Guinness Pro 12 2014/15: Round 3

[Leonormous Boozer]

Heard McGrath made big boohoo at end thought to cause a turnover? Haven't seen game but Reddan is Ireland's #2 scrum half in Schmidts eyes and surely that a factor.

Knocked it on when the game was lost, he had more positives in 5 minutes than Reddan had in 75. No 2 scrum half is Marmion based on his man shaming of Reddan tonight.

 

[munstermuffin]

Knocked it on when the game was lost, he had more positives in 5 minutes than Reddan had in 75. No 2 scrum half is Marmion based on his man shaming of Reddan tonight.

I can't comment as I didn't see game yet but have flu so will watch it today I recorded it and will squeeze in other 2. But hope he can kick on as he's a good player. What happened that McGrath got on bench?

 

[Gavin]

Aled Brew needs to keep quiet

 

[Bluemoon]

Really impressed with Glasgow this season so far. They look like serious early contenders.

 

[munstermuffin]

Finally got to see game. Points from neutral on Leinster vs Connacht.

Kearneys defensive work is poor lads. Great player going forward and under high ball but tackling is poor.
Connacht were excellent. Magical 2nd half.
Marmion was excellent and himself and Murray are surely Ireland's top 2 9s. Was massively impressed by Connachts front row. The way they recovered in the scrum and held out. A big factor in game was keeping Leinster out right before half time. Also McCarthy was poor. His role is to be disruptive but he seemed totry too hard and was involved with a lot go the poor bits for Leinster.
Have to say Leinster centres were ok too and there was few positives too.

 

[Peat]

Knocked it on when the game was lost, he had more positives in 5 minutes than Reddan had in 75. No 2 scrum half is Marmion based on his man shaming of Reddan tonight.

Yeah, but it's not based on that. Given Schmidt's clear dissatisfaction with some element of Marmion's game to date, I'd be surprised if he's Ireland's no2 anytime soon.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yeah, but it's not based on that. Given Schmidt's clear dissatisfaction with some element of Marmion's game to date, I'd be surprised if he's Ireland's no2 anytime soon.

I wouldn't be surprised! Reddan has looked very slow for a while now and his box kick is poor. Whatever Marmion's weakness is he is at least as good as Reddan and like Luke McGrath will most certainly be better in 6 months.

 

[Peat]

I wouldn't be surprised! Reddan has looked very slow for a while now and his box kick is poor. Whatever Marmion's weakness is he is at least as good as Reddan and like Luke McGrath will most certainly be better in 6 months.

We're talking about a player that Schmidt had behind Isaac Boss until pretty recently. I don't know what about him pings the Schmidt-o-meter, but it must be pretty substantial, enough that I doubt that Schmidt will see him as good as Reddan. I think by the time that Reddan deteriorates to the point Schmidt would have to play Marmion, he'll probably skip him for McGrath.

 

[Groundhog]

Marmion is an excellent footballer and has continued to look great behind a pack that's often going backwards. He has all the instincts of a great 9 and he can only improve with time behind an excellent pack. I think he's Ireland's second form 9 although it's early days yet. I'd like to know what Schmidt's issue with his game is because I think he's very well rounded.
Just wanted to say that Poolman is a classy player too for my money.
Slightly off topic but one of Cooney or McGrath could do with moving to Munster for substantial game time. Only issue is the fact that I'm sure both have starting ambitions with Reddan and Boss ageing.

 

[profitius]

We're talking about a player that Schmidt had behind Isaac Boss until pretty recently. I don't know what about him pings the Schmidt-o-meter, but it must be pretty substantial, enough that I doubt that Schmidt will see him as good as Reddan. I think by the time that Reddan deteriorates to the point Schmidt would have to play Marmion, he'll probably skip him for McGrath.

Maybe Reddan and Boss were there because they knew Schmidts gameplan inside out while Marmion didn't and is inexperienced. In fairness to Reddan it was probably his first game of the season so he is bound to be very rusty. It was wet and windy too which made things harder.

I think Luke McGrath is well behind Marmion. His passing is below the required standard at the moment.

 

[Amiga500]

Slightly off topic but one of Cooney or McGrath could do with moving to Munster for substantial game time.

Well... maybe.

But they might have ambitions of playing on the European stage in the super-dooper cup.

:lol:

 

[Peat]

Maybe Reddan and Boss were there because they knew Schmidts gameplan inside out while Marmion didn't and is inexperienced. In fairness to Reddan it was probably his first game of the season so he is bound to be very rusty. It was wet and windy too which made things harder.

I think Luke McGrath is well behind Marmion. His passing is below the required standard at the moment.

Might be that simple, although he didn't hesitate to stick Jackson in ahead of Madigan when similar logic would suggest otherwise.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well... maybe.

But they might have ambitions of playing on the European stage in the super-dooper cup.

:lol:

That'll rule out ulster so

@Groundhog
Cooney is at Connacht now on loan but Leinster put a clause in that doesn't allow him play against them. That's why he missed Fridays game. Interesting they didn't do same with Roux.
McGrath was approached by Munster but IRFU didn't allow it go far as he's a requirement with the possibility Boss and Reddan will miss parts of season with international camps and both have games quotas.

Peat - Madigan only plays his gameplan. Off the cuff maverick style. He hasn't got the control game for international 10 but certainly ticks boxes for a 12.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Might be that simple, although he didn't hesitate to stick Jackson in ahead of Madigan when similar logic would suggest otherwise.

At the same time Madigan was in very poor form. If poor form continues for Boss, which it will, and Reddan, which is very possible, Schmidt has no reason to pick either of them and neither does O'Connor.

@Profitius I wouldn't agree that McGrath is well behind, Marmion is the better player no doubt but there are aspects of McGrath's game which are far more advanced. He throws one or two loose passes a game but apart from that he's quick and lively around the fringes, unlike his Leinster team-mates and his box kick is better than Marmion's. Marmion is a better passer and runner but lacks intelligence and is prone to making unforced errors at the higher levels of the game. Obviously McGrath hasn't played at these levels and it can't be compared but I think, given 12-18 months he'll be the better of the two players. He comes across as the more natural 9 to me.

 

[munstermuffin]

At the same time Madigan was in very poor form. If poor form continues for Boss, which it will, and Reddan, which is very possible, Schmidt has no reason to pick either of them and neither does O'Connor.

@Profitius I wouldn't agree that McGrath is well behind, Marmion is the better player no doubt but there are aspects of McGrath's game which are far more advanced. He throws one or two loose passes a game but apart from that he's quick and lively around the fringes, unlike his Leinster team-mates and his box kick is better than Marmion's. Marmion is a better passer and runner but lacks intelligence and is prone to making unforced errors at the higher levels of the game. Obviously McGrath hasn't played at these levels and it can't be compared but I think, given 12-18 months he'll be the better of the two players. He comes across as the more natural 9 to me.

All true although they're both top players the key is game time. Mcgrath needs to sharpen up pass too but game time is key. Players can get to a certain stage on potential but after that it's game time or nothing. Ian Nagle is 1 example. Another is Paul Marshall. There's a few from all provinces but no doubt if McGrath starts to play regular he'll really rise up the ranks. And next year with Sexton outside him he'll have a very reliable pilot to help him.

 

[Peat]

That's the Paul Marshall who's Ulster's 6th most capped player currently playing, right? I know there's been plenty of sub appearances in there, but I don't think shortage of game time has been a particular issue for him...

 

[Groundhog]

That's the Paul Marshall who's Ulster's 6th most capped player currently playing, right? I know there's been plenty of sub appearances in there, but I don't think shortage of game time has been a particular issue for him...

There's the real issue.

 

[munstermuffin]

That's the Paul Marshall who's Ulster's 6th most capped player currently playing, right? I know there's been plenty of sub appearances in there, but I don't think shortage of game time has been a particular issue for him...

Yea same 1 who still hasn't broke in to Ulsters 1st XV for big game and was once tipped to be an international. Game time isn't issue but in big games. He never pushed on from few years ago. And yes you can say he's behind Pienaar but most NIQs are moved on if players behind are capable.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yea same 1 who still hasn't broke in to Ulsters 1st XV for big game and was once tipped to be an international. Game time isn't issue but in big games. He never pushed on from few years ago. And yes you can say he's behind Pienaar but most NIQs are moved on if players behind are capable.

Or even if there not! *See Nathan Hines.
Ulster need Pienaar though, he's more important to them than Johnny Sexton was to Leinster.

 

[Peat]

Or even if there not! *See Nathan Hines.
Ulster need Pienaar though, he's more important to them than Johnny Sexton was to Leinster.

Largely because Small Paul is so far off the needed quality its not funny, despite a fair amount of big game time. Just too erratic, apart from one purple patch, and that doesn't look like ever changing.

Speaking of Marmion though -

The clamour to pick Connacht's Kieran Marmion looks set to grow after his virtuoso try on Friday, after which his captain John Muldoon described him as "the best No 9 in Ireland".

"Kieran's ability to snipe around the rucks was well known to us, but he fairly demonstrated it again on Friday night," Schmidt said.

He added wryly: "Look, there's all sorts of opinions that and I think John's perfectly entitled to his, as are the number of the selectors that exist in Ireland. There wouldn't be too many weeks go by where I don't receive some sort of indication of who I should select."

http://www.independent.ie/sport/rug...ars-grow-as-schmidt-plots-ahead-30604544.html

Hardly the most glowing endorsement