[November Tests 2016 EOYT] Ireland vs. New Zealand (19/11/2016)

[munstermuffin]

O'Brien has to start if he in 23. Simply because if he was on bench and we loose a guy early it'll hurt us badly. He won't last much more than 60mins.
On flipside and this will be controversial to say. The SOB of last 18-24months hasn't done a whole lot in terms of form hasn't been spectacular. If everyone was fit on current form he would oust Jordi or JVDF.

 

[SomeOke]

It's a great NZ side don't get me wrong but I feel like the loose trio is underwhelming. Squire and Cane are great players but not game breakers, I still think it's super weird Ardie can't make the starting side, he can win you games by himself.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

I'm thinking here that the last time a side as good as this were as motivated to beat Ireland was probably England's '03 side in the Slam decider... Think we'll fair a wee bit better in two days time!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

It's a great NZ side don't get me wrong but I feel like the loose trio is underwhelming.

More than offset by having their locks back.

With a super motivated AB team I can only see one result. Which is good news for Ireland as I'm invariably wrong.

As a neutral I'm just looking forward to watching a proper full on test. If I had a vested interest in this I'd be behind the sofa...or under the table.

 

[munstermuffin]

Can I add pic.
Was right SOB starts.
Dillane dropped for Henderson
Jackso on bench too

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Would have liked VdF starting... Harsh as **** on Dillane, would be in the 23 ahead of Ringrose for me.

 

[munstermuffin]

Would have liked VdF starting... Harsh as **** on Dillane, would be in the 23 ahead of Ringrose for me.

Not sure he a back.
Team ok except Sean O'Brien is only maybe call

 

[Peat]

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 70
14. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 67
13. Jared Payne (Ulster) 17
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 23
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 26
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster) 62
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 51
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 34
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 98 (c)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 9
4. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster) 42
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 40
6. CJ Stander (Munster) 8
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) 43
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 89 (v/c)

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster) 54
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 60
18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 4
19. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 26
20. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 3
21. Kieran Marmion (Galway Corinthians/Connacht) 7
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 17
23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)

Shirley the Canada game was a full cap international and Ringrose should be on 1?

 

[munstermuffin]

Looking at that we are down at lineout time too. Toner will be marked closely.
It's a good impact bench

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

No reason to think the ABs will be markedly better here. But they only have to improve a little. ABs by 5-7 in a thriller.

 

[Ospervat]

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 70
14. Andrew Trimble (Ballymena/Ulster) 67
13. Jared Payne (Ulster) 17
12. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 23
11. Simon Zebo (Cork Constitution/Munster) 26
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster) 62
9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 51
1. Jack McGrath (St. Mary's College/Leinster) 34
2. Rory Best (Banbridge/Ulster) 98 (c)
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 9
4. Donnacha Ryan (Shannon/Munster) 42
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 40
6. CJ Stander (Munster) 8
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) 43
8. Jamie Heaslip (Dublin University/Leinster) 89 (v/c)

Replacements
16. Sean Cronin (St Mary's College/Leinster) 54
17. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 60
18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 4
19. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 26
20. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 3
21. Kieran Marmion (Galway Corinthians/Connacht) 7
22. Paddy Jackson (Dungannon/Ulster) 17
23. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster)

Shirley the Canada game was a full cap international and Ringrose should be on 1?

Yes the Canada game is a full cap. And don't call me Shirley.

 

[Five Meters Out]

Speaking of luck....

I thought at the time "That's out," and lucky to be given. However it all balances out. When the Irish half scores his try, he runs through a gap left open because an Irish forward is grappling with Frank's on the All Blacks side of the ruck. Goes to the TMO, "No try" ruling for certain.

 

[Larksea]

Much better All Black side compared to Chicago. Locks back, great but I don't expect them to be 100%. Hopefully they are close enough too it.

Interesting BarrettS has been selected on the bench. Shows how much of an impression he has made on this tour.

I would have been tempted to select Luatua on the bench as well given the injuries Retalick & Whitelock have had. Retalick is clearly going to have to play 80min. He should be good.

Shame Kaino is injured, but hes been a bit off his best recently. Squire has had some good showings, the Chicago game was actually one of his better tests he was one of the few players who impressed me hopefully that will continue.

I think with Squire and a few others it's a case of them being more fresh at this point in the season. Squire hasn't been worked as hard as Cane, Kaino and Read in particular.

I think Starting Smith over Perenara is a flat out mistake and Perenara deserves to start. No other way to put it. But I expect Smith to be better and I think we will be good enough anyway. I hope we are in a position to give Perenara a good 30min or so in the 2nd half. But Smith has been selected on faith and he needs to step up, I'd like to see him really get involved and put his opposite under pressure.

I'd rather Naholo started over Savea, but at the same time Naholo is actually seen as a midfield cover option if there is an injury. He also has the potential to make a big impact against a tiring defense in the 2nd half.

Savea is just hit or miss. If he doesn't have a big game he will probably be our worst player again as he arguably was in Chicago. he usually needs the team playing well and going forward to shine.

We've got James Lowe on a tear for the MAB's, I think he scored trys in every game on their tour? And from what Ive seen his kicking game has been on point as always. Seems silly to keep running savea because he has 1-2 big games a season when guys like Lowe put in every week.

Hopefully Barrett spend his week off practicing his goal kicking.
I also expect him to take the line on a bit more and earlier in the game. In Chicago NZ got back into the game when Barrett started running. I'd like to see Dagg and Smith do the same.

Good side, very close to our best. The bench has been selected on ability rather than to give new guys experience and gametime.

I expect a win for the AB's. IF we start well it should be a convincing win.

 

[petite]

I don't really see that a mistake from an opponent constitutes luck on the part of the side that benefits. A clear yellow, a red would have been exceedingly harsh IMO.

i call it luck when an opponent as consistent as the all blacks concede unforced errors. like that yellow a completelly unnecesary play!
i dont take anything away from the irish! they did make a great job!

 

[profitius]

In Chicago NZ demonstrated why they're the best team in the world. The game didnt go well for them and they hadn't many opportunities to get going but they still managed to score 4 tries.


I've been critical of Schmidt style of play in he past and will wait and see if they can back up the performance of 2 weeks ago or was it a one off.

 

[The Jones Boy]

Luke Fitzgerald isn't doing his country any favours by mouthing off in the press.
This nonsense about being disrespectful is only going to be fuel for the All Blacks.
I can't help but feel that LF is smarting because his neck injury forced him out of rugby a few years earlier than expected and he fancied himself to be in the side that did the business in Chicago.
Whatever his motivations, they are poorly misplaced and you should never give your opponent extra reason to lift themselves and try a little harder.

 

[GoTheNaki]

I'm gonna stay quiet till game day.

Aaron Smith will play so good. He always does after he has a ****ter.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Luke Fitzgerald isn't doing his country any favours by mouthing off in the press.
This nonsense about being disrespectful is only going to be fuel for the All Blacks.
I can't help but feel that LF is smarting because his neck injury forced him out of rugby a few years earlier than expected and he fancied himself to be in the side that did the business in Chicago.
Whatever his motivations, they are poorly misplaced and you should never give your opponent extra reason to lift themselves and try a little harder.

He's not really mouthing off at all, the arrogant comment was part of a much broader statement. He said nothing that posters on these boards from NZ have said about that game.

 

[The Jones Boy]

He was mouthing off and he will be sorry if Ireland get whipped because he has contributed to giving the opposition a motivating element.
Never diss your opponents just before the game.
Nothing good ever comes from it.
The AB's were not disrespectful to Ireland.
When you get injuries you can't play your best team and while that contributed to us coming up short mouthing off that we were disrespectful actively diminishes what Ireland achieved and I think thats the real issue here.
There are no trophies to be played for in the Autumn window. They are the perfect time to try out new players and see how they go in the pressure cooker of International rugby.
That said the AB team that took the field in Chicago was not a bad side by any stretch.
Ireland are a very good side and they proved it at Soldiers Field.
That win was long overdue and fully deserved.
Luke Fitzgerald comes across like a bloke who has an axe to grind and he can feel free to shut his mouth until he has something worthwhile to say instead of talking trash.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

He was mouthing off and he will be sorry if Ireland get whipped because he has contributed to giving the opposition a motivating element.
Never diss your opponents just before the game.
Nothing good ever comes from it.
The AB's were not disrespectful to Ireland.
When you get injuries you can't play your best team and while that contributed to us coming up short mouthing off that we were disrespectful actively diminishes what Ireland achieved and I think thats the real issue here.
There are no trophies to be played for in the Autumn window. They are the perfect time to try out new players and see how they go in the pressure cooker of International rugby.

He wasn't mouthing off, his sentiment was that NZ will be better and tougher to beat if you read his whole statement. A bad use of words but he wasn't disrespecting anyone.