June Internationals: United States v Ireland (8/6/13)

[psychic duck]

SNK was primarily a fullback, and passable for the Blues there.
Bowen would be hard to judge. You never hear him brought up, but I think when you consider that Hercus was an international and Bowen not, it puts things in perspective.

SNK had a good tackle on Heaslip, about all I saw him do, in the Farce match.

Norton-****e was signed as a fly half. Hence he will judged as one. And he got dropped behind Sweeney and Flanagan.

Gareth Bowen is best known for once when the Scarlets were going for a 5 metre lineout, all that was needed was a simple tap into touch, but Bowen kicked it right into one of the Lamont brothers hands to run the 80 odd metres to score.

 

[Draggs]

Oh, yes, a terrible standoff for the Blues no doubt.
Not taking away from that, just remarking he did do better at fullback.

 

[big ginger 8]

Yes, apart from Hume not Ngwenya. Zebo is a smarter player than Zee, understands the game better and support play to get opportunities. Or there could be an argument for Ngwenya hence why I said possibly 5.

Thanks haven't really seen any of Hume but definitely one to look out for if you hink he's better than McFadden.

 

[Peat]

I like that, I want to see Marshall and O'Donnell off the bench and maybe a Jackson Madigan 10-12 axis.

I'd like to see that axis the other way around. Let Madigan focus on running the game for 80, let Jackson show he can cut loose a little in a green jersey. Think it might stand better to both.

Which players out of interest?

I'm guessing you're thinking Ngweya, Clever, Wyles and maybe Manoa...?

Anyone know who it was that was playing AIL and got called up this year.

The biggest 11 year old in world rugby is now very angry with that mean Mr Duck. Now there's a physical confrontation to relish...

 

[LittleGuy]

USA team, full strength apart from Paul Emerick. I'd back roughly 4 or possibly 5 of that are better than their Irish counterparts. But the coaches seem to be stupid enough to think they can win without a goal kicker. They need one desperately. This will lose them the game. Big test for the poor scrum, good opportunity for Doyle and Hume to prove themselves. USA are lucky, not as many injuries as Japan and Canada unfortunately have.

Meanwhile, off the pitch, this has been an unprecedented success for USA rugby. Sold out BBVA Compass Arena apparently in Houston, 22,000 crowd expected the highest ever for a match in the USA, breaking the 17,000 set against Italy last year. The USA did a good job marketing this game.

1. Shawn Pittman
2. Chris Biller
3. Eric Fry
4. Brian Doyle
5. Louis Stanfill
6. Samu Manoa
7. Scott LaValla
8. Todd Clever (C)
9. Mike Petri
10. Toby L'Estrange
11. Takudzwa Ngwenya
12. Andrew Suniula
13. Seamus Kelly
14. Luke Hume
15. Chris Wyles
16. Zach Fenoglio
17. Nick Wallace
18. Phil Thiel
19. Peter Dahl
20. John Quill
21. Robbie Shaw
22. James Paterson
23. Adam Siddall

Canada are also expecting about 20,000 at BMO for their Ireland game which would shatter the Canadian record set in Edmonton vs. the Maori years ago which was around 15,000.

 

[big ginger 8]

Suppose the Irish American/Canadian influence would have helped with the ticket sales?

I know Peat Manoa vs Henderson tasty.

 

[fitzy_52]

Is the Ireland match on at 1.30am or pm ? Reading different things on different websites . Can we get it online ?

 

[big ginger 8]

Is the Ireland match on at 1.30am or pm ? Reading different things on different websites . Can we get it online ?

AM highlights are being shown later on in the day.

Presume there'll be a stream, don't know if you can get TG4 where you are on the RTE player?

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rug...w-to-make-ireland-debuts-in-houston-1.1419894

It's the least experienced Iireland team since 1962.

 

[fitzy_52]

Ah right thought it was AM . I don't know am in uk so usually can't get rte online . Not sure bout tg4 . Will have to stay up late to find out !!

 

[big ginger 8]

Ah right thought it was AM . I don't know am in uk so usually can't get rte online . Not sure bout tg4 . Will have to stay up late to find out !!

Good luck anyway!

 

[fitzy_52]

Sorry is it Saturday morning or Sunday ? Tg4 listing is confusing

 

[big ginger 8]

Saturday night/Sunday morning.

 

[norcalbuff]

Suppose the Irish American/Canadian influence would have helped with the ticket sales?

I know Peat Manoa vs Henderson tasty.

Maybe a little bit but it's more that the local organizing committee in Houston has done a good job this year and last year as well as rugby generally growing here in the Us. Houston is a fairly international city but it doesn't have a massive Irish-American population like Boston or Chicago (or any East Coast city for that matter).

 

[dudeabides]

You tell by the pitch they are hoping to see this match all over the twitter:

I've been looking forward to this one since they announced it last year and I'm trying to remember to take my camera.

 

[lynam1104]

Really looking forward to this.

Young players are getting a shot in general which is great news, I was really hoping Hagan would get a start over Ross as hes impressed over the last few games of the season. The Madagin-Olding axis aso looks tasty both can run and distribute very well so should see some goos stuff from them. I'm hoping POM steps up well to captaincy for some players it's helps to being them to a new level of performance so if he can do that I would be very pleased.

I think that the game will be tight despite some ver talent youngsters from Ireland. I don't know a lot about the USA team but they purged a strong team close at the RWC so with these guys who have less experience I expect the same.

 

[norcalbuff]

So supposedly Siddall was left on the bench because Wyles was in great form kicking at goal during training this week.

 

[usausa]

So supposedly Siddall was left on the bench because Wyles was in great form kicking at goal during training this week.

Siddall only missed 1 last weekend, and he has proven during the club season he has a great boot. I don't think he played FB for us in the club season. Wyles has improved immensely off the tee, hopefully though he earned his spot due to other factors. Would hate for goal kicking in training to be the reason someone misses out in the starting XV.

EDIT: I have read the rugbymag premier article, I understand now the selection of Kelly and Wyles. After reading it, I get the sense that Kelly was been performing well at training, so he has warranted a spot in the lineup, and not needing to move Wyles there. For the FB spot, Wyles was kicking well enough to earn the shirt, did not indicate that Siddall had an off week. Wyles, also being more familiar with the attack system with L'Estrange, has an advantage there too.

 

[norcalbuff]

Siddall only missed 1 last weekend, and he has proven during the club season he has a great boot. I don't think he played FB for us in the club season. Wyles has improved immensely off the tee, hopefully though he earned his spot due to other factors. Would hate for goal kicking in training to be the reason someone misses out in the starting XV.

EDIT: I have read the rugbymag premier article, I understand now the selection of Kelly and Wyles. After reading it, I get the sense that Kelly was been performing well at training, so he has warranted a spot in the lineup, and not needing to move Wyles there. For the FB spot, Wyles was kicking well enough to earn the shirt, did not indicate that Siddall had an off week.

Can Siddall play 12? I'd rather see him there than Suniula who is on the wrong side of 30 with 2 more years until the RWC. You'd think with the wide game Tolkin is trying to play that you would want a bit more of a distributor at 12 in the Kiwi 2nd 5/8th model than a crash ball guy like Suniula.

 

[usausa]

Siddall can and has played 12.

Here is his tape from a couple of years ago, though I think most of it is him on the wing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CX0B2vZBa8Q

 

[norcalbuff]

Pitch looking in fine condition: