[November Tests 2017 EOYT] Ireland vs. South Africa (11/11/2017)

[Groundhog]

If I was a betting man I'd put money on Ireland to win.

If you were really a betting man you wouldn't bet on certainties like the passing of time, blowing of the wind or Ireland winning in Dublin
On a serious not ie the front row debate a few posts up, I also rate our front row as one of the best front rows in the world mainly because our props are in a golden age we couldn't have dreamed of a couple of years ago, but scrum time with South Africa will be a battle and the saffers are always producing specimens in that area. Marx would be parachuted into our team if he was Irish pretty quickly I feel and their second row are going to be dominant. I don't think there will be much between the backrows, but have a lot of faith in our half backs to be on top even if Murray isn't at his best vintage right now. If we show up we strangle them with intensity and win it tight. I don't think even at our best we'll run away with it.

 

[TRF_heineken]

It's hard to call until we see the teams.

But from what I've seen in the Pro14, and how we performed in the RC, I think our forwards, might have the upper hand.

But my fear is our backline, and especially our back 3. Ireland will surely use the aerial bombardments, and if Skosan and Rhule start, then we'll be demolished.

 

[JohnKA]

15 - Gellant
14 - Leyds
13 - AM
12 - Venter
11 - Skosan
10 - Pollard
09 - Cronje

With this we can win ... if DDA , Rhule or coetzee start we are in for a tough day

 

[Gavin]

Tommy Bowe saying in an article today that if a position is between an Irish and Irish qualified player, then if it is clearly a 50-50 choice, the Irish lad should get it.

Clearly a small dig at Aki, probably because of his buddies in the Ulster side who may not start. Bit unfair for Aki because he is only following the rules.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

15 - Gellant
14 - Leyds
13 - AM
12 - Venter
11 - Skosan
10 - Pollard
09 - Cronje

With this we can win ... if DDA , Rhule or coetzee start we are in for a tough day

Who's AM? What are he and Venter like? It could be a battle in the centres considering both of ours are over 100kg for the first time in history I imagine!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Who's AM? What are he and Venter like? It could be a battle in the centres considering both of ours are over 100kg for the first time in history I imagine!

Lukhanyo Am.

He's a specialist 13. He plays for the Sharks and weighs in at 93kg's. Solid on Defence, and really pacy. But what makes him so good is the running lines he runs, which will definitely be a potent weapon.

Venter plays for the Cheetahs, haven't you had a chance to see him play in the Pro14? He's a real all round baller.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

AM is an uncapped centre an all round player with pace and creative play , Venter is very much the same type of player but i rate both much higher than DDA and Jesse Kriel , they both weigh about 80 - 90 kg but can do some serious damage have also not played as a combo and as we know AC he will most likely start DDA

Lukhanyo Am.

He's a specialist 13. He plays for the Sharks and weighs in at 93kg's. Solid on Defence, and really pacy. But what makes him so good is the running lines he runs, which will definitely be a potent weapon.

Venter plays for the Cheetahs, haven't you had a chance to see him play in the Pro14? He's a real all round baller.

Thanks guys! I'm still learning names Heineken! Looking at it team sheets, I remember Venter having a bit of fun against Leinster in Bloemfontein anyway, he didn't play against Connacht and I won't bother looking back to Munster and Ulster because Cheetahs were incompetent on that tour! I rarely get to watch all the provincial games let alone those of other nations unfortunately.

I'll wait until teams are names to comment properly but I can't imagine this game going by without aerial bombardment from Ireland, with Leinster playing some good, structured attacking rugby again (Bloemfontein and Glasgow excluded) I think Joe might go back to his older Leinster ways as much as the International game will allow and have some devastating phases of play that will cut teams apart. I'm feeling slightly more confident today, probably thanks to Gordan D'Arcy's column in the Irish Times provides good insight from a recent pro. I think we need this one more than SA and can't see the highly emotional performance against NZ last time out being repeated for this one!

D'Arcy article for anyone interested - https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ru...pontaneity-will-beat-the-springboks-1.3283508

 

[TRF_heineken]

Thanks guys! I'm still learning names Heineken! Looking at it team sheets, I remember Venter having a bit of fun against Leinster in Bloemfontein anyway, he didn't play against Connacht and I won't bother looking back to Munster and Ulster because Cheetahs were incompetent on that tour! I rarely get to watch all the provincial games let alone those of other nations unfortunately.

I'll wait until teams are names to comment properly but I can't imagine this game going by without aerial bombardment from Ireland, with Leinster playing some good, structured attacking rugby again (Bloemfontein and Glasgow excluded) I think Joe might go back to his older Leinster ways as much as the International game will allow and have some devastating phases of play that will cut teams apart. I'm feeling slightly more confident today, probably thanks to Gordan D'Arcy's column in the Irish Times provides good insight from a recent pro. I think we need this one more than SA and can't see the highly emotional performance against NZ last time out being repeated for this one!

D'Arcy article for anyone interested - https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/ru...pontaneity-will-beat-the-springboks-1.3283508

If Ireland is going to do the Aerial Bombardment, then we need to pick Warrick Gelant, who loves to counter attack. But more importantly, we need to pick guys that can Support Gelant. Our forwards need to fast and fit, and our backs need to be up for it at the rucks.

With the talk of Ireland picking big centres, it may prompt AC to pick Pollard at 10, with DDA at 12 and either Venter/Am at 13. Just to counterbalance the size of the Irish backs.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

With the talk of Ireland picking big centres, it may prompt AC to pick Pollard at 10, with DDA at 12 and either Venter/Am at 13. Just to counterbalance the size of the Irish backs.

Robbie Henshaw (102kg) will be paired with one of Bundee Aki (101kg) or Stuart McCloskey (109kg) with the only other centre in the squad being Chris Farrell (110kg) so it'll be in his mind. Not that small centres can't beat big ones, Messrs. D'Arcy and O'Driscoll will attest to that!

 

[profitius]

If Ireland is going to do the Aerial Bombardment, then we need to pick Warrick Gelant, who loves to counter attack. But more importantly, we need to pick guys that can Support Gelant. Our forwards need to fast and fit, and our backs need to be up for it at the rucks.

With the talk of Ireland picking big centres, it may prompt AC to pick Pollard at 10, with DDA at 12 and either Venter/Am at 13. Just to counterbalance the size of the Irish backs.

The Irish centers could be Aki and Henshaw which would be averaged size for international rugby.


There'll be a lot of kicking guaranteed but if I was SA coach I'd pick a player who is good in the air. An elusive attacking player won't any space to attack from Murray's box kicks so they should concentrate on winning possession.

 

[Groundhog]

The Irish centers could be Aki and Henshaw which would be averaged size for international rugby.


There'll be a lot of kicking guaranteed but if I was SA coach I'd pick a player who is good in the air. An elusive attacking player won't any space to attack from Murray's box kicks so they should concentrate on winning possession.

Henshaw and Aki are big for a centre partnership and Henshaw and McCloskey are pure bulky. I'd say having two men over 100kg would put you at one of the heaviest centre partnerships in the world right now.
If the Saffers pick a wing who isn't good in the air he'll have a horrible day.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Taking of massive centres, what has happened to Rohan van Rensburg? I heard a lot of SA's talking about him but he has seemed to disappear from the squad.

 

[SomeOke]

Taking of massive centres, what has happened to Rohan van Rensburg? I heard a lot of SA's talking about him but he has seemed to disappear from the squad.

He's one of the players most people feel was unlucky to miss out, but essentia;lly he was injured for most of the domestic season, and he hasn't quite been good enough since he's come back to force his way in.
As opposed to AM who has had a good season all year, and Venter, who is a good all rounder that can cover 12 and 13.

 

[TRF_heineken]

Taking of massive centres, what has happened to Rohan van Rensburg? I heard a lot of SA's talking about him but he has seemed to disappear from the squad.

He wasn't selected by AC for the tour. Which is mind boggling. But with that said, Venter and Am deserves to be there too. Damien De Allende on the other hand. He should swim back to Cape Town.

 

[JohnKA]

He wasn't selected by AC for the tour. Which is mind boggling. But with that said, Venter and Am deserves to be there too. Damien De Allende on the other hand. He should swim back to Cape Town.

So true , just replace DDA with RJVR and we have very decent centre options , combo of 12 - RJVR and 13 - Venter/Am can be legendary !!

 

[SomeOke]

My bae will prove you all wrong <3 .

 

[profitius]

Henshaw and Aki are big for a centre partnership and Henshaw and McCloskey are pure bulky. I'd say having two men over 100kg would put you at one of the heaviest centre partnerships in the world right now.
If the Saffers pick a wing who isn't good in the air he'll have a horrible day.

Think so? I thought the average internations center weight would be around 95kg-100kgs.

 

[Groundhog]

Think so? I thought the average internations center weight would be around 95kg-100kgs.

Ah I'd say 95ish would be about right. They'd be heavier than England or Scotlands typical pairing for sure. I suppose beyond size is that theyre as physical a pairing as you'll find.

 

[munstermuffin]

Irish team according to Gerry Thornley

IRELAND (possible, v South Africa): R Kearney; J Stockdale, R Henshaw, B Aki, K Earls; J Sexton, C Murray; C Healy, R Best (capt), T Furlong, D Toner, I Henderson, P O'Mahony, S O'Brien, C J Stander. Replacements: D Kilcoyne, R Herring, J Ryan, U Dillane, R Ruddock, K Marmion, J Carbery, A Conway.

15 jersey doesn't shock me but very poor call.
McGrath x2 dropped is strange.
Killer flying it but strange call to drop McGrath. Dillane in is odd too. Luke McGrath dropped too is odd.
But while I disagree hugely with 15 jersey I think Schmidt has to be applauded. He seems to be using game to test depth and knows result is irrlevant if it benefits us down line.

Where is the real Joe gone?
This Joe seems fun. Kim Joe Ying fun

 

[mosfeldt]

Ah here, Kearney is hardly a "very poor" call. He may not be super pacey and exciting to watch but he gets the job done and is sound defensively, not to mention great aerially. The likes of Conway and Carbery are much quicker and threatening but they have inexperienced at Test level whereas Kearney is a veteran. The likes of him (and SOB, Sexton, etc) don't need huge amounts of game time under their belt to be well-cooked for a Test match. They ramp up their intensity levels when it comes to the crunch. Conway et al are the way of the future there is no doubt about that, but for a game with a big psychological baggage attached (with us being likely '19 QF opponents) going for the tried and tested is a safe call. A "very poor" call is a serious exaggeration IMO. I'm not a huge Kearney fan or anything and I hope he doesn't start any 6N games next year but I think this is a match where he couldn't be more apt, tbh.