Ireland vs France - 20/08/2011 - RWC Warm Up

[munstermuffin]

Sheridan

Lets just say Sheridan looked like an All Black compared to Buckleys performance

 

[CJL]

Who was the better of the two scrum haves? Did Keatley play at 12 for the whole game or did him and Wallace swap at any stage?

 

[munstermuffin]

They swapped at times but I think it was only just falling in to position but Murray in my opinion was the much better 9 and strange thing was Kidney unleashed him after only 5 mins of 2nd half

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Well this certainly fills me with confidence for the season(s) ahead :lol:

 

[munstermuffin]

Well this certainly fills me with confidence for the season(s) ahead :lol:

It's ok something special is happening at Sale

 

[CJL]

I'd say the idea behind him coming on after 45min or whatever was to give both of them both an equal chance to show what they can do....Here's hoping Murray gets the nod.

 

[munstermuffin]

I'd say the idea behind him coming on after 45min or whatever was to give both of them both an equal chance to show what they can do....Here's hoping Murray gets the nod.

I don't know but 1 thing is for sure - I don't think Boss looked to happy as he can't do anymore now and well their faith is decided.

 

[monkeypigeon]

How was Cronin's throwing? Did Ryan get about more than he did in the last couple of matches?

Thinking about it, Boss has only had 45 minutes, where as Murray has had 3 appearances off the bench. His passing is both accurate and quick with a strong defensive game....any chance he's being considered as the Stringeresque tempo changer for the World Cup? - just a thought.

 

[CJL]

How was Cronin's throwing? Did Ryan get about more than he did in the last couple of matches?

Thinking about it, Boss has only had 45 minutes, where as Murray has had 3 appearances off the bench. His passing is both accurate and quick with a strong defensive game....any chance he's being considered as the Stringeresque tempo changer for the World Cup? - just a thought.

Didn't Boss come on against Scotland for 20min?...unlucky for him if he did because any ball Ireland had was in the loose...they certainly didnt build any phases.

 

[munstermuffin]

Cronin's throwing was ok but well realistic view is there wasn't pressure like there would be in an International or argubally even a Rabo12 game.
Ryan was good and well he has been good in my eyes in all his performances so far, nothing spectacular but is doing ok.

As I said already Murray should be 1st choice 9.
He is an all round 9 - Can pass like Stringer and when he came on the tempo had risen rapid. Is a physical guy and is counted in defense and well makes a break from side too so he keeps opposition guessing.

Simple question is now had Irish Management got the balls to make these calls and reward form.
I'd even bring Geordan Murphy, Felix Jones and Rob Kearney and leave Luke Fitz at home. All 3 mentioned are fullbacks but all 3 can play on wing and well Geordan looked sharp tonight and Felix has been superb so far and I know he will put in another good show on Saturday. We have to reward these youngsters for their form and it would shoot an energetic buzz into the squad and the likes of BOD and POC etc will even benefit from the freshness.

 

[coonor]

I have heard that McFadden was very impressive and it even sounds like Wallace did a good job of controlling the backs. Murphy has clearly hit the ground running coming back from injury. Lots of players putting their hands up for selection however we must remember to put this game into context and judge players on the consistency in form and what they can add to the squad.

 

[munstermuffin]

I have heard that McFadden was very impressive and it even sounds like Wallace did a good job of controlling the backs. Murphy has clearly hit the ground running coming back from injury. Lots of players putting their hands up for selection however we must remember to put this game into context and judge players on the consistency in form and what they can add to the squad.

Add in big difference between a World Cup game and a mickey mouse Connacht team.

 

[coonor]

Add in big difference between a World Cup game and a mickey mouse Connacht team.

exactly especially when you consider our scrum still couldn't gain the upper hand. Anyway good to see our backs playing some creative rugby and getting a few tries.

 

[Leinster+]

Just back from match and well only went as Munster had few but it was a good exercise as ginger said but Connacht were poor.I feel for some guys who played well as I feel the team is already wrapped up. Ginger would you agree after seeing Murray perform superb again tonight that it awful he won't travel. Call me crazy but he is the best 9 in Ireland at the moment and that is a fact. I respect TOL but lads after tonight I am confused because Munster's first choice 9 played tonight our 2nd choice 9 will play tomorrow and our 3rd choice will play against France and start the World Cup.McFadden is another I feel is being shafted but it'll be Leinster's gain.As was mentioned already Keatley was very good and well I was in France last Friday night and he impressed and again tonight he was superb and well I'm not saying bring him to World Cup or anything just simply if Ireland are looking for a 10/12 then this guy is a much better option than Wallace.Spoke to David Wallace too tonight and from the horse's mouth himself he said he'll be confident he will make the game but at this stage Kidney isn't up for taking risks and may give Jennings his chance.Can I just add in after tonight I think Donnacha Ryan has sealed his spot unless McCarthy is Man of the Match on Saturday which is unlikely and I would bring John Hayes ahead of Buckley as his lifting power and experience does alot more benefit than Buckley's cameo in loose.

Bias as hell. In what world is TOL our 2nd best scrum half??? Yes he is our 1st choice scrum half because DK never heard of Leinster, but still to call him our 2nd best scrum half is disgraceful. He should be our 5th. Have you seen any of Leinster's games this season???? Reddan and Boss have been outstanding. They have great passing and have excellent communication with our pack. DK says TOL is a physical scrum half but why do we need him when we have Boss??? Boss is physical, developed a great pass, spots gaps to offload to the backrow, can tackle te list goes on. We need Boss on the bench and he must start against Italy. Knowing DK he will ignore Boss. Murray is a jaw dropping talent. He should be on the reserves for us because of little experience but still what a fantastic player. Will definetely be a Lion come 2013. I agree Keatley had a good game today but he was picked to make up the numbers. What about Downey????? He deserves to be an international test player but since he's not playing in Ireland he's being ignored like Bob Casey was and now Sykes is back, Bowe is an exception since he was playing at Ulster for a while. Jenno deserves to start for Ireland if we want a fast expansive game. Look at the HC final. When he wad introduced, the game was sped up dramatically due to the quick ball from the ruck and we actually got te ball to Seány. But no DK ignores him and another talent is wasted. Hopefully he'll get some game time against France. What makes him better than Wally is that he has an offloading game. Wally is used as a battering ram, but he is getting old and is becoming increasingly worse.Why should Ryan be on the plane?????? He is pure ****. The same with Leamy and Ronan who are being played instead of McLAUGHLIN and Jenno. McLaughlin should be on our bench as he is a utility forward, a great line out option, can disrupt the line out and in time can become a world class player if he gets the time he needs. Obviously that wont happen since DK is stuck in a little bubble of narrow mindedness. If it were up to me, the she team would be Leinster with O'Connell and Trimble. If we have the majority f the team as Leinster, we can play a fast, deadly offlading game like the devastating attacks that Leinster did last season.

 

[Aout]

Looking forward to watch Poux playing tomorrow (prop). He had a stunning performance last saturday, he completely destroyed his opposite prop in scrummaging. I knew he was a good Top 14 prop, but he proved he can played at test level.

 

[Logorrhea]

Looking forward to watch Poux playing tomorrow (prop). He had a stunning performance last saturday, he completely destroyed his opposite prop in scrummaging. I knew he was a good Top 14 prop, but he proved he can played at test level.

He looks solid alright but if we are being fair it was more a Tony Buckley collapse, rather then Poux being awesome. Buckley was being pinged at loosehead when the pressure came on. Ross was struggling but managing.

However when Buckley went to tight head it was one of the more terrifying things Ive seen in a while. Total and utter destruction.

 

[big ginger 8]

Would agree with Munsermuffin Murray deserves to go as our first choice 9. Has the best defence, 2nd best pass and posseses one of the best box kicks I've ever seen. Which when you have people like Kearney and Bowe is a real advantage.

Cronin's throwing was good but as was said not a lot of competition.

Scrum was awful.

Also Aout as Logs said while Poux is a very good scrummager was up against um Tony Buckley. Funny in the warm up though while hitting the bags he smashed one of the coaches of his feet.

 

[Conal]

where has toner dissapeared to??

looking forward to ths game now backine looks good and its still missing a few guys!!!

but the french the strength in depth is just plain scary

 

[munstermuffin]

where has toner dissapeared to??

looking forward to ths game now backine looks good and its still missing a few guys!!!

but the french the strength in depth is just plain scary

Was always said Toner was a flash in the pan - He will never be more than a ML player in my opinion unless he bulks up alot.

I agree too about Murray's box kick and well it has superb hangtime too.
Interesting to see some people commenting how McLaughlin was so bad that he played his way out of the fight, well while I think he was never likely to go and was very poor last night I still think it bit harsh as I think he must've been slightly deflated.

 

[Conal]

Was always said Toner was a flash in the pan - He will never be more than a ML player in my opinion unless he bulks up alot.

I agree too about Murray's box kick and well it has superb hangtime too.
Interesting to see some people commenting how McLaughlin was so bad that he played his way out of the fight, well while I think he was never likely to go and was very poor last night I still think it bit harsh as I think he must've been slightly deflated.

i rated mclaughlin aswell shame however i think he is excess to requiremnts we have 6's and second rows.
if only muarry had surfaced last season as i think kidney is holding experince against him

its the only reason i can see kidney picking tol over him and possibly reddan