Ireland v Samoa

[Feicarsinn]

John hayes!!??!?!?!?!?! John ******* hayes!!!????? **** you deccie!!!!!! Arggghhghhg jese christ why did you possibly think that would be a good move. Cock off. I mean really, why? Damn it all to hell!!!!!

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Yeah I really think it's about time Dec packed it in on the Hayes thing. It seems like he's just trying to spare his feelings at this stage... In reality what use is it playing him anymore? I mean really

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Stringer's got good delivery, but he's no runner. And after him - plenty of runners, but inconsistent delivery. O'Leary's the only one anything near special. And pre-Stringer? I only ever really thought of this because Irish rugby fans I know pointed it out to me, but the quality of Irish scrum-halves has rarely been all that. And its certainly not at the moment. There's some good ML players floating around, but good internationals? Snoopy was on the mark with decidedly average.

and I'll return the favour and agree with everything you say here. I believe Ireland last had a scrum half tour with the Lions in 1980 (Colin Patterson). Our inability to produce 9s isn't a recent phenomenon.

Durbutter, Stringer and O'Leary work well as a combination for Munster but neither are on the level of a Will Genia, Byron Kelleher, Morgan Parra, Fourie Du Preez or Ruan Pienaar. Stringer has had an excellent career but he's never been world class. Likewise Reddan and Boss work well for Leinster but they lack something at the highest level.

I'd love to see Murray or Williams show some form and grab the Munster (and subsequently Ireland) 9 shirt but at the moment all they've shown is potential. Personally, I don't see what Murray offers but I do like the look of Williams however Williams is 24 and would want to make his move soon. Ian Porter of Ulster has talent and beyond those there are 2 or 3 guys aged 18-19 in Leinster and Ulster who could develop if they get proper coaching (Peter Du Toit, Luke McGrath, Conor Spence).

Frank Murphy had a strong start to the season but he's faded a bit. He's in his late 20s so perhaps his time has passed.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just saying I've a feeling Williams will be a Lion one day if he continues to develop and I think he has great variety and a nice pass but well the injury he had last year did slow his development.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Williams is third choice scrum half with Munster. He's only 2 or 3 years younger than O'Leary so taking his place will be hard, especially as the Ireland international is reaching his peak around now. He's not as good as Peter Stringer yet. Also, he's older than England internationals Youngs and Care along with Knoyle of the Scarlets yet he's shown nowhere near as much potential as any of those. Saying Williams will be a Lion is hyperbole on a par with saying Jeremy Manning could be as good as Dan Carter. Let Williams establish himself with Munster before making bold predictions about him touring with the Lions in 2013 or 2017. He'll potentially be a very good player but there's no point heaping undue hype on a guy when he hasn't yet delivered in his 6 or so years since leaving school.

 

[munstermuffin]

Snoop I agree with you but I'm saying that in terms of when Williams was in schools he was this absolutely amazing talent and wasn't far of been ahead of TOL. If injury hadn't been cruel to him.
Also Murray will be a good scrum-half and well may be 1 of a small majority that make it from academy.

 

[durbutter]

a small majority

hmmmmmmmmm

 

[munstermuffin]

Trust me Darbutter I see it everyday our academy isn't anything like the others and I worry in 2/3 years that we will possibly struggle to find the youth needed.
Also, it pains me to say this as I from Limerick region but the talent is all in Cork which is bad because we need it spread and well there is a big meeting in January planned between everyone involved in Munster coaching staff and we are hoping to devise a plan to restructure and get academy scouting back on track because if you leave a player slip through then it is very hard for them to catch up so quickly because the strength and conditioning is massive these days and dedication is vital

 

[DuncTheDoodle]

I reckon we could see a victory for Samoa, here. I'd quite like that, even if it will make Lord Tommy unhappy.

 

[Muzzy]

I'm sure Paul Williams will be kicking as he's the only established goal-kicker in the starting XV (as far as I'm aware) - Gavin Williams is often the main goal-kicker for Samoa, but Paul has taken his spot...


I agree entirely with this assessment - the Samoan team is full of quality individuals, however the majority of them have played very little rugby together. If they could keep their team together for 6-7 games it could evolve into a very dangerous team, but at this stage they may be relying on the individual brilliance of the players involved rather than team play. It is hard to read how this game will go - it wouldn't surprise me is Samoa pulled off the upset, however I'm going to predict Ireland will win by 15 points.

the Samoan forward pack is almost exactly the same pack that played the whole PNC earlier this year, only difference is 1 new prop so they've had good game time together, only thing i'd be worried about is Lavea who's never played for Samoa before. even though it was Samoa's second string side that played Connact earlier this week they looked very unorganized and that could still be the same for this team too, so tbh i think Ireland will win by 5-10 points, but if Samoa score a try or more early then they can win

 

[Conal]

tickets and supporter numbers hopefully sorted out by the 6nations

and a easy three points

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Empty house again in Ireland?

 

[Conal]

better than last week i think but still dosnt look full

toners line outs looking good

 

[King_D'Arcy]

This is ****


EDIT: Heaslip try


Still **** though

 

[King_D'Arcy]

embarrassing

 

[Conal]

better than last week though

or is it cause darcy isnt playing?

 

[King_D'Arcy]

For fucks sake

 

[monkeypigeon]

Who's the Ref? He's a tad whistle happy...

 

[King_D'Arcy]

I mean this is why we should never play John Hayes. And Court is crap. Just don't go down in the bloody scrum, you silly ********! UGH!

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

Hayes is an embarrassment at international level.