June Internationals: Canada vs. Ireland (15/06/13)

[psychic duck]

Don't think we'll win, performance last week was poor and Canada are a good side. Also by the sounds of it this virus has really taken a lot out of the players.

I take it you haven't seen Canada's injury list then. All their best players are injured.

USA had about 3-4 players who would get into this Ireland XV. Canada have only perhaps 1 from their team, and maybe a couple others who are close perhaps to being near. It would take an incredible performance from Canada's depth to get a good result here with the injuries.

I know Canada have won all their games this year despite injuries, but look at the circumstances of each game.

vs USA - both teams missing all their top players, essentially a match showing who had better depth than who is better

vs Fiji - playing against a team who travelled from an international in Fiji 3 days before who had to travel to a totally different time zone and some of their top players couldn't get a visa to travel

vs Tonga - playing against a team who got red carded at 30 minutes, and was down to 12 men for a period with two extra yellow cards. And also played the last 10 minutes with 13 men after a player got injured and the replacements were all used

 

[big ginger 8]

I take it you haven't seen Canada's injury list then. All their best players are injured.

USA had about 3-4 players who would get into this Ireland XV. Canada have only perhaps 1 from their team, and maybe a couple others who are close perhaps to being near. It would take an incredible performance from Canada's depth to get a good result here with the injuries.

I know Canada have won all their games this year despite injuries, but look at the circumstances of each game.

vs USA - both teams missing all their top players, essentially a match showing who had better depth than who is better

vs Fiji - playing against a team who travelled from an international in Fiji 3 days before who had to travel to a totally different time zone and some of their top players couldn't get a visa to travel

vs Tonga - playing against a team who got red carded at 30 minutes, and was down to 12 men for a period with two extra yellow cards. And also played the last 10 minutes with 13 men after a player got injured and the replacements were all used

Of course I've seen the list it's been posted all over the place.

My main reason for thinking we'll lose is the illness. My friends uncle is Mick Kearney the team manager and while our players at their best are yes in the vast majority better some players may be around 60-80%.

If the players are in a better state than I think then yes I expect a decent win.

 

[LittleGuy]

I think that this is the best selections possible. I agree LG that I would prefer Sinclair at 6 but I think that both Moonlight and Ardron have acquitted themselves quite nicely so far and deserve the spots they have. Sinclair is all class and having him on the field is what is important. How is it that we see to be able to generate so many good loose forwards but seem to struggle to produce the same in our front row and locking stocks.

I've said before and repeat again, I think Hirayama is being judged to harshly for the collapse at the end of the Tonga match. The intercept was all on him but after that I'm not sure you can pin to much more there. I think his leadership was evident and his success on the sevens circuit has given him a confidence at this level that he never had before. I thought everything he did he did with confidence and that was reflected in the 33-10 score line. What went wrong after that was a team problem not an individual one. That's what you want in 10, quick decisive decisions, whether its kicking, passing or running. I'll accept the odd error if made with the intent of getting on the front foot and moving forward.

I expect a much better showing from Ireland this week than last and while I'm cheering my fool head off that we win I'm also realistic about our prospects especially considering the trainers room looked like the triage area from one of those old MASH TV shows and we were already missing a few of our best.

Biggest surprise for me is Paris back starting on the wing.

i just hope that it is entertaining and that the scoreline is close.

My guess is that Duke was one of the few doubtfuls that didn't recover in time for the game and that the staff didn't want to risk losing him for the 7's WC.

 

[IKALETAHI]

I take it you haven't seen Canada's injury list then. All their best players are injured.

USA had about 3-4 players who would get into this Ireland XV. Canada have only perhaps 1 from their team, and maybe a couple others who are close perhaps to being near. It would take an incredible performance from Canada's depth to get a good result here with the injuries.

I know Canada have won all their games this year despite injuries, but look at the circumstances of each game.

vs USA - both teams missing all their top players, essentially a match showing who had better depth than who is better

vs Fiji - playing against a team who travelled from an international in Fiji 3 days before who had to travel to a totally different time zone and some of their top players couldn't get a visa to travel

vs Tonga - playing against a team who got red carded at 30 minutes, and was down to 12 men for a period with two extra yellow cards. And also played the last 10 minutes with 13 men after a player got injured and the replacements were all used

Not Only did Tonga play men down they rested alot of potential Starting Players for this tournament Soane Tonga'uiha, Sona Taumalolo, Halani Aulika, Steve Mafi, Joe Tuineau, Sione Kalamafoni, Vili Ma'afu Alipate Fatafehi, Vunga Lilo, Suka Hufanga. They also ran out of Five Eights so just had Nili Latu run things.

Cant take away that Canada hasnt played with a full strength Squad either so they've done really well this year.

 

[Tribesmen-ce-123]

I dont like that Marmion isn't in the starting 23 again. He's in better form than either Boss or Marshall all season and after his run this season he deserves a cap.

 

[big ginger 8]

I dont like that Marmion isn't in the starting 23 again. He's in better form than either Boss or Marshall all season and after his run this season he deserves a cap.

Completely agree, he's also apparently untouched by illness as well. If they were always going to stick with Boss they could have at least stuck him on the bench.

 

[Tribesmen-ce-123]

Completely agree, he's also apparently untouched by illness as well. If they were always going to stick with Boss they could have at least stuck him on the bench.

Yeah, tbh kind of against picking Boss to start these types of games anyways, when you're playing teams like Canada and USA you can afford to be a bit more adventurous in your selections. Boss is a decent player no doubt, and has played well this season when given the chance, but he's 33 years old and not really a viable option internationally, plus he didnt play great against USA. The NA tour is a perfect opportunity to add some depth to the 9 position by giving Marmion at least a chance on the bench.

 

[LittleGuy]

Even more bad news for Canada as two more changes to the squad have been announced one is big and one is relatively minor but the injured list is building and the backline is looking like a leaky bucket. Matt Evans has been forced to withdraw after not being cleared from the concussion situation, Pritchard moves to #14 and Braid slips into the fullback position, this isn't the end of the world as Braid hasn't been too bad at FB and Pritchard is ever reliable, still Evans had played well and it's a loss that we can ill afford at this stage.

Less importantly Blevins has also had to pull out of the #22 shirt. The two new bench players are Liam Underwood and Pat Parfrey. The bench Canada has looks incredibly weak in the backs aside from Sean White, hopefully the backs can stay healthy and do close to a full 80.

This leaves Pritchard as the only first choice back from #11-15, and even then he rarely plays #14. This hasn't been mentioned yet but Pritchard has a chance to become Canada's all time points record leader this weekend he needs six to tie Gareth Rees and seven to assume the spot himself.

On a personal note these injuries just add a lot to my worries, the bench only has about three(maybe four) players I'm comfortable with, Hamilton, Dala and White and to a lesser degree Phelan are fairly capable, with Tieddemann not the end of the world, but Woodridge, Underwood and Parfrey won't be up the level of the Irish team at all. This may have to be the most forward oriented game Canada have played in years.

Edit: Players Canada is missing due to injury: Cudmore, Kleeberger(this has been long term), Mackenzie, Hassler, Van De Merwe, Trainor, Evans, Duke, Blevins. (Am I missing somebody LOL?)

 

[canadafan]

Tiedemann is pretty good at tighthead, it is when he comes on to play loosehead he sucks. Our backline really is a mess now, Ireland really have to play terribly for them to loose this match now. Phelan has really improved this season and hopefullyhe keeps going on the upwards. Underwood probably should have been on the bench to start with anyway. Sounds like the game is nearly sold out now.

 

[LittleGuy]

Tiedemann is pretty good at tighthead, it is when he comes on to play loosehead he sucks. Our backline really is a mess now, Ireland really have to play terribly for them to loose this match now. Phelan has really improved this season and hopefullyhe keeps going on the upwards. Underwood probably should have been on the bench to start with anyway. Sounds like the game is nearly sold out now.

It's getting increasingly difficult to see Canada winning for me as well, I guess my "keys to victory". Forwards will have to play out of their skins, and dominate possesion, Can't afford to lose any of our own feeds or lineouts, I don't mind the halfbacks but the backline isn't nearly as electric as it could be, I'd rather have the backs just plow ahead and recycle than make any silly mistakes.

Speaking of which we cannot make any of the huge mistakes that were made in prvious games this spring...no intercept passes flung out wide, not messing up easy tries, avoiding stupid penalties. Pritchard has to show why he's one of our best ever and have a perfect day from the tee, might be helped by Hearn bringing his long range kicking boots as well. Braid shouldn't be afraid to try and hit a droppie if the oppourtunity arises points will be crucial.

Edit: On an aside I expect our team in the Japan game next week to be even more absurdly patched together, with some of these guys likely to not have recovered and the short rest, we might be sending a joke side out there, and could have the weakest bench I've seen since 2008ish(or mayb the Belgium test from a few years ago where our pro's were left out of the side.)

 

[big ginger 8]

What on earth are they teaching them in Ulster and Munster...

http://balls.ie/news/simon-zebo-rapping/?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

 

[profitius]

Tiedemann is pretty good at tighthead, it is when he comes on to play loosehead he sucks. Our backline really is a mess now, Ireland really have to play terribly for them to loose this match now. Phelan has really improved this season and hopefullyhe keeps going on the upwards. Underwood probably should have been on the bench to start with anyway. Sounds like the game is nearly sold out now.

They did last week...

 

[profitius]

What on earth are they teaching them in Ulster and Munster...

http://balls.ie/news/simon-zebo-rapping/?utm_campaign=twitter&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter

Well Zebo wouldn't be your typical Munster man! Jackson on the other hand...

 

[LittleGuy]

The 20,000 mark of tickets sold has been passed as of this morning, there are still some tickets available for last minute buyers and walk up's I wouldn't be surpised if it does just get to the sellout mark.

Weather looks perfect for rugby, low 20's C(high teens towards end of game) with only a light wind of around 15 kmh, there is some rain expected overnight but not until around 1-2 a.m. so hopefully that dosen't move in much quicker than anticipated.

 

[Shaggy]

Good luck to Canada ... but I hope they still have some juice in the tank to play Japan ... The TRF International Shield is up for grabs!

 

[Canucks]

Good luck to Canada ... but I hope they still have some juice in the tank to play Japan ... The TRF International Shield is up for grabs!

I find it mind bogglingly that Japan somehow ended up with the shield.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

The 20,000 mark of tickets sold has been passed as of this morning, there are still some tickets available for last minute buyers and walk up's I wouldn't be surpised if it does just get to the sellout mark.

That's brilliant. Forgive my ignorance but is it an attendance record for a rugby match in Canada?

 

[psychic duck]

That's brilliant. Forgive my ignorance but is it an attendance record for a rugby match in Canada?

I believe it is, certainly at least in the professional era. USA also set their record for a match last week.

With Japan also getting over 20,000 for the matches with Wales. It seems that the founding 8 nations (old 5N + 3N) with history, tradition and pedigree behind them are much bigger ticket sellers with these sort of nations than say Italy, and massively more than say Tonga. Despite both those teams at full strength probably being stronger than weakened Ireland and Wales, neither can sell tickets like those nations even though they are weakened.

 

[poopiepeople]

are Parfrey and Underwood any good? missed all the games so far....

 

[CDN_Rugby]

are Parfrey and Underwood any good? missed all the games so far....

Underwood has looked pretty good but I'm not too sure what to make about Parfrey yet. The fact that both of them are even considered for the Ireland test shows how decimated our backline is when both of them probably wouldn't even make the bench if Hassler, Evans, Duke, DTH, Mackenzie, Trainor, Scholz, and Blevins were healthy.