Ireland's Rugby World Cup 2015 Thread - "You're wrong on several counts..."

[Don Alfonso]

First topic message reminder :

Alright.

The time for whinging at the Welsh, sniping at the Scots and educating the English is done. Playtime is over. The bitterness is dialled up to ten, the eye-patches producing metaphorical one-eyedness are donned, chips are placed on shoulders – it’s time for some proper, down n’ dirty, internecine bickering.

Who will go to the 2015 Rugby World Cup to play for Ireland?

Who should go?



The players have the following opportunities to shine like a diamond for Joe:


Emerging Ireland Tbilisi Cup

Emerging Italy v Emerging Ireland
Saturday 13th June 14:00 BST

Uruguay v Emerging Ireland
Wednesday 17th June 14:00 BST

Georgia v Emerging Ireland
Sunday 21st June 16:00 BST


Ireland Matches

Wales v Ireland
Millennium Stadium
Saturday 8th August

Ireland v Scotland
Aviva Stadium
Saturday 15th August

Ireland v Wales
Aviva Stadium
Saturday 29th August

England v Ireland
Twickenham Stadium
Saturday 5th September


31 players.

A 17/14 split? Has Madigan played himself off the plane? Do Ruddock or Trimble have enough time to make it back? Can Rory’s darts be trusted? Does POM spend too much time on the wing? Are Payne and Strauss “Irish” enough? Why is Reddan there? Has Zebo been by-passed? Is Cave too slow? Why Felix Jones?

HAVE AT THEE!

[eirebilly]

Kearney is not the strongest last man tackler, on that i will agree but he is not bad either and more than makes up for that with his other qualities. To me he is still the best 15 in Ireland with Payne a close second.

[ME-109]

I dont disagree. But its something that he hasnt improved upon.

Anyhow...this is just for Guns...here you see poor positioning by the full back on a crossfield kick and then a poor last man tackle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjE7Z56XQYo

PS. Its not Simon

[eirebilly]

Yeah i remember that try, Kearney did not cover himself in glory there. Really should have smashed Earls then.

[majesticimperialman]

Any news on Sexton? was it just cramp for the reason he came off against England or was there another reason he was taken off?

[Guest]

He was training without any signs of a niggle, so I think he's fine. Just cramp.

[Notch]

You'd think if that was an important game he and Zebo might well have finished on the pitch.

[Marshes]

I dont disagree. But its something that he hasnt improved upon.  

Anyhow...this is just for Guns...here you see poor positioning by the full back on a crossfield kick and then a poor last man tackle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjE7Z56XQYo

PS. Its not Simon

Also this one against Italy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFUptpeRMfg

[ME-109]

I dont disagree. But its something that he hasnt improved upon.  

Anyhow...this is just for Guns...here you see poor positioning by the full back on a crossfield kick and then a poor last man tackle

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjE7Z56XQYo

PS. Its not Simon

Also this one against Italy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFUptpeRMfg

Similar to this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qfSkgzjCZ78 at least Rob eventually tackled him here.

[GunsGerms]

Speaking of people who cant tackle I was listening to Rog on off the ball last night. Gas character, very interesting to listen to. Said he would be interested in coaching Leinster some day.

[rodders]

Anyone think Joe might opt for Kearney 2 at the back as back up for Kearney 1 and opt of Earls and Bowe on the wing?

I don't think Joe will trust Zebo in the big games but use him at 15 against the weaker pool opponents.

K1 has been out of sorts for a while but tends to play well under Joe and will be no1 15 I'm sure.

[GunsGerms]

I'd say Dave Kearney will be a starter with Zebo back up full back. Kearney the younger is Ireland's most on form back and biggest attacking threat so he will start the big games with Bowe on the other wing. I predict Bowe will preform really well.

Earls and Fitz will feature in one of the pool games and as back up for injuries.

[SecretFly]

K1 has been out of sorts for a while but tends to play well under Joe and will be no1 15 I'm sure.

Oh I'm sure we'll see him doing his trademark Zig Zag - How's your Dad? - There's a Space, Ignore it! collision moves.   That's a sure fire bet.

[Sin é]

I'd say Dave Kearney will be a starter with Zebo back up full back. Kearney the younger is Ireland's most on form back and biggest attacking threat so he will start the big games with Bowe on the other wing. I predict Bowe will preform really well.

Earls and Fitz will feature in one of the pool games and as back up for injuries.

That made me laugh.

[SecretFly]

I'd say Dave Kearney will be a starter with Zebo back up full back. Kearney the younger is Ireland's most on form back and biggest attacking threat so he will start the big games with Bowe on the other wing. I predict Bowe will preform really well.

Earls and Fitz will feature in one of the pool games and as back up for injuries.

That made me laugh.

Who is?

Keep in mind we're not talking try scoring here - a final pass is a final pass - that guy ain't always the biggest attacking threat.

So who in this Irish squad is?  O'Brien?  Henshaw?  Payne?  Bowe?  Zebo?


ps.... forgot Sexton! Sexton?

[ME-109]

I'd say Dave Kearney will be a starter with Zebo back up full back. Kearney the younger is Ireland's most on form back and biggest attacking threat so he will start the big games with Bowe on the other wing. I predict Bowe will preform really well.

Earls and Fitz will feature in one of the pool games and as back up for injuries.

That made me laugh.

In fairness to Dave he has played well in the Welsh and English games and fits in with Joes style..its just that I never get the impression he is going to score...

[GunsGerms]

I'd say Dave Kearney will be a starter with Zebo back up full back. Kearney the younger is Ireland's most on form back and biggest attacking threat so he will start the big games with Bowe on the other wing. I predict Bowe will preform really well.

Earls and Fitz will feature in one of the pool games and as back up for injuries.

That made me laugh.

Read it a weep because it is true. More defenders beaten and yards gained than any other back in the last two games. I guess the joke is on you.

Ireland v Wales and England:

He also didnt miss a tackle.

[SecretFly]

I'd say Dave Kearney will be a starter with Zebo back up full back. Kearney the younger is Ireland's most on form back and biggest attacking threat so he will start the big games with Bowe on the other wing. I predict Bowe will preform really well.

Earls and Fitz will feature in one of the pool games and as back up for injuries.

That made me laugh.

In fairness to Dave he has played well in the Welsh and English games and fits in with Joes style..its just that I never get the impression he is going to score...

That's why he's a centre playing out of position.

[ME-109]

I'd say Dave Kearney will be a starter with Zebo back up full back. Kearney the younger is Ireland's most on form back and biggest attacking threat so he will start the big games with Bowe on the other wing. I predict Bowe will preform really well.

Earls and Fitz will feature in one of the pool games and as back up for injuries.

That made me laugh.

Read it a weep because it is true. More defenders beaten and yards gained than any other back in the last two games. I guess the joke is on you.

Ireland v Wales and England:

He also didnt miss a tackle.

All correct....didnt look like scoring either...and hasnt for some time.

[GunsGerms]

You are running out of rational criticisms. "He didnt look like scoring" is about as intangible a criticism as you can get.

He has also only started two games this year both in which he was more a threat than any other Irish back so to say he hasnt looked like scoring in a long time is a little obtuse.

[ME-109]

You are running out of rational criticisms. "He didnt look like scoring" is about as intangible a criticism as you can get.

He has also only started two games this year both in which he was more a threat than any other Irish back so to say he hasnt looked like scoring in a long time is a little obtuse.

Dont disagree about him playing well and as I said he fits in with Joes style. But as a wing he doesnt bring a scoring threat that is fairly obvious with both Ireland and even with Leinster. Take it as an observation rather than a criticism.

[Notch]

Earls, Fitzgerald, Bowe and Zebo also haven't looked like scoring in the last two games. It's accurate to say Dave Kearney has been more threatening in attack than them in the very recent past, and has looked like more of a scoring threat than these players in these warm-ups once we got to the harder matches.

[SecretFly]

Put D Kearney in with Payne at 12 and shift Henshaw out on the limb as a big ball busting wing like Horgan. Do that and we're on our way.

There you go, and I come free unlike Joe

[ME-109]

Given our current system of play Joe has developed a bunch of highly organised set of backs and it is clear everyone knows their job and the wings have very specific requirements. Given that I dont think it makes a blind bit of difference who the wings are at this stage.

[SecretFly]

Given our current system of play Joe has developed a bunch of highly organised set of backs and it is clear everyone knows their job and the wings have very specific requirements. Given that I dont think it makes a blind bit of difference who the wings are at this stage.

Don't score tries. You do and you might be off the team.

[GunsGerms]

If that was the case Fitz would be first name on the team sheet.

[SecretFly]

He has lots of competition...that's Fitz's only problem.
And he tries too hard TO score tries, which catches the attention of Joe - so he has only himself to blame.

Quit trying so hard and you're on the team Fitz, but I reckon that's the story of Fitz's entire career. Try less and you might do more.

[rodders]

Given our current system of play Joe has developed a bunch of highly organised set of backs and it is clear everyone knows their job and the wings have very specific requirements. Given that I dont think it makes a blind bit of difference who the wings are at this stage.

I'd extend that to all positions. It doesn't matter who plays as they all have a specific set of requirements.

You, Me and Sine could be the back 3 and we could still win the RWC .

[ME-109]

Given our current system of play Joe has developed a bunch of highly organised set of backs and it is clear everyone knows their job and the wings have very specific requirements. Given that I dont think it makes a blind bit of difference who the wings are at this stage.

I'd extend that to all positions. It doesn't matter who plays as they all have a specific set of requirements.

You, Me and Sine could be the back 3 and we could still win the RWC .

I'll get me boots...

[rodders]

Last one to the first ruck buys the pints.

[SecretFly]

Idiots.

Plan B bypasses rucks. Joe has now officially cremated Plan A.

[RubyGuby]

Plan C is the downward Curve ...............

[rodders]

Anyone read the article on the other channel about O'Brien and POM sneakily moving their scrum binds up on the props effectively giving us (illegally) 4 prop forwards?

The refs hadn't caught on yet so hopefully they don't read the article but its obviously part of plan D....

[SecretFly]

Damn you rodders and that big mouth of yours! Ruby has just left the building and you should know he always comes back in to have a look at responses. He'll tell Gats. Gats will be waiting in the long grass again!

[rodders]

I couldn't believe that guy wrote that article - might have been that Murray Kinsella guy but not sure, he'll cost us the world cup if he doesn't quit doing them bloody articles.

[SecretFly]

Yeah, he should be taken outside and talked to quietly, only the dull thud of the knuckleduster breaking the sweet sound of advice being given to him.

[RubyGuby]

Damn you rodders and that big mouth of yours!  Ruby has just left the building and you should know he always comes back in to have a look at responses.  He'll tell Gats.  Gats will be waiting in the long grass again!

Oh dear, I was just off but I heard someone call my name - cheating feckers!!!!!

Nig Nig!!! have a look at this - av you read it munn

[SecretFly]

Nothing to see here, Ruby. Move along. The boys were merely testing out the Plan C curve.

[RubyGuby]

Ive worked it out Fly - Plan C that is - The C if for Cheat - we're on to you

[rodders]

Thought C was for 'cute hoor'?

[SecretFly]

In my specific case some Welsh guy on another thread informs me that it means c*nt.

[eirebilly]

Anyone think Joe might opt for Kearney 2 at the back as back up for Kearney 1 and opt of Earls and Bowe on the wing?

I don't think Joe will trust Zebo in the big games but use him at 15 against the weaker pool opponents.

K1 has been out of sorts for a while but tends to play well under Joe and will be no1 15 I'm sure.

I am still hoping that Schmidt sees sense, realizes that Payne is not International quality 13 so makes him back up 15 or puts Cave at 12 with Henshaw at 13 (or Henshaw at 12 and Earls at 13 either combo is good)

Pipe dreams though

[Sin é]

Last one to the first ruck buys the pints.

I bag being fullback

[Pete330v2]

Anyone think Joe might opt for Kearney 2 at the back as back up for Kearney 1 and opt of Earls and Bowe on the wing?

I don't think Joe will trust Zebo in the big games but use him at 15 against the weaker pool opponents.

K1 has been out of sorts for a while but tends to play well under Joe and will be no1 15 I'm sure.

I am still hoping that Schmidt sees sense, realizes that Payne is not International quality 13 so makes him back up 15 or puts Cave at 12 with Henshaw at 13 (or Henshaw at 12 and Earls at 13 either combo is good)

Pipe dreams though

I'd love to see Payne moved back to 15 where, if he showed the kind of form he had there for Ulster, he would be a better option than Kearney IMO. We'll have to keep up the faith with him at 13 for the time being mind you where he is doing a bloody good job despite the misgivings of so many.

[eirebilly]

I'd love to see Payne moved back to 15 where, if he showed the kind of form he had there for Ulster, he would be a better option than Kearney IMO. We'll have to keep up the faith with him at 13 for the time being mind you where he is doing a bloody good job despite the misgivings of so many.

The misgivings of others... He has done a solid job in defense, nothing more nothing less. In attack, he has been average. I truly rate the guy but as a 15 not a 13, there are better options at 13 than him.

Countdown until Notch comes on here, calls me a plank and informs me how little i know about rugby in 5... 4...

[SecretFly]

But Notch is probably right that you're wrong Billy on several counts.......



..........well, someone has to keep using the thread punchline to keep it all legal and above board.

[eirebilly]

I was wrong on several counts at birth Fly, at least that's what my mum said were my dad's first words after my arrival

[SecretFly]

Aw Billy.... I'm sure you were a bundle of joy to them....a disappointing 'we could'a done better, you know' bundle of joy, but a bundle nonetheless

[ME-109]

Given Trimbles continuing injury woes it appears Joe & co were more clued in than some gave them credit.

[eirebilly]

Did Trimble get injured again ME-109?

[ME-109]

Apparently picked up a new injury in training I guess.

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