Ireland vs France - 09/03/2013

[munstermuffin]

No BG8 but we have no direction like if someone told us Christmas was in April IRFU would nearly put up a Christmas tree without thinking.

 

[big ginger 8]

No BG8 but we have no direction like if someone told us Christmas was in April IRFU would nearly put up a Christmas tree without thinking.

I'm not saying the I.R.F.U. are faultless are anything near close just that not everything has to be centered around the world cup and not everything can be.

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree but have to have some structure which we never do

 

[Amiga500]

A lot of that could be answered with because not everyone considers the WC to be the be all and end all of rugby.

It is true, but it provides clear stability and structure. Everyone knows where we all stand, so that pointless meeja debates are avoided and the national team aren't left with nothing to fall back on, a la Munster 2012.

Which is something we are woefully missing at present.

Also it's impossible to sync player contracts at least to a world cup.

Difficult, yes, impossible no.

The contracts don't need to run the full 4 years - but they should all be up for renewal immediately post world cup. Again, clarity and structure. It means a clear map of where the national side and provinces are going can be established and the scenario where a 35 year old O'Gara, playing no rugby and offering no prospects for the future, was the highest paid Irish player (I think) can be avoided.

 

[coonor]

How is it not Kidney's fault? Ronan O'Gara met have got a good 5-10 caps since the World Cup so why would he retire? Had O'Gara been told to retire internationally after the World Cup he would have had a couple seasons with Munster the decline in his form wouldn't have been noticed on as large a scale and everything would be better. Kidney continued to play O'Gara who is a competitor in every sense of the word and probably still thinks he's a better player than Sexton and wants to play for Ireland, O'Gara will never think he's not good enough for Ireland because he's a winner and always has been so to say that O'Gara has handled this situation badly and not Kidney is ridiculous.

Coaches shouldn't be in positions to simply tell players to retire. ROG made the decision himself to continue and Kidney simply considered him as an option. ROG must understand his form and future more so than anyone else. Your completed misguided to suggest Kidney should be going round telling people to retire. If a player is still playing, and willing to play internationally then he should be considered for the role. Yes, Kidney made poor decisions in selecting him and in the short term, Kidney has struggled to handle the situation but the dropping of ROG the selection of Madigan and Jackson should be praised.... This isn't the O'Gara show!

 

[Amiga500]

Aye, here, someone riddle me this.

Alan Quinlan and MyClient Sheehan (Capodecina*) were going on about this being a "must win" game on Sat... angling hard for the inclusion of the Uomini D'onore* (thats O'Gara in the CorkCon Mafia).


How in the name of sweet f&&k is this a "must win" game?!? The 6N are gone. Our pride is currently lying somewhere outside Edinburgh airport, hoping Michael O'Leary takes pity on it and allows it on a Ryanair flight back to Dublin free of charge (i.e., its f&&ked).

The next two games can be wasted chasing... I dunno, chasing something beyond my comprehension... or spent building for the future.



*Read - http://whiffofcordite.com/2013/03/04/kidney-axes-rog/#comments [specifically about a 1/3rd the way down - made me laugh anyway!]

 

[munstermuffin]

Aye, here, someone riddle me this.

Alan Quinlan and MyClient Sheehan (Capodecina*) were going on about this being a "must win" game on Sat... angling hard for the inclusion of the Uomini D'onore* (thats O'Gara in the CorkCon Mafia).


How in the name of sweet f&&k is this a "must win" game?!? The 6N are gone. Our pride is currently lying somewhere outside Edinburgh airport, hoping Michael O'Leary takes pity on it and allows it on a Ryanair flight back to Dublin free of charge (i.e., its f&&ked).

The next two games can be wasted chasing... I dunno, chasing something beyond my comprehension... or spent building for the future.



*Read - http://whiffofcordite.com/2013/03/04/kidney-axes-rog/#comments [specifically about a 1/3rd the way down - made me laugh anyway!]

Alot of financial areas that have to do with winning at least 1 home game this season and 2 when there 3 at home in 6 Nations. Haven't seen fine print but the deal I think is in place since 08 and there a similar thing with Munster and Leinster with regard needing to win at least 2 pool games per year for some funding issues. Will try get a clearer explanation but also it is a huge game because if we loose the remainding games (especially French one) it badly weakens Irish Rugby as a brand at a time when renegotiations and the finding of new kit sponsors etc are up for tender. Remember this is a business too and the Aviva has been a failure for atmosphere and ticket sales and provinces are taking huge enough hits too so if it gets any worst there will be alot more following Sexton and not alot of quality coming if wages are terrible.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Coaches shouldn't be in positions to simply tell players to retire. ROG made the decision himself to continue and Kidney simply considered him as an option. ROG must understand his form and future more so than anyone else. Your completed misguided to suggest Kidney should be going round telling people to retire. If a player is still playing, and willing to play internationally then he should be considered for the role. Yes, Kidney made poor decisions in selecting him and in the short term, Kidney has struggled to handle the situation but the dropping of ROG the selection of Madigan and Jackson should be praised.... This isn't the O'Gara show!

I agree with what you're saying in theory but a competitive professional player is never going to believe he is past it unless he is told so. Had Kidney said after the RWC that O'Gara isn't in his plans anymore than he could announce his International retirement but why would he? He had just won the 10 shirt back off Sexton and was Ireland's no.1 again would you retire in this situation? This can't be blamed on O'Gara he was given the opportunities and took them, there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[munstermuffin]

I agree with what you're saying in theory but a competitive professional player is never going to believe he is past it unless he is told so. Had Kidney said after the RWC that O'Gara isn't in his plans anymore than he could announce his International retirement but why would he? He had just won the 10 shirt back off Sexton and was Ireland's no.1 again would you retire in this situation? This can't be blamed on O'Gara he was given the opportunities and took them, there's nothing wrong with that.

Also on a central contract I'd pose question if you were ROG - Would you sacrifice in the region of €300k plus per year after loosin a few quid on a construction investment?
I know I wouldn't and even if ROG hadn't the money side of it, ask any top competitor they do believe in themselves that they won't throw in towel and settle for a silly "easing in to retirement" replacement role on a provincal side. ROG BOD and all these guys, when they depart they want to depart on as high a scene as possible.

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

In fairness to Archer this season he has done well and let's not forget he took apart Court recently. In not saying he's ready for cap (or deserving) but I'd certainly have him on form ahead of Bent. Archer is still young and has showed great signs of improvement over past year and his scrummaging has improved hugely. I think if Munster were to be brave he would improve a lot more if tested in HEC games but as I say that could be risky. A mixture of bit of decline in Botha and improvement in Archer has closed gap between them. But he isn't good enough for international rugby but certainly ahead of Bent who seems to be Big Peter Borlaise (version 2)

And Duck is disagree as Hagan has gone so far back since going to Leinster again that there no way anyone can judge him. He took a gamble going to Leinster and in a way his career has taken a major turn for worst. Yea he gets odd game but is never going to reach his potential now because Leinster have nice schools players coming up and there is 1/2 THPs there that will really come up trumps

Wait, when did he "take Court apart"?

 

[munstermuffin]

In Thomond Park over festive period. Have it on video if you want copy both came on as replacements. Archer drove him back on few occasions while Court also penalised for 3 scrummaging penalties.

 

[lucky number 7]

How long left on the Kidney clock

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

You aren't really suggesting Archer is a better scrummager than Court who absolutely mauled Northampton, who are regarded as one of the best scrummaging teams in the NH?
Also compare the rest of the pack in that game, Ulster had a seriously weakened team where as Munster put out a very strong team. One prop doesn't make the whole scrum.

 

[lynam1104]

How long left on the Kidney clock

http://kidneyclock.net/

 

[lucky number 7]

Soon



Soon.


We will be rid of this parasite

 

[munstermuffin]

You aren't really suggesting Archer is a better scrummager than Court who absolutely mauled Northampton, who are regarded as one of the best scrummaging teams in the NH?
Also compare the rest of the pack in that game, Ulster had a seriously weakened team where as Munster put out a very strong team. One prop doesn't make the whole scrum.

No I not suggesting Archer better than Court in general although I'd rate him as a better THP. Also it doesn't matter what team is out for giving away 3 scrum pens. Also Munster destroyed Saints in Rd 6 of HEC last season. That doesn't mean anything as Saints can have off day. My point is Archer isn't as bad as people are suggesting but I accept he's not ready for international but Court has been destroyed so much at THP he's worst than Buckley in my book and should be left as a LHP exclusively. And I would seriously say Archer a better scrummager than Court in THP jersey but not when Court is LHP.

 

[Peat]

This conversation is sad and funny in equal measure, reminding me just how potentially sensible Paddy Mac's switch to tighthead would be, and just how much Kieran Brookes hates caps.

 

[ZeFrenchy]

French team announced:
Domingo, Kayser, Mas
Maestri, Samson
Nyanga, Picamoles, Dusautoir
Parra, Michalak
Médard, Fritz, Fofana, Clerc
Huget

Big surprise at 10

 

[Amiga500]

Alot of financial areas that have to do with winning at least 1 home game this season and 2 when there 3 at home in 6 Nations. Haven't seen fine print but the deal I think is in place since 08 and there a similar thing with Munster and Leinster with regard needing to win at least 2 pool games per year for some funding issues. Will try get a clearer explanation but also it is a huge game because if we loose the remainding games (especially French one) it badly weakens Irish Rugby as a brand at a time when renegotiations and the finding of new kit sponsors etc are up for tender. Remember this is a business too and the Aviva has been a failure for atmosphere and ticket sales and provinces are taking huge enough hits too so if it gets any worst there will be alot more following Sexton and not alot of quality coming if wages are terrible.

Ah, OK. Fair enough.

 

[Amiga500]

French team announced:
Domingo, Kayser, Mas
Maestri, Samson
Nyanga, Picamoles, Dusautoir
Parra, Michalak
Médard, Fritz, Fofana, Clerc
Huget

Big surprise at 10

Oh.
My.
God.


What is PSA thinking!?!?