[2014 EOYT] Ireland vs Australia

[Peat]

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.

When I first saw Jones play, I genuinely thought Kearney would have a huge fight for his place going forwards, and that was back in 2009 when Kearney was playing some of his best. He was that good. He's been hella unlucky with injury and you're that few would have picked him, but I am kinda curious to see what Schmidt can get out of him on a stage this big.

 

[munstermuffin]

When I first saw Jones play, I genuinely thought Kearney would have a huge fight for his place going forwards, and that was back in 2009 when Kearney was playing some of his best. He was that good. He's been hella unlucky with injury and you're that few would have picked him, but I am kinda curious to see what Schmidt can get out of him on a stage this big.

No doubt I agree with start. I think up to 2011 RWC Felix was in form of his life and was a serious challenger to Kearney but after that injury in RWC warm ups he lost confidence and bit of pace. He's very safe and 1 of bravest men I've ever seen but as I say his attributes I presume are areas Schmidt looks at. I still think his performance vs Leinster in Magners League final in 2011 was 1 of best displays I've seen from a 15. But it'll be interesting to see where this goes to.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

No doubt I agree with start. I think up to 2011 RWC Felix was in form of his life and was a serious challenger to Kearney but after that injury in RWC warm ups he lost confidence and bit of pace. He's very safe and 1 of bravest men I've ever seen but as I say his attributes I presume are areas Schmidt looks at. I still think his performance vs Leinster in Magners League final in 2011 was 1 of best displays I've seen from a 15. But it'll be interesting to see where this goes to.

2009 and 2011 were times when he really showed that he could be a challenger for Kearney before injuries ****ed him. Alongside McFadden he was the standout player of the Churchill cup in '09 and if not for injury he would have been our starting 15 in the last world cup. Unfortunately injury has led to a regression in his talents and he'll probably lose out to the likes of Dave Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls come RWC time depending on the fitness of these players.

 

[Groundhog]

Jones is one of my favourite players because he's so tough mentally. He's come back from injury again and again and is still fearless in everything he does. Is he a great player? No, but I really think had he a clean bill of injuries, he could have been something special.

 

[munstermuffin]

2009 and 2011 were times when he really showed that he could be a challenger for Kearney before injuries ****ed him. Alongside McFadden he was the standout player of the Churchill cup in '09 and if not for injury he would have been our starting 15 in the last world cup. Unfortunately injury has led to a regression in his talents and he'll probably lose out to the likes of Dave Kearney, Fergus McFadden, Luke Fitzgerald and Keith Earls come RWC time depending on the fitness of these players.

Out of that list I think he's on par with Dave Kearney. McFadden is bit of class up and other 2 are well up. But agree with everything else there. But I think if Schmidt wants a 2nd specialist 15 he will go RWC. Like yes there's a lot of alternatives who can be versatile and play 15. It all depends on how Schmidt tactically picks his squad. But in fairness Felix is playing well this season. Not excellent to force his way as starter but very steady and consistent.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Jones is one of my favourite players because he's so tough mentally. He's come back from injury again and again and is still fearless in everything he does. Is he a great player? No, but I really think had he a clean bill of injuries, he could have been something special.

Well, he is from Leinster!

Out of that list I think he's on par with Dave Kearney. McFadden is bit of class up and other 2 are well up. But agree with everything else there. But I think if Schmidt wants a 2nd specialist 15 he will go RWC. Like yes there's a lot of alternatives who can be versatile and play 15. It all depends on how Schmidt tactically picks his squad. But in fairness Felix is playing well this season. Not excellent to force his way as starter but very steady and consistent.

Pretty much, if Fitz goes well at 13 this season I could see him pushing Payne to 15 which would be lovely.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well, he is from Leinster!

Pretty much, if Fitz goes well at 13 this season I could see him pushing Payne to 15 which would be lovely.

True but key is Fitz staying fit. Like Earls also if they go RWC too will they hold up to the intense schedule to of the 8-9 weeks (including pre-RWC). Also will Fitz stay 13 for year with Leinster or is that just a "fill in for now" role?

 

[Jaguares]

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!

I'm also eager to see Luke against Ireland. Wallabies need more physically and he can contribute to the cause

 

[Peat]

My guess is Payne will travel as 13/15 cover and probably keep Jones out, but if he doesn't go, Jones becomes a decent choice. I'm just assuming Fitzgerald and Earls won't be fit, and that Henshaw will be first choice 13.

 

[munstermuffin]

My guess is Payne will travel as 13/15 cover and probably keep Jones out, but if he doesn't go, Jones becomes a decent choice. I'm just assuming Fitzgerald and Earls won't be fit, and that Henshaw will be first choice 13.

Again though will Payne be a starter in the centre? I think Payne will go but I don't think he'd be counted as cover if he is starting. Like it's more a Jones at 15 against lower ranked sides while we rest guys. But again it depends on how Schmidt goes about picking his squad and the breakdown of it all.

 

[Peat]

Well, yeah, I'm clearly guessing Payne won't be one of Ireland's first choice centres.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well, yeah, I'm clearly guessing Payne won't be one of Ireland's first choice centres.

Yeah it's just hard to say though. Like I'm not a huge fan of him in centre simply because he's a better 15 but himself and Henshaw went excellent vs SA and D'Arcy struggled last week so again anyone could get in

 

[TheSaffycen]

I wonder how Ireland will do trying to chase a lead ? If Oz can get an early lead by about 8 points then maybe they can win off turnover balls ? I would go for an Ireland win by 9 if I had to put money on it.

 

[munstermuffin]

I wonder how Ireland will do trying to chase a lead ? If Oz can get an early lead by about 8 points then maybe they can win off turnover balls ? I would go for an Ireland win by 9 if I had to put money on it.

It's hard to tell but I think they do have a lot of trust in eachother and won't panic or force it. They'll stick to system and try work their way back

 

[profitius]

It should be a good test to see where Ireland and Australia are. A loss here and all the hype will have been misplaced. I think they'll win but they have not got a great record against the Wallabies so its a match where anything could happen and wouldn't surprise me to see one team win well.

Key man will be Sexton. He needs to nail his kicks and kick well from hand.

 

[Tony Manx]

Bloody choke tackle....should be removed from the game!!! All it does is kill the game......................IMO!

 

[Groundhog]

Michael Whoper?

 

[Big Ewis]

yeah yeah okay so I heard Ireland were playing Australia today, what's up with that, what's happening here ?

 

[Tony Manx]

yeah yeah okay so I heard Ireland were playing Australia today, what's up with that, what's happening here ?

No 3 at home should beat a very tired no 4 in the world and I would expect at least 15 points difference......................!

 

[Groundhog]

Woo hoo