Ireland v New Zealand - 8 November 2024

[munstermuffin]

It only takes one game for you to notice it but when you do it hits you like a tonne of bricks. Ireland are an old team.

There's no recrimination in this because the lads who I have in mind owe us nothing but there are half a dozen players i wouldn't pick again.

Congrats to the Kiwis. Felt embarrassed for us at the start when they played half the national anthem.

100% agree on this. How many are wrong side of 30.
This Irish team are on the way down from a peak and in decline. I don't mean that negatively. The challenge now is transitioning to the next era as smooth.
JGP was Irelands best player tonight. It was the older lads who looked like they wanted it more. Not a dig at Leinster as they are a fine run province but I think it bad for Ireland as a whole to have everything nearly operated from there. The other provinces need to raise game because even Leinster don't benefit from being so far ahead. Alot of younger lads have no edge. I think that is why Leinster needs foreign guys to get over line winning trophies, why Munster are not getting up to top tier and why other 2 are in shits.

 

[TopTen2003]

I wouldn't be overly worried from an Ireland perspective. It was poor, accuracy was awful, far too many penalties, but they weren't blown away.

Games like this are needed and actually will probably be beneficial in the World Cup cycle build.

New Zealand are rarely below par two weeks in a row and they had their rusty performance last week, which is why as an England fan it was so frustrating last week.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Adam Beard wouldn't have looked out of place in that Ireland team tonight.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

On top of no card, I feel the ref has let a lot go for Ireland too.

Ireland know Aussie ref won't want to "ruin the game" by holding a team accountable for actions. So they'll just ruin the games themselves.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

I think this was always going to be tough for Ireland. Some people suggested they'd be right up for it because they would want to get revenge for last year. In reality they would be thinking a win here won't compensate for last year at all. They still got knocked out of a tournament they were favourites to win. The reminder would only hinder them. Rieko leading the haka wouldn't have helped either.

Poor game from Ireland. I feel like their next game will be very important for this team -whether they lock in their decline, or respond.

 

[87Dreamer]

I always cheer for anyone against the All Blacks.

I get that! Similar to the rest of the world against England or the Aussie cricket team

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

That was really really bad. We gave nothing, can't remember any part of the game where I really got into it which says a lot. Teams should have to come to Dublin and take a win from us, we hamded NZ everything they needed to beat us.

Handling errors were terrible, hopefully as a result of trying to implement a new way to attack like 2020/21 but dropping kicks uncontested and open passes was so uncharacteristic.

Most worrying thing was how dumb we were, we didn't adapt to the ref, we didn't adapt to our kicking strategy playing into NZ's hands and we were slow to everything.

I said it at the start that we were a team in decline but I never thought it'd be like that.

I'm worried about 10, Crowley played the game totally scared and took nothing on with a few terrible decisions in there too. Frawley was headless, I wanted him to come on but he needn't have in hindsight.

NZ didn't do much but they were smart and tidy and McKenzie knew exactly what he wanted to do and plotted the way through excellently. Gibson Park, our best player, tried to be that for us but we're not an off 9 team and looked blunt trying to be. Him and Flier are the only lads to come out of that game with good stock from our side.

I don't think that's our level but a few personell changes couldn't hurt. Henderson shouldn't play again this autumn, he was awful. I think we have to start Osborne and put Prendo on the bench next week. Most other positions that need change are about 1-3 years away from having the required standard of replacement.

Feel a bit empty and Dublin was dead tonight. Tough few weeks and months ahead for this group, they need to ground themselves and build up and after three years at the top table with 12 lads in their 30s it's a tough rally.

Not in a way that affected the game but I thought Berry was awful. It was a pretty poor game that never built momentum and his weird reffing of the jackal and taking an age at every scrum played into that.

Not going to any other games this month so the Leinster cap is going back on. Keep Jordie healthy for us lads.

Well done NZ, won the test match and that's the job.

 

[McTallshort]

Feel a bit empty and Dublin was dead tonight.

Have to say I was surprised at the lack of atmosphere in the ground, it was my first international in literally decades and was very excited but most around me didn't seemed that bothered. I almost turned round and asked the two blokes behind me why they bothered to buy tickets if they weren't going to watch the match. Everyone was getting up and getting drinks constantly it all felt a bit flat. Sorry just my experience.

 

[munstermuffin]

The lack of atmosphere is easy to understand. The IRFU have priced tickets to target corporate world and well it showed. Not really a shock there.
Regards 10 I am shocked some in Dublin area questioned Crowley. Statistically he actually did fine. Big issue is there is a push for Sam Prendergast but he has been OK but not superb. And if he is to take the shirt then he needs to cement Leinster shirt too. That looks like it will happen and more so after last night it would be at the expense of Frawley playing 10 much more.
James Ryan will be another that suffers. He has regressed from when he first burst on the scene and as a Leinster fan near me said last night it is light and day between McCarthy and RG to Ryan now.
There will be few big calls next week. Does Henshaw return, is older lads there to play or do we blood new. Cian Healy, POM and Murray were nowhere near plans and was clear last night.
When Jordie Barrett comes is it at expense of Osbourne now getting time at centre or at all in Europe and beyond.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Have to say I was surprised at the lack of atmosphere in the ground, it was my first international in literally decades and was very excited but most around me didn't seemed that bothered. I almost turned round and asked the two blokes behind me why they bothered to buy tickets if they weren't going to watch the match. Everyone was getting up and getting drinks constantly it all felt a bit flat. Sorry just my experience.

Yeah I was ****** off at it, at the veey least we should have sang the Fields of Athenry over the haka. The game didn't produce much to shoit about but I'm not sure it was there anyway.

I don't buy into the opinion of Ireland games not having atmosphere but yesterday was an exception. Maybe something to do with it being a Friday night game with less travelling support from the rest of the country.

 

[Reiser99]

Yeah I was ****** off at it, at the veey least we should have sang the Fields of Athenry over the haka. The game didn't produce much to shoit about but I'm not sure it was there anyway.

I don't buy into the opinion of Ireland games not having atmosphere but yesterday was an exception. Maybe something to do with it being a Friday night game with less travelling support from the rest of the country.

Pfft amateurs, you need a proper atmosphere like Twickenham.

 

[BPM]

I think this was always going to be tough for Ireland. Some people suggested they'd be right up for it because they would want to get revenge for last year. In reality they would be thinking a win here won't compensate for last year at all. They still got knocked out of a tournament they were favourites to win. The reminder would only hinder them. Rieko leading the haka wouldn't have helped either.

Poor game from Ireland. I feel like their next game will be very important for this team -whether they lock in their decline, or respond.

Well, the next game is away to France. In some respects, it's the perfect type of game for a response, but it's a very tough ask.

In context, I don't think Ireland going 2/2 this Autumn would be awful though.

 

[Jimbo]

That was really really bad. We gave nothing, can't remember any part of the game where I really got into it which says a lot. Teams should have to come to Dublin and take a win from us, we hamded NZ everything they needed to beat us.

Handling errors were terrible, hopefully as a result of trying to implement a new way to attack like 2020/21 but dropping kicks uncontested and open passes was so uncharacteristic.

Most worrying thing was how dumb we were, we didn't adapt to the ref, we didn't adapt to our kicking strategy playing into NZ's hands and we were slow to everything.

I said it at the start that we were a team in decline but I never thought it'd be like that.

I'm worried about 10, Crowley played the game totally scared and took nothing on with a few terrible decisions in there too. Frawley was headless, I wanted him to come on but he needn't have in hindsight.

NZ didn't do much but they were smart and tidy and McKenzie knew exactly what he wanted to do and plotted the way through excellently. Gibson Park, our best player, tried to be that for us but we're not an off 9 team and looked blunt trying to be. Him and Flier are the only lads to come out of that game with good stock from our side.

I don't think that's our level but a few personell changes couldn't hurt. Henderson shouldn't play again this autumn, he was awful. I think we have to start Osborne and put Prendo on the bench next week. Most other positions that need change are about 1-3 years away from having the required standard of replacement.

Feel a bit empty and Dublin was dead tonight. Tough few weeks and months ahead for this group, they need to ground themselves and build up and after three years at the top table with 12 lads in their 30s it's a tough rally.

Not in a way that affected the game but I thought Berry was awful. It was a pretty poor game that never built momentum and his weird reffing of the jackal and taking an age at every scrum played into that.

Not going to any other games this month so the Leinster cap is going back on. Keep Jordie healthy for us lads.

Well done NZ, won the test match and that's the job.

Agree with most of this but for the most part I'd argue Ireland did adapt to the ref probably could have communicated with the ref better with the lineout closing NZ were guilty of, if the ref decided to actually ref the offside line and breakdown and enforce cards as suggested he would in the latter stages of the first half Ireland would have seen atleast a card, that didn't happen, these prevented NZ building any real momentum which could have lead to 7 pointers.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Regards 10 I am shocked some in Dublin area questioned Crowley. Statistically he actually did fine. Big issue is there is a push for Sam Prendergast but he has been OK but not superb. And if he is to take the shirt then he needs to cement Leinster shirt too. That looks like it will happen and more so after last night it would be at the expense of Frawley playing 10 much more.

Crowley was shocking last night, there's no debate. Everyone in the stadium wanted Frawley on when it happened, unfortunately he was far worse though.

Any calls for Sam to start a game this autumn are mad but I'd have him on the bench for the next three behind Crowley. If the tier 2 game was against anyone but Fiji I'd start Sam but we shouldn't make the mistake of throwing a young 10 out to be Fiji's target practice like what happened to Carbery.

James Ryan will be another that suffers. He has regressed from when he first burst on the scene and as a Leinster fan near me said last night it is light and day between McCarthy and RG to Ryan now.

I don't think this is true, he'll play loads.

There will be few big calls next week. Does Henshaw return, is older lads there to play or do we blood new. Cian Healy, POM and Murray were nowhere near plans and was clear last night.

Baird and Prendergast onto the bench for Henderson and Frawley, switch Osborne and Ringrose and maybe get Casey in but hard to judge Murray yesterday.

When Jordie Barrett comes is it at expense of Osbourne now getting time at centre or at all in Europe and beyond.

I think Osborne will play 14 while Jordie is here and at full strength. You'd take him over Jimmy or Larmour imo. Selection will likely be dictated by injuries in any case.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Agree with most of this but for the most part I'd argue Ireland did adapt to the ref probably could have communicated with the ref better with the lineout closing NZ were guilty of, if the ref decided to actually ref the offside line and breakdown and enforce cards as suggested he would in the latter stages of the first half Ireland would have seen atleast a card, that didn't happen, these prevented NZ building any real momentum which could have lead to 7 pointers.

I agree on the yellow card, we should have seen one. I think world rugby needs to cone up with a defined system for team yellow cards. 8 pens = yellow and redzone pens count for double or something like that.

Don't think we adapted at all well though. 13 penalties is a pretty shocking return considering only one was for holding on. Not controlling the controllables.

 

[big ginger 8]

Bit worried about the loss of Catt, my feeling is that Goodman's attack with Leinster was quite direct which won't translate well to international level.

Obviously it took Catt a good while to properly imbed his system so one game is way too early for proper fears but something I'm concerned about.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Bit worried about the loss of Catt, my feeling is that Goodman's attack with Leinster was quite direct which won't translate well to international level.

Obviously it took Catt a good while to properly imbed his system so one game is way too early for proper fears but something I'm concerned about.

Yeah, Leinster looking 10 times more attacking this year too.Goodman's strengths were starter and trick plays. Don't translate so much to the international game.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

New fav player

 

[Reiser99]

I agree on the yellow card, we should have seen one. I think world rugby needs to cone up with a defined system for team yellow cards. 8 pens = yellow and redzone pens count for double or something like that.

Don't think we adapted at all well though. 13 penalties is a pretty shocking return considering only one was for holding on. Not controlling the controllables.

I can see the logic, but why do international refs need to have their hands held like that? Berry gave a clear warning and then Ireland continued to infringe and he did nothing. If he can't follow through with something that simple then he's not up to the task.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

New fav player

It's like getting trash talked by Luc Longley. It does sting.