[2014 EOYT] Ireland vs Australia

[tituslechmakus]

Good enough to beat the Aussies.

??? We've beaten the Aussies and you are better than us !

 

[Big Ewis]

Here's a xv announcement post that's both late and way too small to be useful

 

[munstermuffin]

Fair enough team - Hard toargue any spot really. I think Felix Jones is like Dave Kearney last year. Alot don't rate him and probably there is much better but he'll execute what Joe wants if needed. D'arcy was awful last week and lucky based on that performance BUT he rarely plays bad in 2 straight games. Best back is huge plus as he's our best hooker but while I don't think Cronin throws well etc he's 1 of best in business as impact off bench so it's a double win. Dave Foley I hope gets another run out but deservedly so POC & Toner continue. Backrow was deserving and TOD was best of last weeks backrow. On bench it hard to argue much too. Really, while I rate the Aus team, I'd have feared SA alot more. Look forward to seeing Folau in the flesh though.

 

[Jaguares]

Kurtley Beale is back !!!



Wallabies bench named:

16 James Hanson
17 Tetera Faulkner
18 Benn Robinson
19 Will Skelton
20 Jake Schatz
21 Will Genia
22 Quade Cooper
23 Kurtley Beale

 

[Groundhog]

Just saw the team in town eating dun dins. Ah You looked mopey as per usual

 

[munstermuffin]

Kurtley Beale is back !!!



Wallabies bench named:

16 James Hanson
17 Tetera Faulkner
18 Benn Robinson
19 Will Skelton
20 Jake Schatz
21 Will Genia
22 Quade Cooper
23 Kurtley Beale

That's an impressive bench. But it'll be interesting to see what shape Beale is in.

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Kurtley Beale is back !!!



Wallabies bench named:

16 James Hanson
17 Tetera Faulkner
18 Benn Robinson
19 Will Skelton
20 Jake Schatz
21 Will Genia
22 Quade Cooper
23 Kurtley Beale

That is a ridiculous trio of experienced game breakers to have on the bech. Too bad I'd be disappointed if any one of those benched forwards jogged out for the Stormersbut the Wallabies have a knack of winning test matches with club level forwards.

 

[Shaggy]

Good to see that Chieka has listened to everyone regarding Folau ... and me about playing Luke Jones at 6

I'm surprised to see both Beale and Cooper on the bench though ... they might have some defensive issues late in the match

 

[Big Ewis]

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHH !!!!!!!!!!!...

Hardest game to call for this weekend. I've got France, SA, NZ, ENG, SCO for sure but this one...just read Planet Rugby's article and opinion:
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9572012,00.html

They underline Ireland's "a solid pack and backs who combine intelligence, attacking threat and also a low error count", remind us Healy and O'Brien, two key pieces, are still missing, Hooper's prominent role in last year's whooping in Dublin...
I don't agree with their prediction, although it's pretty tempting and I see their vision, but I still don't know who to pick.

 

[ENZED-88]

Pretty hard game to call since I haven't seen much of Ireland play, their recent win against the Boks is a big step in the right direction,an will have them believing in their system but if the Aussies can get quick ball at the breakdown that backline has got the goods to beat any team going around. Hopefully aussie are back on track an ready to roll the irish.

 

[Jaguares]

Wallabies by 10

 

[Jbobo]

C'mon you blues!!!!

 

[Darwin]

Great to see Luke Jones at 6 for Australia. He has mainly been used at lock by the Rebels, but I feel he could be a handy 6 at test level. I feel Australia need their 6 to play a quite a tight role (to make up for some of the deficiencies in their tight-five), and I think Jones could just be the man for the job. He's an excellent ball runner, has a massive work-rate, is a good lineout option, and does his job on defense. He may not have the same breakdown presence that Fardy has, but he shades him in most other areas in my opinion - if he takes his chance he could well see himself given a few more shots on the Australian 6 jersey (he wouldn't look out of place in the 5 jersey either...).

Overall I like the look of the Australian side. Phipps is perhaps lucky to be maintained, but Genia hasn't exactly stood out since his return (I'm not sure whether anyone feed him during his time off either - damn he looks tiny!). Great to see Speight finally starting at test level - it should be a interesting match-up between him and Bowe. I like the fire-power Australia have off the bench in the backs too, they could potenitally cause a lot of damage late in the match!

 

[Shaggy]

Great to see Luke Jones at 6 for Australia. He has mainly been used at lock by the Rebels, but I feel he could be a handy 6 at test level. I feel Australia need their 6 to play a quite a tight role (to make up for some of the deficiencies in their tight-five), and I think Jones could just be the man for the job. He's an excellent ball runner, has a massive work-rate, is a good lineout option, and does his job on defense. He may not have the same breakdown presence that Fardy has, but he shades him in most other areas in my opinion - if he takes his chance he could well see himself given a few more shots on the Australian 6 jersey (he wouldn't look out of place in the 5 jersey either...).

Overall I like the look of the Australian side. Phipps is perhaps lucky to be maintained, but Genia hasn't exactly stood out since his return (I'm not sure whether anyone feed him during his time off either - damn he looks tiny!). Great to see Speight finally starting at test level - it should be a interesting match-up between him and Bowe. I like the fire-power Australia have off the bench in the backs too, they could potenitally cause a lot of damage late in the match!

... And Shaggy suggested Jones at 6, so it must be a great idea

Seriously though, I agree that he will be good there for the reasons you suggest.

Should be a good match, ... Usually i'd call myself a neutral for this match, but i'll be cheering for the Irish in this one.

The whole Kurtley Beale thing is disgraceful, and just seems to be another example of players influencing selection, and not being responsible for their actions ... I don't think these type of players are good for Australian Rugby in the long term ... Are well, you reap what you sow

 

[Darwin]

... And Shaggy suggested Jones at 6, so it must be a great idea

Seriously though, I agree that he will be good there for the reasons you suggest.

Should be a good match, ... Usually i'd call myself a neutral for this match, but i'll be cheering for the Irish in this one.

The whole Kurtley Beale thing is disgraceful, and just seems to be another example of players influencing selection, and not being responsible for their actions ... I don't think these type of players are good for Australian Rugby in the long term ... Are well, you reap what you sow

Did he? In that case I retract my previous paragraph. Jones at 6 is a poor idea

I'm not really sure which way this match will go. I'm going to pick Australia by 5.

 

[Mikel92]

The whole Kurtley Beale thing is disgraceful, and just seems to be another example of players influencing selection, and not being responsible for their actions ... I don't think these type of players are good for Australian Rugby in the long term ... Are well, you reap what you sow

Yeah, totally agree. I think when Chekia comes out with things like "I'm not his social worker", he misses the point. Beale's actions breached in-house discipline, and it's not the first time that Beale has come under fire. Whether at a coaching level, or a higher Admin level, I'd be sitting down with him and seriously discussing his future in Australian rugby. Take the rest of the year off, make positive choices throughout the Super Rugby campaign, and then if you're lucky you might get reselected.

 

[munstermuffin]

Yeah, totally agree. I think when Chekia comes out with things like "I'm not his social worker", he misses the point. Beale's actions breached in-house discipline, and it's not the first time that Beale has come under fire. Whether at a coaching level, or a higher Admin level, I'd be sitting down with him and seriously discussing his future in Australian rugby. Take the rest of the year off, make positive choices throughout the Super Rugby campaign, and then if you're lucky you might get reselected.

Send Beale to Munster for2/3 years we will set him straight.

 

[Big Ewis]

aaaah, today's the day !! Italy South Africa in 3 hours, followed by this and the France game tonight, that's my program. Still too hard to call this, and it's match day.....yerrrrrrrrrrrr...mmm....Ireland by 4 ??....

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I think Ireland will win this if they can keep the game controlled. The Aussies are great in loose play and Ireland need to maintain as much possession as possible to ensure the Aussies can't get a good attack going. Ireland have done well at the breakdown so far and I think this will continue so a 7 point lead for Ireland.

 

[Every Time Ref]

I'm going with Ireland although it's really too close to call. I just saw Ireland really go with a high intensity forward-based game against SA, and I think they'll do the same against Aus. As much as anything, I see Aus as having terrifying strengths alongside glaring weaknesses, which is what makes them an interesting / frustrating (depending on nationality) team to watch. To me, this is where a really clever tactical coach can exploit a team, which is Schmidt all over.

Who the hell knows though. Undoubtedly the pick of the weekend, annoying it overlaps with the Wales game - what's with all that?!