[EOYT] Ireland vs. Samoa 09/11/13

[Big Ewis]

had never noticed the cross on top of that Samoan Rugby logo. Happy to see that there...it's very interesting how they've embraced the message of Christ there. I don't mean this as a 'foreign' thing that 'we' gave them, it's for us all intrinsically.
Anyways.

I wouldn't be too impressed with Samoa putting 40 on Italy. The Italians were miserable in that tournament. Away from home, they're complete bum 9/10 times. Even (no offense) Scotland put 4 tries and 34pts on them last Feb.

But yes...I'm expecting Samoa to come out firing. I'm pretty sure the Irish aren't all that confident about this one, even if they don't say it.
Personally, I think Ireland will be very wary of Samoa, kind of like France last year. We all know what they can do in this day and age, and they'll be prepared to defend home soil with aggression.
It's the first game of the Tour, and they don't want to start with a defeat at home. They'll be fresh, focused and intense.

I see Samoa crossing the line first and drawing first blood. But Ireland eventually, gradually get back into the game with some kicks off bad Samoan discipline under pressure and manage a try or two themselves over the course of the 80min. Two tries all ?..and Ireland by 5.

 

[Amiga500]

Schmidt has been conservative in his squad selection though, picking 18 of his former Leinster players and leaving out some of the best talent in the country.

Ach, don't leave a comment like that hanging in the air! Sure name some names and we can all start bickering over it in our clannish ways! :lol:

 

[lynam1104]

Some surprises

1. McGrath
2. Best
3. Ross
4. McCarty
5. Toner
6. POM
7. Henry
8. Heaslip (C)
9. Muarry
10. Jackson
11. McFadden
12. D'Arcy
13. BOD
14. Bowe
15. Kearney

POC is on the bench and the long term captain with Heaslip Vc

 

[Feicarsinn]

Team just named:

15) Rob Kearney
14) Tommy Bowe
13) Brian O'Driscoll
12) Gordon D'arcy
11) Fergus McFadden
10) Paddy Jackson
9) Conor Murray
8) Jamie Heaslip
7) Chris Henry
6) Peter O'Mahony
5) Devin Toner
4) Mike McCarthy
3) Mike Ross
2) Rory Best
1) Jack McGrath

16) Sean Cronin
17) Cian Healy
18) Declan Fitzpatrick
19) Paul O'Connell
20) Sean O'Brien
21) Eoin Reddan
22) Ian Madigan
23) Dave Kearney

Paul O'Connell confirmed as captain, with Jamie Heaslip as vice captain.

 

[big ginger 8]

G'wan Jack!!! Delighted to tune into the announcement to see him there. Really strong bench and a decent team. I expect a lot of complaining though with 10 Leinster players starting.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Right, well let's have a look at this side.

Jack McGrath's first cap is obviously going to be something of a talking point, particularly amongst those from Munster who feel that his inclusion over Kilcoyne was perhaps unmerited. However, he's had a very good last 12 months and should be able to do the job required. With two experienced heads beside him in the front row and Cian Healy to replace him, we shouldn't be too worried.

The second row was always likely to be a talking point, with Donnacha Ryan out and Paul O'Connell carrying a knock. Toner was the obvious replacement for O'Connell, bringing with him a serious line out threat and being perhaps the form second row in the country. The man beside him was a toss up between Tuohy and McCarthy and I suppose Tuohy is rather unlucky here. That said, McCarthy and Toner have played a lot together this season so that familiarity can do no harm. One would worry if McCarthy has 80 minutes in him though, given some of his displays this season for Leinster.

In the back row the coach has again decided to be prudent with regards injury, leaving out Sean O'Brien in favor of Chris Henry. No complaints from me tbh. Schmidt has always operated on the policy that if a player can't train he can't realistically be included. There's still a good balance to the back row, but one might wonder if we're a little under powered for the physical challenge the Samoans will inevitably bring.

Not much to discuss in the half backs really. It was always likely to be either Jackson or Madigan, and with Jackson having impressed with his form thus far domestically he gets the nod. I suspect that D'arcy outside of him may be to provide a little bit more experience and defensive cover down the 10-12 channel than Marshall would bring, but that said D'arcy has been playing very well this year. McFadden should provide kicking backup if Jackson has a rough day with the boot.

All in all, I'm not unhappy with the side. It's a bit different than we're used to, but that should be expected with a new coach. I'm happy that Schmidt is being rather cautious with regards injury at this point. It's the first game of what could be a grueling November series, so it's best not to take any chances at this point.

 

[Feicarsinn]

G'wan Jack!!! Delighted to tune into the announcement to see him there. Really strong bench and a decent team. I expect a lot of complaining though with 10 Leinster players starting.

Only 9 by my count?

 

[Jockstap]

Good team, it's amazing how( in my opinion anyway) our players look so much better with Schmidt at the helm. But we'll see if that perception is knocked back down after the series. Can't wait for Saturday.

 

[big ginger 8]

Only 9 by my count?

Yeah sorry I was counting a certain player as Leinster who I really shouldn't have.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Yeah sorry I was counting a certain player as Leinster who I really shouldn't have.

It was Tommy wasn't it?

We can all dream.

 

[lynam1104]

I think the only thing that might harm us the back row SOB has been on fire on every way and is a big lad considering opposition we're going to miss that, but if hes not fully fit it makes sense not to push it. On top of that I was fairly impressed with Henry last time he line up for Ireland.

 

[Amiga500]

Toner was the obvious replacement for O'Connell, bringing with him a serious line out threat and being perhaps the form second row in the country. The man beside him was a toss up between Tuohy and McCarthy and I suppose Tuohy is rather unlucky here.

I'd say the form 2nd row is the man who isn't on the bench.

Tuohy was simply magnificent against Leicester, Montpellier and the Cardiff Blues. But I suppose JS doesn't want too many changes too quickly.

 

[Feicarsinn]

I'd say the form 2nd row is the man who isn't on the bench.

Tuohy was simply magnificent against Leicester, Montpellier and the Cardiff Blues. But I suppose JS doesn't want too many changes too quickly.

Toner offers a lot more at the line out than Tuohy, which with O'Connell becomes an important factor. In any case, I was more talking form over about the last 12 months, a period where Toner has been magnificent for Leinster. Tuohy can feel hard done by, but he'll probably get a look in over the international period.

 

[Peat]

Most interesting call for me there is D'Arcy. Under Kidney he looked finished as an international. Looked better with Leinster - a lot better - but international rugby does remain a step up. So the question is whether Kidney was just being a fool or whether D'Arcy has lost too much physically. No one better than Samoa to test that. Have to say, this is a tiny backline compared to what they'll probably put out.

Very disappointed for Tuohy's sake that he didn't get the nod ahead of McCarthy.

 

[big ginger 8]

It was Tommy wasn't it?

We can all dream.

Got it in one.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Good team, should do the business,so much swag on the bench. Ferg to score a try, heard it here first.

 

[Amiga500]

Toner offers a lot more at the line out than Tuohy, which with O'Connell becomes an important factor. In any case, I was more talking form over about the last 12 months, a period where Toner has been magnificent for Leinster. Tuohy can feel hard done by, but he'll probably get a look in over the international period.

I'm not suggesting Tuohy for Toner... but for McCarthy.

Hopefully he will get a bit of gametime. Maybe bench time against Aus...

 

[Jockstap]

When do Samoa name their side? Looking forward to see how our pack go, surprisingly it's the biggest front five we've put out in a long time, maybe ever. I didn't realise McGrath(122 kg) and Toner(126 kg) had so much bulk. I think Toner is getting a lot of undeserved flack, as mentioned above he's been in excellent form for a while now. He may not be the best carrier but he has a good engine on him and is excellent at being a nuisance at ruck time. Arrgh can't wait.

 

[big ginger 8]

When do Samoa name their side? Looking forward to see how our pack go, surprisingly it's the biggest front five we've put out in a long time, maybe ever. I didn't realise McGrath(122 kg) and Toner(126 kg) had so much bulk. I think Toner is getting a lot of undeserved flack, as mentioned above he's been in excellent form for a while now. He may not be the best carrier but he has a good engine on him and is excellent at being a nuisance at ruck time. Arrgh can't wait.

Ah sure look at the size of Jack. http://www.irishrugby.ie/ireland/30049.php

It'll be a beautiful thing seeing him in green.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The Irish team announcement press conference for this game made for a refreshing change. Joe Schmidt actually answered questions in detail rather than the bland nothingness we became accustomed to under the previous regime! When asked about Chris Henry's selection he answered by saying the aspects of his game that Henry has improved upon rather than give the Kidneyspeak non-answer of "Chris Henry is a good player but so is Sean O'Brien, we're lucky to have two players in that position." He also made clear that this is his team going forward and it's up to others to force their way in. Puts it up to the likes of Jonny Sexton, Luke Marshall and more to impress the coach.