[2014 EOYT] Ireland vs Georgia

[big ginger 8]

The problem with our players is it usually takes them this long to bulk up to a sufficient level to play international rugby. Even now Foley is relatively lightweight at only 108 kg. It's a pity because he has all the other attributes required to be an excellent lock.

Secondrows in general are late developers anyway being tall enough, heavy enough and good enough at a young age is rare enough. Certainly here as well where secondrow can be a position we struggle to identify talent in at a young age.

Players not being of the requisite bulk at a young age is also most likely not going to be a problem at this stage. Just have a look at the size of the guys in our academies. Sure Henshaw was our seconf biggest back against SA.

 

[Jockstap]

Secondrows in general are late developers anyway being tall enough, heavy enough and good enough at a young age is rare enough. Certainly here as well where secondrow can be a position we struggle to identify talent in at a young age.

Players not being of the requisite bulk at a young age is also most likely not going to be a problem at this stage. Just have a look at the size of the guys in our academies. Sure Henshaw was our seconf biggest back against SA.

That seems to only be an issue in this country though, the two greys, launchbury, lawes, whitelock, rettalick, etzebeth, ball, etc. We have Henderson but in Ireland the guy's a freak. We have plenty of tall guys but they lack mass.

 

[Peat]

Diack at 8 says something...

Desperation.

Of course like many I'd have liked to see Marmion start but there's clearly something Schmidt doesn't think is up to scratch and I trust him.

Kicking.

 

[big ginger 8]

15 Merab Kvirikashvili, 14 Tamaz Mchedlidze, 13 David Kacharava , 12 Merab Sharikadze, 11 Sandro Todua, 10 Lasha Khmaladze, 9 Giorgi Begadze,
8 Dimitri Basilaia, 7 Vito Kolelishvili, 6 Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, 5 Giorgi Nemsadze, 4 Kote Mikautadze, 3 Davit Kubriashvili, 2 Shalva Mamukashvili, 1 Mikheil Nariashvili


Replacements: 16 Simon Maisuradze, 17 Zurab Zhvania, 18 Levan Chilachava, 19 Levan Datunashvili, 20 Giorgi Chkhaidze, 21 Vazha Khutsishvili, 22 Lasha Malaguradze, 23 Muraz Giorgadze

Ryle Nugent must be ****ting himself.

That seems to only be an issue in this country though, the two greys, launchbury, lawes, whitelock, rettalick, etzebeth, ball, etc. We have Henderson but in Ireland the guy's a freak. We have plenty of tall guys but they lack mass.

Two of them are from the same family, 4 are from countries with populations over 50m and the other two are from a country where most of the best athletes end up in rugby. All of them are still considered freaks. It's not eons ago that we had Casey, PO'C, DO'C and MO'K all made their debuts at a young age. I think there's plenty of understandable reason as to why we don't have younger secondrows.

Desperation.



Kicking.

Are you saying kicking or did you see Schmidt say it? I wouldn't be surprised if kicking is a factor.

 

[profitius]

That seems to only be an issue in this country though, the two greys, launchbury, lawes, whitelock, rettalick, etzebeth, ball, etc. We have Henderson but in Ireland the guys a freak. We have plenty of tall guys but they lack mass.

Its just the way the system is set up. I wouldn't worry about it to be honest, we've enough depth these days so its doing its job. Traditionally players only started to bulk up when in the academy. Look at the U20's who usually look schoolboyish compared to other teams. However its changing a bit nowadays so the players should reach their maximum weight a bit quicker than before.
Dave Foley is very lightweight naturally so he is probably already at his fighting weight.

 

[Peat]

Are you saying kicking or did you see Schmidt say it? I wouldn't be surprised if kicking is a factor.

Read elsewhere that Schmidt had said kicking, not a hundred per cent that's true.

Tbh, I don't consider it freakish for a lock to start making waves aged 21 or so. Maybe not internationally, but there's plenty of domestic locks who've made their bones by that age in England. I think the big thing is there's been a dearth in Irish locking talent recently.

 

[munstermuffin]

Despite the debate at 9 I can't wait for tomorrow. I must say I was talking to Dave Foley today and well he is 1 fully deserving of a cap but he seriously has the belief that he is playing tomorrow for a spot vs Aus. Schmidt has instilled that mentality in a lot of guys tomorrow and for 1st time in a long long time I think we've coach that will mix selections up. I do think Schmidt was bias last year regards Jordi Murphy etc but will put it down to they knew systems. Because I don't think Murphy was playing well enough to be there (not saying TOD was either). But now he seems to have his 12 months and well got across to everyone what's required and simply no player is bigger than system. Many times before coaches have picked guys who've hung in there on form from 5 years prior but hopefully Schmidt is a 'pick on form' guy. I'm interested to see can Kilcoyne challenge McGrath and while I'm disappointed Casey not in squad this November I still have doubts about Cronin so look forward to seeing Strauss try earn start vs Oz. Backrow will be unbalanced but I think it could be like a destruction company if they get going and the backline certainly has tries in them. I'll be there anyway and hope to get good game.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Yep Schmidt showed clear bias towards Jordi Murphy last year. He was a player who he gave a grand total of 7 starts to while coach of Leinster. Absolute tripe.

I'd have preferred to have seen Kieran Marmion get a start and liked had Stuart Olding started also but it's hard to question Schmidt in his selection decisions given his track record. Then again I am a biased Leinster fan who would agree with everything he says.

 

[gaston le gaff]

Could be Avery interesting game as Georgia are no more a walk over especially upfront but I think Ireland will be joining France as still unbeaten this Autumn still really puzzled Les Rosbifs losing 2 out of 2 and at home, is the World Cup not there next year???

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop as I said maybe it was because he knew Schmidts systems but if you think he was playing superbly toward his spot fair enough. Enjoy the stupid back handed comments back or better again tell me where he earned his stripes? Because even some Leinster fans admitted he wasn't their on form. But as I said maybe it was systems and now he's had time to get system across. Marmion has been told what to work on I believe. And Olding is unlucky but every player had their reasons so hard to argue any selection.
@Gaston I don't know Sillitoe interesting as the Georgians are missing their 2 best guys and supposedly their preparations have been bit mediocre. But hopefully they do give a good test to our lads.

Just regards Murphy a Leinster fan who knows his rugby said this:
"Jordi is a great prospect who's been doing ok but not great. He has covered this up a bit by having a great knack to score tries off back of mauls. This means his name is on score sheet and shines him up a bit. He will be a great player once he settles on one spot and secures his spot."

Now maybe that's a fair analysis and looking at his record their he did score a fair few tries. But yes Snoop 7 starts but 16 appearances off bench which isn't bad for academy player.

 

[iINDOMINUSxx]

does anyone know what channel this is on ?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Sky sports

 

[Tony Manx]

Sky4

 

[Jaguares]

Lelos always ask for more attention from the IRB. This is their chance to show if they have what it takes...

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Surprised JP Doyle is allowed to ref this one to be honest, being from Dublin and all that!

 

[big ginger 8]

I do worry about how the Kilcoyne-Foley axis will get on in prolonged scrums.

 

[SelimNiai]

Surprised JP Doyle is allowed to ref this one to be honest, being from Dublin and all that!

Its because he's attatched to the RFU but yeah, I'm surprised we've not heard more about that. Good ref though

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Its because he's attatched to the RFU but yeah, I'm surprised we've not heard more about that. Good ref though

Yeah, I've always liked him as a ref. What's even more strange, possibly even disgraceful, is the number of Georgian backs wearing scrum caps.

 

[SelimNiai]

3 out of 7 is a high ratio

 

[big ginger 8]

What a goosestep from Kilcoyne!