Ireland v New Zealand

[TRF_Olyy]

5. Micko/Toner (Both did well)
18. Toner/Micko or maybe Nagle

I'd had have Toner start, Cullen bench (if Kidney didn't think he was fit enough three weeks ago, surely he's fit enough for a bench spot now?)
Nothing against MickO, he had a good game tonight, but I prefer Cullent, and Toner should get as much game time as possible, as he looks very promising and it'd be good to have him properly blooded in by WC

 

[munstermuffin]

I'd have Cullen starting but I just seem to believe he isn't in plans because for me he was fit but well I don't see how he is fit for Leinster but not Ireland.

 

[Shaggy]

Really enjoyed the game ... Ireland's defense was great for most of the game ... It really showed by how the likes of Gear,Jane, and the midfield were contained ... BOD's try was pure class, and anyone who says he past it is dreaming IMO

... For the AB's I thought Boric, Whitelock, Read, Kaino, and DC stood out.

... The first Irish try was the result of running some great lines, and even though the pass was a little forward, it was well worked, and stuff like that's going to happen in a game, so teams need to put themselves into positions where incorrect calls aren't going to determined the result of the games.

... I thought Mr Jonker's use of the advantage rule was a little short for both teams, and effected some of the plays when the advantage was abruptly/un-expectantly terminated

... I agree with what others have said ... Ireland played a lot better than the final score reflected.

 

[dullonien]

Ireland put up a good fight tonight. Great defense throughout the game, especially impressed with Sexton in that aspect of the game, not that he puts in big tackles, but because he's a little like Carter, just always defends his channell well. Still some big questions asked about Irelands set piece game. The first 3-4 scrums should have all resulted in a penalty to NZ, with Court popping up every time. Irelands scrum did settle a little, but then the lineout started to stutter. Cronin was great in every other aspect of his game, but the lineout did suffer after he came on.

In patches, NZ were scarily good though. The 15min patch startign just before half time was unbelievable rugby, nothing atall fancy, just good phase play with every runner makign ground and Carter simply swafting around the place controlling everything. Read had a big, big game aswell, as did Whitelock when he came on. New Zealand didn't look impeccable though, with their defense not quite as good as it normally is against us NH teams. If Ireland had a solid platform and could have recycled ball quicker, this game would have been very close.

Good game.

 

[coonor]

I think Ireland played well today. At times we kept the ball well and we looked very threatning with ball in hand. The scrum was actually improved and I think it will get better if Kidney selects our best props. The lineout was below par and Cronin didn't throw well but I think his throwing is improving and O'Connel will solidify the lineout when he returns. That performance would have beaten most other teams but New Zealand played their best game since the first Tri Nations match against SA.

Positives:

-Once we had finished kicking all our posession away Irelands backs looked really threatning.
-We competed well at the breakdown
-We matched the intensity of the All Blacks for most of the games
-Defence was very good for 70 mins
-We played with spirit and put in alot of effort
-The Aviva looked great and atmosphere was brilliant
-Not as many Knocks-Ons as the past games

Negatives:
-Restarts improved as the match went on but they have to much better
-Scrum was ok but could be better
-Lineout wasn't as good as it was against Samoa but still better than how it was against SA
-We needed to be a little more patient at times and some descions we made were Wrong

We can build on this and hopefully we have seen that keeping possession is the way forward for Ireland.

 

[cardassian]

We can build on this and hopefully we have seen that keeping possession is the way forward for Ireland.

Definately a lot of positives for Ireland to build on.

Hopefully they do and move forward throughout the 6 nations forming into a formidable team come the rwc

 

[shtove]

Very unhappy with David Wallace, especially that turnover on 35 mins when he had a few guys outside him, which led to the ABs first try. Lack of confidence.

Amazed BOD was still on the pitch at the end. He had to put in a shitload of tackles and I think he got injured after 15 minutes. Fitzgerald came off his wing twice in defence and left a clear run to the line - No, don't do that.

Lots of mistakes from McCaw, and I reckon the AB midfield defence is vulnerable when the enemy moves quickly. Nonu should be more of an enforcer. But overall they are just about the best, and no doubt they'll be even more intense at home.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Very unhappy with David Wallace

Stick a fork in him, he's done. He can do a job for 30 minutes off the bench but he's no longer capable of playing a high intensity 80 minutes of international rugby.

 

[coonor]

Wallace was poor and he must go as other players deserve his spot. He made to many knock-ons in positions where we could have scored and his decision making was poor. I don't whether I'd prefer O'brien or Leamy to take his place. I think that the result does not reflect the game but thats the way it is and New Zealand always take advantage of their oppositions defence.

 

[munstermuffin]

Leamy I think would be better option for now as he is in form and O Brien just needs bit more time.
Earls has to be a starter now and we have to quit the crap now and Kidney has to reward form players

 

[Shaggy]

just heard, All Black lock Tom Donnelly is out for the rest of the tour with Knee ligament damage, and that a replacement is not being sort (Source:- NZ Radio sport) ... I guess that means all three of the remaining locks will be involved in the match against Wales

 

[smartcooky]

The 20 point margin didn't really reflect the way the game went. I thought Ireland looked closer than that on the field.

I found it difficult to believe that they only scored 5 points in the second half

 

[King_D'Arcy]

The best game of the Autumn series. Both teams played seriously good, high intensity rugby. I would say a 7 - 10 point margin in favour of the ABs would've been more reflective of the whole match. They really showed what they're capable of though when given small opportunities. The whole teams awareness and ability to execute inch perfect offloads is unbelievable. Dan Carter is a God. I have nothing but respect for the man. The same has to be said about Brian O'Driscoll though. That try was inspired! The man was made to play rugby. Conrad Smith said it himself during the week; anyone who thinks BOD is past it is kidding themselves. Ireland probably could've beaten any other team in the world the way they played today. Consistency is the number one agenda from here to the world cup.
Pretty disappointed about the result but possibly one of the best test matches of the year. I envy the neutrals.

 

[lynam1104]

My rating of the Irish players:
15. Rob Kearny 5/10- He didn't play as bad as against SA but still needs to be dropped.
14. Tommy Bowe 6/10- Noting spectacular but picked a few good lines and almost got away on a few occasions.
13. BOD 8/10 Best game for a long time he made so many tackles and his try was genius.
12. Gordan D'Arcy 6/10 has a better game made so good yards but that DG was stupid.
11. Luke Fitzgerald 6/10 again solid noting more should be moved to FB for next week.
10. Johnny Sexton 8/ Kicked well made good decisions and got the back line moving.
9. Eion Redden 5/10 better game then agist SA still needs to be dropped for stinger
8. Jamie Heslip 8/10 Made a few silly decisions but overall played well.
7. Daivd Wallace 4/10 Poor did noting but lose ball and give the b all away
6. Stephen Ferris 9/10 Had a great game IMO competed a t every breakdown and made so many tales.
5. MOD 5/10 Was alright noting good noting bad.
4. DOC 5/10 See above
3. Tom court 6/10 Added stability to the scrum and did a bit in the lose noting more needed
2. Sean Cronin (as he played most of the game) 6/10 Good in loses needs work on trowing.
1. Cain Healy 6/10 Was aliirht good in the lose.

Subs
John Hayes 0/10 Get the **** off the team missed a tackle leading directly to to the lat try.
Devin Toner 6/10 Was good needs to bulk up a bit IMO.
Leamy 7/10 Anything could have been better then Wallace.
Stinger 8/10 he gave Sexton good ball and quick ball good game has to start next week.
ROG NA ddin't play enough to make an impact
22 Earls looked out of it he was expecting to be playing you could tell.
good game hopfullt Ireland will just get better.

 

[nickdnz]

For New Zealand

1. Tony Woodcock - 7/19 - He's still not back to the form he was in a few years ago, but his scrummaging was good and gt the best of the Irish. He had a good work rate, but didn't hit the line quite as effectivly as he should have.
2. Hika Elliot - 7.5/10 - He started to show a few area of his running game and he didn't make any big mistakes. Solid second game.
3. Owen Franks - 8 - He's just a beast. Scrummaged the crap out of the Irish, and had a big work rate.
4. Tom Donnelly - 6 - Had a leg injury earlier on, didn't really get to show what he can do. May be his last game on tour due to the injury.
5. Anthony Boric - 8 - Fir his standards it was his best game in the All Blacks. Still doesn't warrent a regular spot in the team in my opinion, but he had a good game.
6. Jerome Kaino - 7.5 - Strong carrying and good defence. Plenty of work at the breakdown. Still doesn't have the brick wall defence of Jerry Collins, but he combines very well with the other forwards and usually makes the tackle. His speed was fantastic and very underated, in catching Heaslip down the field.
7. Richie McCaw - 7 - By his standards, it wasn't his best game. Did his job, but for a 93rd testcap, I'd have hoped he'd have been more effective at the break down and carried the ball a little less.
8. Kieren Read - 8.5 - Right now, in my opinion the best #8 in the world. Huge work rate, very quick and he has an uncanny knack of catching the ball in the restarts. He's everything the All Blacks need going into the RWC, and I think he deserves New Zealand player of the year (and I didn't rate him at all in 2008-09).

9. Andy Ellis - 5 - He had a better game than last week, but he's still f*cking useless. Mathewson was much better. Ellis makes poor decisions constantly (kicking the ball, into a bunch of opposition players when you're in 5m with a penalty advantage. Pillock!). His delivery was slow and Carter did very well considering the terrible ball he got from Ellis. People who think he had a good game are kidding themselves.
10. Daniel Carter - 8.5 - Made the right decision 95% of the time. Good running game, picked the right players to pass to and his field and goal kicking was fantastic. Sucks he has to wait another week before he becomes the highest test point scorer of all time.
11. Hosea Gear - 8 - Had a quieter game, but he made the right decision most of the time and was the most dangerous All Black back,
12. Ma'a Nonu - 7.5 - Had an alright game. Didn't make any amazing runs, but his defence on O'Driscoll was very good, and he made plenty of big hits. Nonu the beast didn't turn up, but neither did Nonu the error prone liability.
13. Conrad Smith - 7.5 - Very good on defence, but didn't see much of him on attack. He was good as always, but didn't have one of his better games.
14. Cory Jane - 7 - Didn't get to see what he is often capable of. Once again he didn't make many errors, but he didn't destroy in the way he often can.
15. Mils Muliaina - 7 - I don't know whether Henry has told him to or not, but some of his kicking is so pointless, it's just a direct kick down the middle of the field, for counter attacking. He didn't set up very much for the other backs either. He hasn't been the counter attacking machine we're used to. He had a few good runs himself, but overall I'd still have though either Jane or Dagg would have done better in his place.

16. Andrew Hore - 7.5 - Solid game. Scrummed well, and threw in alright, but nothing out of the ordinary for him.
17. John Afoa - 7.5 - Really improved his scrummaging, he's looking like a good player for the bench. Nice to see Tialata not getting in the 22.
18. Sam Whitelock - 8 - Another really solid game by him. Great of defence and around the park, with some nice runs as well. He should start from now on for the AB's.
19. Liam Messam - N/A -
20. Alby Mathewson - 8 - Provided good fast ball from the break down and made the right decisions every time. Didn't get much oppertunity to show his great running game, but was still much better than Ellis. Should be at least second choice halfback for AB's, or 3rd when Weepu is back.
21. Stephen Donald - 10 - Greatest performance by the Donaldmeister to date. Didn't miss a single kick, drop a single ball, make a single unforced error. For the rest of the series he should make the same kind of contribution from the bench, by not being sub'd on.
22. Sonny Bill Williams - 7 - Didn't make a mistake, but didn't have enough ball to show anyone anything.

 

[Gay-Guy]

Gotta love the Irish crowds....they are so courteous to kickers!

 

[Darwin]

A really enjoyable game, with both teams playing some good rugby. Ireland's defense in the first half was outstanding, though it was helped by the fact the the AB's attack was very lateral at times - they seemed intent on spreading the ball from side to side, but I feel that more direct running closer to the ruck would have been more effective. The AB's major attacking platform this year (and for a number of years) has been turnover ball, so strangely the fact that the AB's dominated possession meant their attacking potential was limited in a way. Ireland (generally) took good care of the ball on attack, which also limited the AB's counter attacking opportunities. The heavy defensive workload seemed to effect Ireland in the second half, but I was impressed with the way they played in the last 10-15 mins - I was expecting them to roll over and the AB's to score another couple of tries, but Ireland played some of their best rugby of the match in that period. Ireland did look really good at times with the ball in hand, stretching (and breaking) the AB's defense.

There were a number of standouts from Ireland. Heaslip and Ferris were the standout Irish forwards to me, both on attack and in defensive. Sadly it looks like Wallace is passed it (as has been alluded to numerous times already) - Ireland really need to ind a quality 7 to complement Heaslip and Ferris. D'Arcy looked solid at 12, and O'Driscoll showed he is still all class at 13, while I though Bowe looked dangerous in the few opportunities he got.

A number of players stood out in the AB's for me as well. I thought Boric was outstanding - it would have been toss up between him and Read for man of the match in my mind. He did all the basics well, and was very effective with the ball in hand (and was rewarded with a try). Likewise Sam Whitelock was outstanding at lock when he came on. Like Boric he is a very strong ball runner - I actually think he was contemplating doing a SBW flick pass in the build up to Read's second try.... I thought Read was outstanding again, though he seems to play at such a high level every game he plays now.

In the backs I though Ellis had a solid game. He still often takes two steps before he passes (like most NZ halfbacks), but he did at least look like he was keen for a dab around the base of the ruck, which prevented the defense from running up too fast. Carter was Carter, while Nonu was ok - he certainly has a fight on his hands if he wants to keep the 12 jersey though. Both wings were very impressive - it certainly looks like the best wing combo for the AB's at this stage (though a fit again Sivivatu may be able to push past Gear). Muliaina had a mixed game again - a few poor kicks, and he did take it into contact a couple of times when the pass may have been on (though he did make a great pass leading up to one of Read's tries), but he did run well, breaking the line a couple of times.

 

[Peat]

I appear to be one of the few people in the world who thinks that David Wallace actually had quite a good game doing the grunt work in the tight, knock-ons and that one silly decision aside. Big errors I know, but also involved in some good stuff.

edit: He did a good job doing the stuff Ferris usually does, to allow Ferris to roam free like a beast. The moment Ireland needed an open side though things liked different, so I'd like to qualify my praise.

I'm not certain what is more mystifying - what happend to the Rob Kearney who went to South Africa, or why his evil doppelganger hasn't been dropped yet.

 

[Jer Mac]

Must admit, I'm very disappointed with the result! 20 points was a kick in the nads but that's typical blacks!
On the Irish side: delighted with our game plan. Took the game to the blacks and IMO showed some decent invention behind the pack! In this regard sexton and bod, bowe even reddan were decent! The others were slack in attack!Bods try was a thing of beauty. So kudos to kidney. If we evolve even more on this we are going places. Also we were savage at the breakdown and in defense for most parts. You could see this game was beyond anything the Irish have faced recently and that taxed our energies! The blacks work rate and fitness/skills are on another planet.
Our pack is improving. Bring back poc, flannery, introduce Ross and varley and it will prosper even more! Healy has potential! In the backs earls has to start! While he shouldve grounded that oportunity, he still provided real threat and looked lethal once he came on. So result aside there are positives.

Negatives:
we are lightyears from the blacks at this point! Ye all come on here saying the blacks do the basics well! They do but it's the speed and intensity they do them at! When our lot try to move at that speed, it leads to unforced errors! Unforced errors and needless pens ie healy, doc are killing us! Two knock ons and twice our defenders (bod, doc) stepped out of the line allowed the ABs in! Cannot happen!we must limit errors!

Wallace I'm afraid is struggling! Knocked on 3 times and looked out on his feet! We need a new open side! Healy has potential but gives a minimum of 4 pens per game and can't scrum! Great engine and apetite and should be great but he's directly killing us! Kearney is flawed! Lost since the elvs days! Compare him to mild who constantly threatened to line break and create! He carries with one hand meaning the ball got ripped twice from him! And he rarely enters the line! A worry! Fitz isn't improving! That up and under in first half was ridiculous! He's all flash but nothing happening! Think he's a central player but he's too light! Full back for him and hope hel grow there! Biggest disappointment for me was him! To conclude, we are still 3 great forwards from being a competant pack with a decent set piece! 9,11,15 are not up to this standard and need serious looking at by kidney! Plus more dept, options at 12! But thumbs up for effort! With 12 months to Rwc, we are miles from being at a stage of taking scalps from the top 4-5!

As for the all blacks, running out like prophets of doom as once was said! The skills were sublime, the tries world class, the best 10 in the buisness, ye will take some beating if yer front lines stay fit! However henry will be delighted that ye are still (worryingly for the rest still not the finished article) against better opposition ye might stubble at the breakdown by not committing more numbers and it's only a matter of time before some ref bins mccaw. It wasn't until the Irish stepped outof line that ye broke in and line breaks were slack by ye from phase play which tells me the creativity is slack in midfield! Conrad smith for me was disappointing! Although ye scored 4 they were all from stretching the Irish out wide! Nothing penetrated the middle so the question for me. , is against the best defenses, will ye crack them?

Still light years over us though and along with aus and France, miles ahead in the race to be world champs!

 

[woodward]

Well what an impotent display from the Kiwi backs apart from Carter and to a lesser extent Gear and Jane. I appreciate what Mils can bring but as others have said I feel he is having a stifling effect on one of our biggest weapons, the counter-attack and that he does not inject the creativity that we have seen from Dagg to such spectacular effect this year or even the impact an improved and in form Toeava. Some of the blame for our lameness on attack should fall on Ellis's delivery and lack of running game although what is missing in my opinion is some good wrap arounds and runners coming off the first and second receivers etc. I don't see why these coaches are so lacking when it comes to backline moves. The Aussies leave us for dead in this area, and not just from set play. Smith showed again he can be beaten on the outside and Nonu was lacking on attack, maybe there was some sort of tactic to just hold onto the ball and plod away because it was very, very plodding. SBW was decent unfortunately he was often the nearest player in support so he committed to rucks more times than he touched the ball. One of his passes was phenomenal, Ellis could learn a thing or seven.

Carter was brilliant, we also now know his poor kicking form was because of the injury. Read and Boric were good, I like Boric he seems like a big game player.