Ireland v Australia - 30 November 2024

[General Melchett]

I guess that proves that South Africa and Argentina are the most extreme far right nationalist rugby nations that don't welcome visitors from other countries who are merely seeking a better life for themselves and their families.

 

[BMatt]

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Hate these poachers too brother!

"Foreign born" matters about as much as the percentage of players who like marmite or are left handed.

Some of my examples are a bit dated but Sam Underhill, Ronan O'Gara (United States), George North (England) and Stephen Moore (Saudi Arabia) would all be included above.

Foreign developed is much more relevant, though more difficult to classify and there will always be adge cases.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

"Foreign born" matters about as much as the percentage of players who like marmite or are left handed.

Some of my examples are a bit dated but Sam Underhill, Ronan O'Gara (United States), George North (England) and Stephen Moore (Saudi Arabia) would all be included above.

Foreign developed is much more relevant, though more difficult to classify and there will always be adge cases.

I was being entirely sarcastic. Everyone who currently plays for us is either a citizen or entitled to citizenship of Ireland so I'm not fussed at all.

The three year rule to switch nations is currently the only thing I'm against in eligibility laws.

 

[General Melchett]

I was being entirely sarcastic. Everyone who currently plays for us is either a citizen or entitled to citizenship of Ireland so I'm not fussed at all.

The three year rule to switch nations is currently the only thing I'm against in eligibility laws.

Not fussed at all either and agree on the 3 year switch rule. Interestingly people from the nations who are winning RWCs and 6N championships don't seem too bothered either.

Tbh, if people are that upset about the rules they should be lobbying their home rugby union because it was they who signed up to the rules.

 

[Derpus]

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Hate these poachers too brother!

Foreign born aint the issue its the resources spent on developing players that bothers me. I don't care if Japan use a bunch of white dudes as locks if they came through their systems. Plus if you rule out foreign born then half of Australia's citizens would be ineligible.

I think you'll find plenty of Saffas and Kiwis who think current eligibility laws are complete joke.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Foreign born aint the issue its the resources spent on developing players that bothers me. I don't care if Japan use a bunch of white dudes as locks if they came through their systems. Plus if you rule out foreign born then half of Australia's citizens would be ineligible.

I think you'll find plenty of Saffas and Kiwis who think current eligibility laws are complete joke.

It was totally sarcastic.

I think the current rules are fair. Never had an issue with the grandparent rule in any sport. If you look at top sides who have guys that didn't come through early systems they've all developed players in their early 20s anyway.

Aki, Lowe, JGP*, Hansen and Herring were all journeymen and/or fighting just to keep a pro contract before coming here for example. France have their own too, Antonio comes to mind.

*These three qualified under the old three year rule that won't and shouldn't happen again also.

 

[Derpus]

It was totally sarcastic.

I think the current rules are fair. Never had an issue with the grandparent rule in any sport. If you look at top sides who have guys that didn't come through early systems they've all developed players in their early 20s anyway.

Aki, Lowe, JGP*, Hansen and Herring were all journeymen and/or fighting just to keep a pro contract before coming here for example. France have their own too, Antonio comes to mind.

*These three qualified under the old three year rule that won't and shouldn't happen again also.

Hansen was clearly not a journeyman. He was around 20 with 20+ Super Rugby caps, was a junior Wallaby (5 caps) and had just come off a very strong season for the Brumbies. He was stuck behind a couple of Wallabies (who ironically moved on basically as soon as he did) and clearly would have gone on to have a great career in Australia and probably for Australia.

Can't really talk to the rest but on Hansen, at least, you are wrong.

I don't really see why you need the copium either. You got your man and have a great team.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Hansen was clearly not a journeyman. He was around 20 with 20+ Super Rugby caps, was a junior Wallaby (5 caps) and had just come off a very strong season for the Brumbies. He was stuck behind a couple of Wallabies (who ironically moved on basically as soon as he did) and clearly would have gone on to have a great career in Australia and probably for Australia.

Can't really talk to the rest but on Hansen, at least, you are wrong.

I don't really see why you need the copium either. You got your man and have a great team.

It's not copium, I really don't care about these rules as they are. Just what it was sold as here, he was looking for a contract and drank in a pub that Andy Friend's (Connacht coach at the time) son was working at in Canberra. That led to a meeting and they beat a premiership team to him.

Could be inaccurate / purposeful deception but it's all I've read on the matter and from the horse's mouth.

 

[Derpus]

Or Dempsey the bloke who got MotM in a Bledisloe win lol. Anyways whatevs mate best of luck in the match.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Kinsella saying Prendergast will start.

Holy ****

 

[munstermuffin]

Kinsella saying Prendergast will start.

Holy ****

It was expected to be fair. Just hear AF pressers and it not a shock. I hope this really drives Jack to.step up.in European games now.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

IRELAND (v Australia, possible): H Keenan; M Hansen, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, F Bealham; J McCarthy, J Ryan; T Beirne, J van der Flier, Doris (capt). Replacements: G McCarthy, C Healy, T O'Toole, I Henderson, P O'Mahony, C Casey/C Murray, J Crowley, G Ringrose.

Thornley's team. Think Izuchukwu deserved a start with Ryan dropping to the bench. Always prefer Ringet at 13 too.

 

[munstermuffin]

IRELAND (v Australia, possible): H Keenan; M Hansen, R Henshaw, B Aki, J Lowe; S Prendergast, J Gibson-Park; A Porter, R Kelleher, F Bealham; J McCarthy, J Ryan; T Beirne, J van der Flier, Doris (capt). Replacements: G McCarthy, C Healy, T O'Toole, I Henderson, P O'Mahony, C Casey/C Murray, J Crowley, G Ringrose.

Thornley's team. Think Izuchukwu deserved a start with Ryan dropping to the bench. Always prefer Ringet at 13 too.

Not because of the Sam P call but this is a bad bad team. Henderson and POM are very odd bench calls. James Ryan should not be playing. Beirne is not a 6. He is 1 of the best locks in the world FFS.
Very interesting that Ringrose always seems to lose out in alot of these calls when all 3 are fit and firing

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Not because of the Sam P call but this is a bad bad team. Henderson and POM are very odd bench calls. James Ryan should not be playing. Beirne is not a 6. He is 1 of the best locks in the world FFS.
Very interesting that Ringrose always seems to lose out in alot of these calls when all 3 are fit and firing

Yeah don't like Beirne at 6 anymore. Izuchukwu in would fix most of what I dislike.

Ringer started the world cup, would be interested to see a breakdown of who's started when fit.

 

[munstermuffin]

Yeah don't like Beirne at 6 anymore. Izuchukwu in would fix most of what I dislike.

Ringer started the world cup, would be interested to see a breakdown of who's started when fit.

I know but wasn't Henshaw struggling a bit at RWC.

On 6. Beirne is a world class lock. In today's game it different paces and programmes and Tadhg has his based on being a lock. He should be there. It is also stopping us giving a real 6 a chance. Izuchukwu, Prendergast C or someone like that. Our options off the bench are Henderson, who has no form and is on way out of international scene and POM, who is literally on way of game.
If I were Aus I would be aiming to stay alive until 60mins then roll the dice. Healy, POM and Henderson have given super service but of the 3 of them.come on to a pack together that could weaken our pack.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I know but wasn't Henshaw struggling a bit at RWC.

On 6. Beirne is a world class lock. In today's game it different paces and programmes and Tadhg has his based on being a lock. He should be there. It is also stopping us giving a real 6 a chance. Izuchukwu, Prendergast C or someone like that. Our options off the bench are Henderson, who has no form and is on way out of international scene and POM, who is literally on way of game.
If I were Aus I would be aiming to stay alive until 60mins then roll the dice. Healy, POM and Henderson have given super service but of the 3 of them.come on to a pack together that could weaken our pack.

Not until before the Scotland game and Ringer started.

Agreed yeah. Not worried about POM for 20 mins and Healy is depressingly, the 2nd best loosehead available but far from ideal. More annoyed at the likes of Henderson, potentially Murray and even Aki getting nods when performing guys who'll be around in 2027 are not getting chances.

 

[munstermuffin]

Not until before the Scotland game and Ringer started.

Agreed yeah. Not worried about POM for 20 mins and Healy is depressingly, the 2nd best loosehead available but far from ideal. More annoyed at the likes of Henderson, potentially Murray and even Aki getting nods when performing guys who'll be around in 2027 are not getting chances.

That is true also. And I suspect 6 Nations won't see much change with SE just keeping wheels going. It could be an interesting few months