Ireland v Samoa - 26 August 2023

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ashman, Schoeman, Nel, Skinner, Sebastian. It holds just fine, thanks.

Foreign-Born / Produced / Trained Players in 2023 Six Nations - Americas Rugby News

The 2023 Six Nations sees changes in player eligibility to that from prior years. World Rugby’s elig

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Roman Salanoa is absolutely a product of the Ireland system. Tom O'Toole graduated school in Ireland.

He should do more research.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Americasrugbynews . . . Research. If you stick to very narrow definitions and avoid context he's spot on but yeah he produces that article 3-4 times a year to **** people off.

Salanoa is cradle robbing however.

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

I still think structure and education is a far far bigger influence to be honest. Georgia have seen constant progression for 20 years and until very recently I doubt they've played as many tier 1 sides as Samoa, they've just had a strong focus on age grade teams, Italy's recent improvement in the quality of rugby has been the same.

Without strong age-grade systems I think the pacific islands sides have a ceiling not much higher than what we've seen from them in terms of how good they can be. I don't think it matters who they play their rugby against each year in this regard either.

This cycle is weird cause the 6N invited Fiji and Georgia to play during the pandemic. Both got a lot more exposure than usual. Samoa only got one tier 1 international since last RWC (plus Ireland this weekend) while the other two got 7 and 8 respectively (each have another one this weekend).

The biggest difference is number of games since last RWC. Fiji played 18, Samoa played. 15, and Georgia has played 36. Consistent competition. Rugby Europe has consistent tournaments for senior and age grade. It's why they have so much improvement.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Roman Salanoa is absolutely a product of the Ireland system. Tom O'Toole graduated school in Ireland.

He should do more research.

Salanoa looks to have only joined an Irish side aged 20 and qualified for residency aged 25. You are claiming that as Irish developed?

O'Toole appears to have only got an honourable mention, he is excluded from the list due to Irish birth (and possibly due to involvement in the Irish u18s).

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

You want me to run the list? Most of samoan starting pack is not samoan born. There is actually a more interesting point there of if samoa was funded to teh level of scotland would their retained native population that plays for other nations beat scotland? Since currently they have the players left over from NZ and aus taking their pick.

I dont think thats wide of the mark, you say scotland would be able to import stronger players, when most of scotlands tight 5 is native born and most of samoas is not. So the theory doesnt hold.

I came along because I found the discussion interesting and think it does disservice to the quality of scotlands native born core to talk about imports that dont even get a game if the team is at full strength outside a prop.

Are you arguing that at set piece Samoa would compete with Scotland, because I have seen no evidence of that in the past 30 years. The key point of difference between the PIs and Tier1 has consistently been their set piece which is obviously massively dictated by your tight five).

Now, if Samoa was rich like Japan and therefore with these eligibilty rules potentially got first pick on a large proportion all Kiwis and Aussies with a Samoan parent or grandparent, then my position may be different (although I have not been particularly impressed by an Aussie or even Kiwi tight five for a couple of years now). But as things stand, Samoa can only get imports who have been considered not good enough by possibly the worst Australian and NZ sides we have ever seen. That isn't something that should be giving optimism that Samoa are going to reach a level to compete up front with any Tier 1 side (except possibly Italy, but even that is a stretch).

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I could see Samoa getting within 10-14 of Wales. Which probably makes this about a 35 point game if both sides commit to the contest.

 

[Ballgame59]

Anyone know where I can watch this either live or replay in the US?

 

[pagliaccio_euforico]

Anyone know where I can watch this either live or replay in the US?

Florugby

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Salanoa looks to have only joined an Irish side aged 20 and qualified for residency aged 25. You are claiming that as Irish developed?

He was signed from college football, only played USA 20s after the move to Ireland was lined up. Absolutely developed by the IRFU.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Earls out, Stockdale in. Weird one for a guy who must know he's flying back to Belfast tomorrow.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Bad start turned into a good one quite quickly. Delighted for Jimmy.

I think our ability to score tries quite easily and from anywhere in the opposition half is the biggest improvement since Schmidt.

 

[big ginger 8]

Crowley showing a great variety of kicks.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Samoan players @ Mack Hansen in that scuffle

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Samoan players @ Mack Hansen in that scuffle
View attachment 17492

Mack's retort:

 

[big ginger 8]

Potentially very sad way for Healy's career to end.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

This is grim. Shocking weather, Barnes below his usual mediocre level, two sides that don't really look like they want to be there.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Samoas scrum looks strong

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

There's a prominent Munster fan on twitter (so whilst obviously a SA supporter, he is somewhat connected with Ireland) who is convinced Aki-Hemshaw is Ireland's best midfield. Moving out best centre to the be ch, our best 12 to 13 where he's worse and our only real red card risk onto the pitch is an interesting shout. This is by far one of his less idiotic takes. I think he's dumb asf.

Thanks for letting me vent.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

There's a prominent Munster fan on twitter (so whilst obviously a SA supporter, he is somewhat connected with Ireland) who is convinced Aki-Hemshaw is Ireland's best midfield. Moving out best centre to the be ch, our best 12 to 13 where he's worse and our only real red card risk onto the pitch is an interesting shout. This is by far one of his less idiotic takes. I think he's dumb asf.

Thanks for letting me vent.

Say it to his face

 

[big ginger 8]

Lineout is killing us.

That's very flukey though.