Ireland RWC 11 Thread

[munstermuffin]

I don't understand all this nonsense:
Fitzgearld and O'Leary lost out because they got chance after chance over past year and just aren't up to it. Murray and McFadden got a sniff of it and, like they should be, were chomping at the bit and ousted them out.
Donnacha Ryan was always going to go after a superb finish to the season with Munster and well he wasn't superb in matches but going well in training according to reports and none of his competition really stood up.
Jennings was never going to go because he has never really impressed in a green shirt and well even Leinster fans agree that Jennings is a totally different player for Leinster and Ireland. I'm not saying he doesn't try for Ireland it's just some players are like that.
Kidney picked mostly form and well even though I not Trimble's biggest fan he is an example that he went out played superb and well Kidney had to go "Right he has to go" simple as that.
Only player in that 30 I'd question is Buckley because if he had any competition then he wouldn't be going and well Kidney say's "he can play on both side" well obviously he's saying the man is playing on both teams or both sides of the fence but hell it not on both sides of the scrum.

 

[Logorrhea]

Pointless arguing about selections. O'Leary not being there is good for everyone concerned. Leamy, Ryan, Buckley and P Wallace are a waste of the seats they are about to occupy.

Really dissapointed for Luke but Jennos ommission was typical kiddenme. Good enough to win two HEC, not good enough to play ahead of Munsters reserve number 8? Right up ther with selection MOD over Cullen.

 

[munstermuffin]

Pointless arguing about selections. O'Leary not being there is good for everyone concerned. Leamy, Ryan, Buckley and P Wallace are a waste of the seats they are about to occupy.

Really dissapointed for Luke but Jennos ommission was typical kiddenme. Good enough to win two HEC, not good enough to play ahead of Munsters reserve number 8? Right up ther with selection MOD over Cullen.

Log - I don't understand your point as firstly Jennings had a chance on Saturday and was a fan it seemed. And has never performed in green, add in he hasn't played much due to injury so again can't argue much with this call. And if you watched Munster much you'd realise Leamy hasn't played much at 8 for us in a long time and when he was coming off bench (there due to poor form and injury) he was playing 6. O'Brien is Irelands back-up 8 and Leamy is there incase Ferris get's crocked. And Leamy has 2 HEC too so that comment about Jennings 2 doesn't really count does it .
And just out of curiosity - who'd you have taken that was in the squad so ahead of Leamy, Ryan, Buckley and P.Wallace (remember we need a 3rd choice 10) ?????
Because I will say it simple
Buckley: Going because Kidney deems him the best of a poor selection
Leamy: Ahead of Jennings who is poor in green and that is a fact, McCarthy did OK against Scotland but supposedly his age and lack of experience told in trainings and was out of depht, McLaughlin who was **** poor against Connacht and well looks to be gone back a long way ??????
Donnacha Ryan: Did well in his game time nothing spectacular but noone took their shot to overtake him as his 2 main contenders choked.
P. Wallace: Had to go as 3rd choice 10 and well again no other player Luke Fitz etc performed to dislodge him and put threat to his place.

 

[munstermuffin]

Also if you seen squad Cullen is going to RWC and MOD is not but Cullen hasn't been in great form either but is a good leader and fact is nobody such as Micko etc stepped up and took their chance.

 

[gingergenius]

Geordan Murphy over Fitzgerald? Hahaha. Still, not nearly as many errors as the England squad will have, so I can't laugh for long.

 

[munstermuffin]

Geordan Murphy over Fitzgerald? Hahaha. Still, not nearly as many errors as the England squad will have, so I can't laugh for long.

Again Murphy is only option at 15 if Kearney get's injured. Luke showed that he isn't a 15 in 6 Nations and well had awful form,

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Leamy, Ryan, Buckley and P Wallace are a waste of the seats they are about to occupy.

I'm glad somebody else thinks Leamy is lucky to be on the plane. Sean O'Brien is a better option to backup Jamie Heaslip and all of O'Brien, Stephen Ferris and Donnacha Ryan can cover the blindside. I'd have taken another dedicated second row (Mick O'Driscoll), Rhys Ruddock or Shane Jennings ahead of Denis Leamy. Jennings would be my prefered candidate, not because of outstanding performances but because he can cover 7 in the possible absence of David Wallace. Tony Buckle and Paddy Wallace shouldn't be there with Jamie Hagan and Ian Keatley being better options. The coach missed a trick in not selecting them enough in the warm up games.

I agree with not taking Luke Fitzgerald. He's been awful for the last year and one good run against France in garbage time doesn't change that fact.

 

[Feicarsinn]

It doesn't matter if Leamy, Buckle or Paddy Wallace travel over Jenno, Hayes or Fitzgealrd imo. They most likely won't get used in an important match anyways. It's all about having a decent 22 for Australia and Italy. After that it's a bit academic. Ferris or O'Brien will be the sub backrow, Earls will be the sub back and ROG will be the sub 10. Barring injury none of the above should feature save against Russia and the US.

Good to see Murray in there, better to see Tomas O'Leary at home.

 

[munstermuffin]

It doesn't matter if Leamy, Buckle or Paddy Wallace travel over Jenno, Hayes or Fitzgealrd imo. They most likely won't get used in an important match anyways. It's all about having a decent 22 for Australia and Italy. After that it's a bit academic. Ferris or O'Brien will be the sub backrow, Earls will be the sub back and ROG will be the sub 10. Barring injury none of the above should feature save against Russia and the US.

Good to see Murray in there, better to see Tomas O'Leary at home.

I can accept Hagan and especially Keatley after the other night against Connacht and his early form for us but I was being realistic when making point that there was noone within the squad that was credible but Jennings is a specialist 7 but I am sure it counted against him that he rarely plays well and was poor last Sat to put the knife in his squad

 

[Tom943]

No fitzgeralrd??? Thought he looked good in the warm ups

 

[profitius]

I think Fitz is the most unlucky but then again he has made too many mistakes throughout the season with Ireland and Leinster. Earls had a nightmare against France but he was very good throughout the season. McFadden has gotten limited opportunity but has been solid whenever he has played.

Decent squad overall. Mike Ross looks to be the most important player along with BOD and POC. Any of those get injured and we're in trouble.

 

[ianm]

The first XV virtually picks itself with three or four exceptions.

1 Assuming Tommy Bowe is fit, who will play on the opposite wing _ Andrew Trimble is in pole position but at his best Keith Earls is a better finisher.
2 Rory Best or Jerry Flannery at hooker. Now that the Munster man appears to be on the road to full fitness, I think he could edge out Best
3 Possibly the toughest call of the lot. The back row may be an Irish strength but which combination? Heaslip is a shoe-in but does Kidney go with Wallace and O'Brien, who were so impressive in the Six Nations or throw in Ferris, who when fit is indisputably world class but could upset the balance.
4 Scum half. Reddan looks to be No. 1 almost by default. Boss is more an impact player. Don't rule out Murray coming from nowhere to claim the jersey.

 

[Logorrhea]

It doesn't matter if Leamy, Buckle or Paddy Wallace travel over Jenno, Hayes or Fitzgealrd imo. They most likely won't get used in an important match anyways.

Ferris has played about 20 minutes of rugby in the last 12 months. Wallace hasnt played a minute all summer. Who the hell is going to step in to cover these two backrow players? Denis Leamy and Donnacha Ryan is who. Christ its a pathetic, imbalanced selection. Seriously imagine either of these two playing in our backrow against a top-tier nation. It'll be a joke.

D Ryan is meant to be able to play 4 and 6, but he cant play 6. Should have brought a specialist 4.

As for Buckle, hes going to play a key role in conceeding penalties for the last 10-20 minutes of every game he comes in for, probably losing us a tight match in the end. A prop must be able to scrummage first and foremost. Buckley cannot scrummage he should not be travelling. What happens if Ross gets injured?

Paddy Wallace has been given ample opportunity to impress, Three or four years actually ...... why is he going exactly?

 

[munstermuffin]

Ferris has played about 20 minutes of rugby in the last 12 months. Wallace hasnt played a minute all summer. Who the hell is going to step in to cover these two backrow players? Denis Leamy and Donnacha Ryan is who. Christ its a pathetic, imbalanced selection. Seriously imagine either of these two playing in our backrow against a top-tier nation. It'll be a joke.

D Ryan is meant to be able to play 4 and 6, but he cant play 6. Should have brought a specialist 4.

As for Buckle, hes going to play a key role in conceeding penalties for the last 10-20 minutes of every game he comes in for, probably losing us a tight match in the end. A prop must be able to scrummage first and foremost. Buckley cannot scrummage he should not be travelling. What happens if Ross gets injured?

Paddy Wallace has been given ample opportunity to impress, Three or four years actually ...... why is he going exactly?

Again looking at training squad picked who would you bring instead that has staked a claim.
Ferris has been tested in training alot harder than matches and these guys play training games too and while it not same intensity I've no doubt they will cope.

But in that squad again I'd ask who would you bring instead of players named and that actually staked a good claim?
And well you say bring a specialist 4 instead of Ryan well then just consider Ryan a specialist 4 as he will only play 6 in an emergency and well if there is an injury a replacement can be flown over to get a chance.

 

[coonor]

I still would have rather taken Jennings than Leamy as although Leamy has been fairly good in the warm up games we lack a real 7 and Jennings may have had a poor game on Saturday but he has had a great season at Leinster and has shown he can really change a game while Leamy has been disappointing all season really.

 

[munstermuffin]

I still would have rather taken Jennings than Leamy as although Leamy has been fairly good in the warm up games we lack a real 7 and Jennings may have had a poor game on Saturday but he has had a great season at Leinster and has shown he can really change a game while Leamy has been disappointing all season really.

While I understand that thinking - Sean O'Brien is the 2nd choice 7 and well Jennings has never played well for Ireland and had a golden chance Saturday to force his way in again and didn't take it. Leamy has had good form in warm up games and won his seat fairly. What is point in bringing a natural 7 if he isn't doing the business. It's the same as Trimble if you asked me in May would I bring him it'd be a loud No but fair play he got his chance and was hungry and took it and now is in contention to start the big games. The same goes for Murray and McFadden. If Jennings was up to the battle then he'd have earned a jersey and well I know he had an injury but he's never taken his chances with Ireland.

 

[Logorrhea]

although Leamy has been fairly good in the warm up games

No he hasnt. Hes offered absolutely nothing time and time again while playing 8 or 6. Nowhere near good enough for international rugby. Same with Ryan. He looked about 10 yards off the pace against Scotland and France but because he fell over with the ball (behind the gain line of course) a few times everyone thinks hes some kinda rugby player. Hes not good enough as a 6 or a 4.

These guys didnt need to prove themselves, they were always going to travel regardless of how bad they have been, and continue to be. The same applies to Wallace and Buckley. They are part of the old faithful, a few of Kiddenme's own players. Why would you want to drop them for a couple of talented up and commers (that arent from the red province I mean), or HEC winners?

 

[munstermuffin]

No he hasnt. Hes offered absolutely nothing time and time again while playing 8 or 6. Nowhere near good enough for international rugby. Same with Ryan. He looked about 10 yards off the pace against Scotland and France but because he fell over with the ball (behind the gain line of course) a few times everyone thinks hes some kinda rugby player. Hes not good enough as a 6 or a 4.

These guys didnt need to prove themselves, they were always going to travel regardless of how bad they have been, and continue to be. The same applies to Wallace and Buckley. They are part of the old faithful, a few of Kiddenme's own players. Why would you want to drop them for a couple of talented up and commers (that arent from the red province I mean), or HEC winners?

Again if you look at the squad who are the alternatives. And Log you do know Leamy has 2 HEC medals. Paddy Wallace has an U19 World Cup medal. And well Leamy hasn't been this bad and Kidney gave lads chances but nobody again took the chance. So instead of slating the coach despite him making the right tough calls axing O'Leary and Fitzgearld answer who was worth their salt.
You slate Ryan for his performances but he outplayed Cullen in the Scottish game and well that isn't saying Cullen is bad, Ryan had a superb season last year and well earned his spot.
But then again you say why would he drop them for "talented up and commers" well can I ask who you mean and well which HEC winners has he overlooked?

I asked 3 times in recent posts who the alternatives are and well you didn't answer?

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

So what if Denis Leamy has two Heineken Cup medals? So have Kevin McLaughlin and Shane Jennings. That u19 "World Cup" we in Ireland keep talking about didn't feature South Africa and New Zealand and Ireland only won the semi final against Argentina (I think) on a penalty shoot out. It wasn't an iRB tournament as far as I remember.

The best alternative to Leamy is Jennings. Jennings is a first team regular for the defending Heineken Cup champions and a dedicated openside. Leamy is a blindside/8 who was dropped by Muinster at the end of last season. I think it would have made more sense to pick an openside given injury worries to David Wallace.

The alternatives to Paddy Wallace are Luke Fitzgerald and Ian Keatley. Fitzgerald didn't deserve to go based on his form. I'm disappointed Keatley didn't get the opportunites to show what he can do. I actually don't really mind the Wallace selection but feel there were better options.

Tony Buckle is a joke of a prop and definitely shouldn't have gone. The coach made an error not picking Jamie Hagan at least once to see if he was up to it. Why did John Hayes play against Connacht last week when Hagan was clearly a better option? I'd pick Peter Clohessy, Nick Popplewell, Ginger McLoughlin and even Ryle Nugent at prop before I'd pick Buckle.

 

[munstermuffin]

So what if Denis Leamy has two Heineken Cup medals? So have Kevin McLaughlin and Shane Jennings. That u19 "World Cup" we in Ireland keep talking about didn't feature South Africa and New Zealand and Ireland only won the semi final against Argentina (I think) on a penalty shoot out. It wasn't an iRB tournament as far as I remember.

The best alternative to Leamy is Jennings. Jennings is a first team regular for the defending Heineken Cup champions and a dedicated openside. Leamy is a blindside/8 who was dropped by Muinster at the end of last season. I think it would have made more sense to pick an openside given injury worries to David Wallace.

The alternatives to Paddy Wallace are Luke Fitzgerald and Ian Keatley. Fitzgerald didn't deserve to go based on his form. I'm disappointed Keatley didn't get the opportunites to show what he can do. I actually don't really mind the Wallace selection but feel there were better options.

Tony Buckle is a joke of a prop and definitely shouldn't have gone. The coach made an error not picking Jamie Hagan at least once to see if he was up to it. Why did John Hayes play against Connacht last week when Hagan was clearly a better option? I'd pick Peter Clohessy, Nick Popplewell, Ginger McLoughlin and even Ryle Nugent at prop before I'd pick Buckle.

That was my point Snoop Log kept saying Jennings should be picked because he has 2 HEC medals when that doesn't matter.

And I understand what you are saying but my understanding is this is Kidneys view of pecking order:
At 6: O'Brien, Ferris, Leamy, Ryan
At 7: Wallace, O'Brien, Leamy, Ferris
At 8: Heaslip, O'Brien, Leamy, Wallace

And don't worry about Wallace he will be 100% and no injury doubt and Kidney knows that and it isn't/shouldn't be an issue.

On the Wallace issue, I disagree as he had no competition in the original training squad named. We need a 3rd choice 10 and well there is no alternative. Keatley is flying it for us here and well I expect him to feature alot at 10 and 12 for us while learn alot from ROG and be an a fine option. His early form is superb and he played excellent against Connacht last Thursday but isn't ready for World Cup. Luke Fitz can't cover 10 and people have to remember Luke Fitz lost out to McFadden and noone else and well fact is Kidney got that call 100% correct.

Buckley got selected because the alternatives were worst. I watched Buckley and Hayes and well a very senior member of Munster management was beside me and said to me straight up loosing Buckley off the wage bill was best deal we did in a long time. I'd have brought Hayes ahead of him. But agree Hagan is a better option but Hayes played because he was in original squad and not Hagan. And hence why I was saying the no better call from that original training squad.