors
4. Specifically to item 2, knowing how to close a game down or as Brent Pope would put it, no even breaks for suckers.
The most important thing for all of Ireland’s players to remember is that they are playing the best counterattacking team in the world.
Enjoy the game.
C'mon Ireland.

[jezzer]

Coombes has an appetite for tackling racking up impressive numbers in the Maori games (19 and 16 respectively) but has shown a similar penchant for missed tackles wracking up 4 missed in each game.

Perhaps its to his detriment that is head coach is a defence specialist but you're not getting into many squads while you put up numbers like that (he's had more than a few 3/4 tackles in the missed column for Munster also)

I don't think he's a poor tackler by any means. I think these numbers are more representative of a player who tunes out of games as discussed above.

First 2 tests against the All Blacks the entire back row including subs made 96 tackles missing 1 (Conan in the first test)

You have to go back to the Argentina game to find the last tackle Doris missed in Green.

Those are some fairly damning numbers alright.
No player at International level should be missing 4 tackles a game.
Hopefully we see an improvement in him over the next 12 months. Coombes could be a real game changer for Ireland imo, his raw power is something we are missing outside of Furlong and maybe Porter right now.

On Doris, I really believe that he could well be a world class player if he can regain his previous form and maintain it throughout the coming season and beyond.
He was brilliant last week after a very quiet game the previous week.
He is one player that really excites me.

His injury setback seemed to have halted his progress, but with a string of games, and at 8 which I believe is his best position, he could really push on. Amazing to think he is only 24.

I don't think we're putting Doris into holes like we were doing earlier this year. Some of that could be him not getting into the right spots but in general i think we've just not sprung as many linebreaks from the pod of 3 as before it was studied so much by the oppo.

[Barry]

The big question then.
Who's going to win tomorrow.
NZ won handy enough in the first test but Ireland did give up a few soft tries.
As a result NZ thought that they only had to turn up to win the second test. NZ in fact decided that they could beat Ireland with only 14 (most of the time) players on the pitch.
Ireland graciously acknowledged this gesture of sportsmanship and generosity by winning the second test.
Which leaves us where exactly?
Wayne Barnes is the ref tomorrow.
This will affect NZ more than Ireland.
However NZ will go into this game switched on and as a result will be less indiscipline.
It's going to be close and could come down to a few things.
1. Kicks at goal.
2. Decision making at vital moments.
3. Unforced errors
4. Specifically to item 2, knowing how to close a game down or as Brent Pope would put it, no even breaks for suckers.
The most important thing for all of Ireland’s players to remember is that they are playing the best counterattacking team in the world.
Enjoy the game.
C'mon Ireland.

Also , how long Sexton stays on the pitch.
No coincidence that the only 2 games we lost out of the last 10 were Paris (where a sexton didn't play) and Auckland (where Sexton only lasted 30 minutes)

Sent from my VOG-L09 using Tapatalk

[enby]

It is an all too rare opportunity to grab a place at the top table of international rugby. Go for it lads, you know you can outsmart and outmuscle this lot. The entire Rugby Nation is proud to be behind each and every one of you.

[Oldschoolsocks]

Lads and ladies all, let’s not forget that we are the current holders of the Raeburn Shield.