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

[Leonormous Boozer]

There were rumours of a McGrath J injury, no way Kilcoyne would be ahead.
I don't think McGrath L has ever been ahead of Marmion.

 

[mosfeldt]

I'm just glad D. Kearney isn't starting*. J McGrath not starting aside (hope that was out of his control, no way it can't be) that is a damn solid team. Come a year's time with Conway being the incumbent 15 and hopefully this "Joe's boys" and "conservative Joe" rubbish can be put to bed. Not that the42.ie and boards are good places for quality rugby insight. Well, not when Murray Kinsella is on a sabbatical anyways :/

*If this does turn out to be the real team, though Thornley is usually on the money

 

[munstermuffin]

Difference of opinions on Kearney but as was said nation divided on him so won't spin a repeated record.
On Jack McGrath he's pictured training yesterday so seems it's tactical/experimental.
Carbery is unlucky not to be 15 and Ruddock. As I said not hammering Schmidt just I disagree with 15 and if that is the team named I guarantee that is where most of the debate will be.

 

[SomeOke]

Can someone tell me about Stockdale for interest sakes?
Looks very interesting 21 years old, 13 caps with an u-20 side generally signals prodigy.

 

[big ginger 8]

Can someone tell me about Stockdale for interest sakes?
Looks very interesting 21 years old, 13 caps with an u-20 side generally signals prodigy.

Yeah, probably safe to call him a prodigy. Burst onto the scene with a hattrick in his first game for Ireland u18s.

Will play wing for us if playing, which is likely. Is a pretty big lad (listed at 191cm and 101kg), rocket left boot, very good in the air and a dangerous finisher (5 tries in 7 appearance this year for Ulster). Was a bit shakey on his international debut but has been excellent this year and by all accounts does not lack for confidence.

 

[Amiga500]

Can someone tell me about Stockdale for interest sakes?

Probably our most in-form player at the moment (speaking for both Ulster & Ireland).

A couple of years ago when he first came into the senior squad, I questioned the decision to let Rory Scholes go. Was I ever more wrong?

As BG8 says, hes a big guy, quick, strong enough to break a tackle that's not on the money, good hands, good feet, can pick a line or jink and can finish in tight spaces. Comfortable taking someone on on the inside or outside (IIRC he stood up and burned Christian Wade a couple of times vs. Wasps a month or so ago).

 

[JohnKA]

Any idea when the springbok team will be announced ?

 

[SomeOke]

Any idea when the springbok team will be announced ?

Allister Coetzee continuing to be a disappointment...
Couldn't even improve my work day.

To be honest though I don't think there are many new things we could learn. No 23/ No 7/ no 18 potentially the only positions that might be interesting?

Still it's been almost two weeks since I've had any rugby and I'm craving some rugby news that isn't catty world cup news (from all sides).

 

[JohnKA]

Allister Coetzee continuing to be a disappointment...
Couldn't even improve my work day.

Haha yeah ! My entire work day so far have been looking at bitcoin prices and waiting for the bok team !!

 

[TRF_heineken]

Haha yeah ! My entire work day so far have been looking at bitcoin prices and waiting for the bok team !!

Yeah, my Bitcoin mine is a thing of beauty...

But what is taking so long with the matchday squad? Did AC forgot it's Thursday?? and Lunchtime has been done and dusted.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Yeah, my Bitcoin mine is a thing of beauty...

But what is taking so long with the matchday squad? Did AC forgot it's Thursday?? and Lunchtime has been done and dusted.

Ireland are naming their side at 1.45 (20 minutes time), I imagine SA will be around then too.

 

[JohnKA]

Yeah, my Bitcoin mine is a thing of beauty...

But what is taking so long with the matchday squad? Did AC forgot it's Thursday?? and Lunchtime has been done and dusted.

AC is afraid of naming the team because he knows that we will bash him for picking DDA

 

[munstermuffin]

Rumours Earls is out.
Conway to the wing and Sweetnam to 23.

Jack McGrath dropped

 

[munstermuffin]

Stander at 6 POM at 7 SOB at 8.
McGrath dropped and Sweets on bench.

 

[profitius]

15. Rob Kearney (UCD/Leinster) 76 caps
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 3 caps
13. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 29 caps
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht)*
11. Jacob Stockdale (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 2 caps
10. Johnny Sexton (St Mary's College/Leinster) 66 caps

9. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 57 caps
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 70 caps
2. Rory Best (c) (Banbridge/Ulster) c 104 caps
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 16 caps
4. Iain Henderson (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 32 caps
5. Devin Toner (Lansdowne/Leinster) 50 caps
6. Peter O'Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 40 caps
7. Sean O'Brien (UCD/Leinster) 49 caps
8. CJ Stander (Shannon/Munster) 15 caps

Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 1 cap
17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 20 caps
18. John Ryan (Cork Constitution/Munster) 9 caps
19. James Ryan (UCD/Leinster) 2 caps
20. Rhys Ruddock (St Mary's College/Leinster) 16 caps
21. Kieran Marmion (Corinthians/Connacht) 16 caps
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Leinster) 4 caps
23. Darren Sweetnam (Cork Constitution/Munster)*

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ireland: Rob Kearney, Andrew Conway, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, Jacob Stockdale, Johnny Sexton, Conor Murray; Cian Healy, Rory Best, Tadhg Furlong, Iain Henderson, Devin Toner, Peter O'Mahony, Sean O'Brien, CJ Stander.

Replacements: Rob Herring, Dave Kilcoyne, John Ryan, James Ryan, Rhys Ruddock, Kieran Marmion, Joey Carbery, Darren Sweetnam.

McGrath picked up an injury during training according to RTE. I like that team but that sub front row is a worry, Healy and Best presumably won't last much longer than 50 minutes and Kilcoyne, Herring, Ryan isn't a front row that screams International class to me. Not that I think it altered the selection at 15 but with Conway and Stockdale on the wings I think Kearney had to play, Carbery would have made it a hugely inexperienced back three. Still, that's two pretty dangerous wings and Stockdale can do a bit of playmaking, Pro 12 winning centres and the World's best halfback pairing without much to worry about up front. Would have liked the McGraths but apart from that I can't complain.

 

[profitius]

I'm happy enough with that team. Good to see James Ryan and Sweetnam on the bench.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Jack McGrath wasn't training fully but could have played by the sounds of things, Killers form matched with Jack not getting to his pre-Lions form and the slight knock enough to get Kilcoyne in. If it was the same scenario for a Six Nations match, I could see Jack getting the nod! Can't wait now!

 

[Groundhog]

Not a team I would have imagined a few months ago, but that's rugby. Very positive from Schmidt, and Alpha's experience in the back three point does hold some weight. Between the three of them they should cause a lot of trouble on kicks and Sweetnam is one of the best players in the air I've ever seen for Munster even if his defensive positioning needs work.
Wouldn't like to bring Killer on in a game where we're doing a lot of defending and can't afford penalities, but I'd back J.Ryan all day if he's in good health. Herring has fallen off hugely from where he could be for me. Aki and Henshaw were the difference between Connacht being a good team and slap bang average team a few years back, so looking forward to that.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

The Springbok team to against Ireland in Dublin on Saturday:
15. Andries Coetzee, Emirates Lions – 9 caps, 0 points
14. Dillyn Leyds, DHL Stormers – 5 caps, 0 points
13. Jesse Kriel, Vodacom Bulls – 24 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
12. Damian de Allende, DHL Stormers 27 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
11. Courtnall Skosan, Emirates Lions – 9 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
10. Elton Jantjies, Emirates Lions/NTT Shining Arcs (Japan) – 20 caps, 198 points (2 tries, 37 conversions, 38 penalties)
9. Ross Cronje, Emirates Lions – 6 caps, 10 points (1 tries)
8. Francois Louw, Bath, England – 54 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, DHL Stormers – 29 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
6. Siya Kolisi, DHL Stormers – 25 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
5. Lood de Jager, Vodacom Bulls – 32 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
4. Eben Etzebeth (captain), DHL Stormers – 63 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
3. Coenie Oosthuizen, Cell C Sharks – 29 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
2. Malcolm Marx, Emirates Lions – 10 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
1. Tendai Mtawarira, Cell C Sharks – 95 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements:
16. Bongi Mbonambi, DHL Stormers – 11 caps, 0 points
17. Steven Kitshoff, DHL Stormers – 19 caps, 0 points
18. Wilco Louw, DHL Stormers – 1 cap, 0 points
19. Franco Mostert, Emirates Lions/Ricoh Black Rams (Jap) – 15 caps, 0 points
20. Uzair Cassiem, Toyota Cheetahs – 6 caps, 5 points (1 try)
21. Rudy Paige, Vodacom Bulls – 11 caps, 5 points (1 try)
22. Handré Pollard, Vodacom Bulls – 22 caps, 190 points (2 tries, 30 conversions, 37 penalties, 3 drop goals)
23. Francois Venter, Toyota Free State Cheetahs – 3 caps, 0 points