Ireland v Fiji

[An Tarbh]

Ireland's second match of the Guinness Series sees Fiji visiting the RDS. Ireland will already be without Luke Fitzgerald who has been ruled out for at least 4 months but will we see wholesale changes for the match or will Kidney keep changes to a minimum. I imagine it'll be more of the latter. Sexton should get his start at fly half, Cullen may come into the second row, Leamy and Best might get a run in the back row and Earls will definitely start but whether there'll be other changes remains to be seen.

Kidney will name his team tomorrow afternoon.

 

[MunsterMan]

Fitz out for 4-6 months

1. Healy
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell ©
6. Leamy
7. Best
8. Heaslip
9. O'Leary
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Wallace
13. Bowe
14. Horgan
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Court
18. O'Callaghan
19. O'Brien
20. Reddan
21. Trimble
22. Felix Jones/Ian Humphreys

Only 6 new names on the teamsheet compared to yesterday, which is about what you would expect from DK.

 

[feicarsinn]

Is that the actual team?

 

[MunsterMan]

No sorry, but I'd be happy enough if it was. If it turns out to be the actual team you guys owe me a bazillion repz

 

[feicarsinn]

Hmm sounds fair.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (MunsterMan @ Nov 16 2009, 08:22 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Fitz out for 4-6 months

1. Healy
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell ©
6. Leamy
7. Best
8. Heaslip
9. O'Leary
10. Sexton
11. Earls
12. Wallace
13. Bowe
14. Horgan
15. Kearney

16. Cronin
17. Court
18. O'Callaghan
19. O'Brien
20. Reddan
21. Trimble
22. Felix Jones/Ian Humphreys

Only 6 new names on the teamsheet compared to yesterday, which is about what you would expect from DK.[/b]

That's close to the team I'd go for.

I agree that the front row shouldn't be changed. Flannery and Hayes need game time while Healy needs experience. I'd like to see Cronin and Court replace the Munster guys after 50-60 minutes.

Second row is exactly how I see it. If Cullen bolsters the scrum, he could force his way past O'Callaghan. O'Callaghan can replace O'Connell with about 15 minutes remaining.

I'd go with Ferris, O'Brien and Leamy in the backrow. Heaslip and Wallace play far too much rugby and need a rest. Ferris is slightly lacking on gametime. O'Brien reportedly had a stormer in the A game last week and is potentially a Wallace clone. Leamy needs to show that he's a viable alternative to Heaslip. I'd have Neil Best on the bench with him replacing Ferris at some stage.

I'd consider going with Eoin Reddan at scrum half since he's developed a partnership with Johnny Sexton already. Won't complain if O'Leary gets the nod though since he needs to play himself into some form before the South Africa game. I'd give the scrumhalves a half each. O'Gara would be my choice to be the sub flyhalf - Humphreys hasn't earned a bench spot just yet.

The 3/4 is exactly how I'd have it although Trimble may get a shot in the team with Earls reverting to fullback for Kearney. If Trimble doesn't start, there's no point having him in the squad since D'arcy covers centre better and Bowe covers the wing.

My team:
15. Kearney
14. Horgan
13. Bowe
12. Wallace
11. Earls
10. Sexton
9. O'Leary
1. Healy
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. O'Brien (could be my Leinster bias showing!)
8. Leamy

Bench: Cronin, Court, O'Callaghan, Best, Reddan, O'Gara, D'arcy

 

[shazbooger]

I'd expect Reddan, Sexton and Earls (enforced) to come in but that'll be about it.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

From Leinster's website (hence the reason Leinster players are bolded):
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div>

Meanwhile, the following players have been added to the Ireland panel for training this week: Tony Buckley, Gordon D'Arcy, John Fogarty, Chris Henry, Shane Horgan, Denis Hurley, Felix Jones, Sean O'Brien, Devin Toner, Andrew Trimble, Brett Wilkinson, Fergus McFadden, Kevin McLaughlin and Peter Stringer.[/b]

 

[Nickdnz]

Devin Toner is the massive 6'10'' lock right?

My money is that Fiji will win this by 13+...or maybe not.

 

[munstermuffin]

Think maybe Denis Hurley deserves game too although it unlikely.

 

[Juggernaut]

I hope we get thrashed by an Irish 2nd XV so the world can see the idiotic ****-poor decision made by the Fiji RU in axing Tabua and appointing an unknown as head coach.

Then the team selection was screwed up as well....


Ireland by 60.

 

[MunsterMan]

France beat South Africa because they took them on up front, and battered them, SA never had secure possession because of the likes of Dussatior and Harinordoquy scavenging and Millo-Chusky and Nallet counter rucking like madmen. Our back row was just not physical enough against Australia, which is why I would definitely start Neil Best against Fiji and seriously consider Bob Casey.

Neil Best at 7 for the SA game is a serious option for the management to think about, how they accommodate him I don't know, as you can't really drop any of our backrow. I think DOC should and will start against SA though, he just needs that fire lit under him like he had when he was in the last year of his contract a season ago, and playing the best stuff of his career and he will tear into those Boks. Maybe letting DOC know his place in the squad is not guaranteed would have the same effect (Not to say he is playing badly, just not as well as we know he can).

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Ireland team announced:

15. Kearney
14. Horgan
13. O'Driscoll
12. D'arcy
11. Earls
10. Sexton
9. Reddan
1. Court
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Leamy
8. Heaslip
Bench: Cronin, Buckley, O'Callaghan, O'Brien, O'Leary, Wallace, Trimble

Eight changes. Healy took a knock to the shoulder and is out for this week but should be okay for South Africa. Debut for Sexton with possible debuts for Cronin and O'Brien. I'm not sure Buckley should have been parachuted in ahead of Brett Wilkinson or Mike Ross but it's no major problem.

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Nov 17 2009, 01:23 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Ireland team announced:

15. Kearney
14. Horgan
13. O'Driscoll
12. D'arcy
11. Earls
10. Sexton
9. Reddan
1. Court
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Leamy
8. Heaslip
Bench: Cronin, Buckley, O'Callaghan, O'Brien, O'Leary, Wallace, Trimble

Eight changes. Healy took a knock to the shoulder and is out for this week but should be okay for South Africa. Debut for Sexton with possible debuts for Cronin and O'Brien. I'm not sure Buckley should have been parachuted in ahead of Brett Wilkinson or Mike Ross but it's no major problem.[/b]

Leamy not a 7 !!!
Think Mike Ross can wave bye bye to his international hopes now as Wilkinson is ahead and obviously Declan Kidney prefer Buckley's power highly in his options.

Surprised to see O'Brien on bench but can't say it not merited by his performances for Leinster and Ireland 'A'.
But if this keeps going what will happen as I think Jennings is loosing out big time due to suspension.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (munstermuffin @ Nov 17 2009, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Think Mike Ross can wave bye bye to his international hopes now as Wilkinson is ahead and obviously Declan Kidney prefer Buckley's power highly in his options.[/b]

Ross is a tighthead and Wilkinson a loosehead so it's not necessarily true that it's the Connacht guy keeping him out. However the fact that an unfit Tony Buckley is picked ahead of Ross is indication as to where the Leinster player stands in Declan Kidney's eyes. Ross is a good scrummager but needs to step up the rest of his game. Buckley is a shite scrummager but when he pulls his finger out of his ass, he has good ball carrying, rucking and counter rucking skills. What he lacks is motivation.

From the press conference, it sounded as though the coach wants to see Ireland play more expansive rugby than they did last season. Hopefully the shackles will be freed from Kearney, Earls et al.

 

[munstermuffin]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Nov 17 2009, 07:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (munstermuffin @ Nov 17 2009, 07:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Think Mike Ross can wave bye bye to his international hopes now as Wilkinson is ahead and obviously Declan Kidney prefer Buckley's power highly in his options.[/b]

Ross is a tighthead and Wilkinson a loosehead so it's not necessarily true that it's the Connacht guy keeping him out. However the fact that an unfit Tony Buckley is picked ahead of Ross is indication as to where the Leinster player stands in Declan Kidney's eyes. Ross is a good scrummager but needs to step up the rest of his game. Buckley is a shite scrummager but when he pulls his finger out of his ass, he has good ball carrying, rucking and counter rucking skills. What he lacks is motivation.

From the press conference, it sounded as though the coach wants to see Ireland play more expansive rugby than they did last season. Hopefully the shackles will be freed from Kearney, Earls et al.
[/b][/quote]
I know that they not in direct competition but in terms of promotion to bench like Wilkinson will get nod ahead of Ross should situation happen.
And if word on street is true and Wilkinson comes to Munster as Horan isn't ever goin to be able for as much as before and Wilkinson getting games he will be even further ahead and pushing Healy (although I think Healy in for long time now)

You said it if Buckley got act together and improved his scrummaging he could be a major part when Hayes goes.
But yeah Ireland should be expansive and let loose.

 

[Juggernaut]

I dont know when the Fiji lineup will be named....****** me off the way they delay it.

Anyhoo, Norman Ligairi, Apolosi Satala & Timoci Nagusa has joined the boys and all looking likely to start.

Probable Fiji Lineup:
1. Dewes, 2. Ledua, 3. Manu, 4. Rawaqa, 5. Lewaravu, 6. Satala, 7. Qera, 8. Bola, 9. Rauluni, 10. Little, 11. Nagusa, 12. Bai [C], 13. Goneva, 14. Roko, 15. Ligairi

 

[shtove]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (snoopy snoopy dog dog @ Nov 18 2009, 01:23 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div>

Ireland team announced:

15. Kearney
14. Horgan
13. O'Driscoll
12. D'arcy
11. Earls
10. Sexton
9. Reddan
1. Court
2. Flannery
3. Hayes
4. Cullen
5. O'Connell
6. Ferris
7. Leamy
8. Heaslip
Bench: Cronin, Buckley, O'Callaghan, O'Brien, O'Leary, Wallace, Trimble

Eight changes. Healy took a knock to the shoulder and is out for this week but should be okay for South Africa. Debut for Sexton with possible debuts for Cronin and O'Brien. I'm not sure Buckley should have been parachuted in ahead of Brett Wilkinson or Mike Ross but it's no major problem.[/b]

Excellent opportunity for Sexton with Darse and Horgan outside. Very wise by Kidney.

If Sexton performs, Ireland will clean up. Can he manage his midfield? And cross-kick to the big man? If he doesn't perform, I guess it's back to a conservative GrandSlam plan, but I'd like to see Darse and Horgan stay.

Looking forward to this. Who's broadcasting in UK?

 

[Olyy]

As far as i know, it's not being shown in the UK =/
The BBC have got the Scotland/Australia game on instead

 

[Juggernaut]

FIJI:15 Norman Ligairi, 14 Vereniki Goneva, 13 Gabiriele Lovobalavu, 12 Seremaia Bai ©, 11 Nasoni Roko, 10 Nicky Little, 9 Mosese Rauluni, 8 Asaeli Boko, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Apolosi Satala, 5 Ifereimi Rawaqa 4 Wame Lewaravu 3 Viliame Seuseu 2 Viliame Veikoso 1 Asaike Tarogi.
Replacements:16 Isireli Ledua 17 Graham Dewes 18 Leone Nakarawa 19 Samu Bola 20 Waisale Vatuvoka 21 Josh Matavesi 22 Timoci Nagusa


5 changes altogether from the team that played Scotland.

Bugger, I still dont know why they're playing Boko at 8 when Samu Bola is the ideal man for this match....and why the f**k are they starting Veikoso again at hooker. :wall:
Deacon Manu out of the 22 while Nagusa comes onto the bench.

EDIT: and when the hell did Seuseu joined the team.