RWC: Australia - Ireland (17-09-2011 20:30)

[Diego]

Very excited for this match, between my 2 favorite international sides. Would be happier with an Ireland win though, as I think Australia will safely find their way to the quarters, while Ireland could be in a bit of trouble with another poor display and low confidence to play against the likes of Russia and Italy (I've never seen Russia play but think Italy could be a difficult opponent if Ireland are not in their best days)

 

[munstermuffin]

Fair play Diego and well these games are always tight but for the believers in this Irish team -
If we were to win this game and top the pool the a QF against Wales/Samoa/Fiji, A SF against France/England/ A Final against NZ.
Simply put if we were to top the group the Final is not an unrealistic target and well this team can do it.

 

[Diego]

That would be great. I just seen Varley was called as a replacement for Flannery, a Munster player for another, isn't it?

 

[profitius]

Lastly this isn't to all Leinster fans but will ye please pull the finger out and stop *****ing and moaning at every call that involves a Leinster player loosing out, it's an Irish team not a F**king Leinster, Munster or Ulster team. The Irish staff see these guys 2/3 times a day training and well instances like the 2nd row position, DOC isn't in best form but if the other 2 were any bit up for a challenge and had a bit of hunger they should've been like dogs in training and hit everything. Maybe that is how Ryan got his spot and that goes for every position so quit the crap and stop sulking and maybe try support the Irish team and if that not what you want then F**k off and watch soccer because you obviously not to interested in wanting us to succeed at this World Cup.

Well said MM! They (not all but a portion of them) complain about Deccie favouring Munster players but he starts Sexton over ROG. They complain about Earls' poor form but ignore Jennings and Cullens form. They've been talking s!te about Donnacha Ryan since he was named in the squad and think Cullen is perfection.

 

[snoopy snoopy dog dog]

They've been talking s!te about Donnacha Ryan since he was named in the squad and think Cullen is perfection.

I don't necessarily think that's true. The calls for Cullen are more to do with the consistently poor form of O'Callaghan than anything else. Cullen is a very solid player who's also a ******* to play against. He's far from perfect but deserves a shot. As captain of a two time Heineken Cup winning tea, I think he's a better option than Ryan who still can't break the monopoly O'Connell and O'Callaghan have on the Munster 4 and 5 shirts.

For what it's worth, I think selecting Ryan in the World Cup squad was the right call since he's playing better than his competition (namely McLaughlin and McCarthy). After the World Cup, I'd discard Cullen and O'Callaghan completely and promote Ryan and Tuohy as potential second row partners of O'Connell.

 

[i tickle ur tum]

ur right im wrong

:lol:
fair point m.p, he was jolted elsewhere which wasnt his fault but u have to question the management making a donkey outta him(& trimble!) we should be settled by now & the tinkering long gone, but we didnt even know who was goin 2 be @ 9&10 till this morning..the fine art clearly not tuned...just have 2c wat happens on saturday,if we keep kicking it to them we will get trounced...


View attachment 1288

Typo perhaps?[/QUOTE]

 

[munstermuffin]

I don't necessarily think that's true. The calls for Cullen are more to do with the consistently poor form of O'Callaghan than anything else. Cullen is a very solid player who's also a ******* to play against. He's far from perfect but deserves a shot. As captain of a two time Heineken Cup winning tea, I think he's a better option than Ryan who still can't break the monopoly O'Connell and O'Callaghan have on the Munster 4 and 5 shirts.

For what it's worth, I think selecting Ryan in the World Cup squad was the right call since he's playing better than his competition (namely McLaughlin and McCarthy). After the World Cup, I'd discard Cullen and O'Callaghan completely and promote Ryan and Tuohy as potential second row partners of O'Connell.

Snoop I can accept that but just make 2 points:
1) Donnacha Ryan did break the monopoly and his versatility moved him to 6 when DOC came in for Leamy but before that Ryan had dislodged DOC and is a dogged player and can be aggressive.
2) I'm just pointing Cullen wasn't in good form and well maybe isn't going well in training and that is how Ryan has gone ahead. And Ryan can be a ******* and menace too and well learnt alot off Quinny who was the master of really ******* off the opposition and his own team too.

As for after the RWC from the 30 there (32 as I'll include Fla and Wally) these are the guys that should be told thanks for years of great service but good luck.
Buckley - Not at the level required
Flannery - Body not up to task
DOC - Not at the level anymore
Cullen - Pushing on and will benefit him too in the long run and prolong career
Wallace - Pity we can't clone the man but sadly he has played last game in green but a legend
ROG - Superb service but isn't going to last forever and Sexton has to learn from experience how to last 80 mins and close games and won't when he's expecting to be replaced.
D'Arcy - Not up to same level
Murphy - Has done his time
Also BOD has to be used alot less and blood guys in to centre partnerships. We learnt Keith isn't an international centre so try maybe Luke Fitz, McFadden, Spence, Barnes and well look maybe only 1 or 2 will only cut it but at least we know.

Look at this Austrailia team - They took a few beatings after last RWC when they were blooding their team and well always plan in a 4 year cycle - Now the majority of their players that started with beatings now look like a team that, when on their day, can dismantle any team anywhere and that includes beating this All Blacks team in RWC.

 

[munstermuffin]

:lol:
fair point m.p, he was jolted elsewhere which wasnt his fault but u have to question the management making a donkey outta him(& trimble!) we should be settled by now & the tinkering long gone, but we didnt even know who was goin 2 be @ 9&10 till this morning..the fine art clearly not tuned...just have 2c wat happens on saturday,if we keep kicking it to them we will get trounced...


View attachment 1288

Typo perhaps?

[/QUOTE]
You do realize that while we only heard team this morning the players will probably have known since Monday,
Also our backline with the exception of 9 & 15 has been settled a long time - Yes there was tinkering in the warm up games but every team does that and if you knew your stuff kicking tactically and well to corners would suit us alot more than them and well Sexton at 10 has the capabilities to do that or play ther runnig game effectively so no worries here

 

[MunsterMan]

I have a feeling DOC is going to surprise a lot of you at the weekend! He is a far better player than you are giving him credit for, certainly better than Cullen. Cullen runs a line out well and is a good leader. Good Heineken Cup level Lock when paired with a beast like Hines who can do a lot of the Grunt work for him. DOC has 80 test caps, including 4 for the British and Irish Lions. Totally different calibre of player. If POC gets injured (god forbid) Cullen would be straight in at 5, but I would never pick him ahead of DOC.

The bench selection is wrong though, it should be Ryan and Jennings. Ryan is as effective at 6 as Leamy, while SOB can cover 8 should Heaslip have an injury. Cullen is just not up to the physicality of international level in my opinion. He seems to struggle in contact even at Heineken cup level.

 

[Peat]

Either munstermuffin forgot they existed, or he thinks Jennings and Paddy Wallace still have something to offer to the party post World Cup...

 

[munstermuffin]

I have a feeling DOC is going to surprise a lot of you at the weekend! He is a far better player than you are giving him credit for, certainly better than Cullen. Cullen runs a line out well and is a good leader. Good Heineken Cup level Lock when paired with a beast like Hines who can do a lot of the Grunt work for him. DOC has 80 test caps, including 4 for the British and Irish Lions. Totally different calibre of player. If POC gets injured (god forbid) Cullen would be straight in at 5, but I would never pick him ahead of DOC.

The bench selection is wrong though, it should be Ryan and Jennings. Ryan is as effective at 6 as Leamy, while SOB can cover 8 should Heaslip have an injury. Cullen is just not up to the physicality of international level in my opinion. He seems to struggle in contact even at Heineken cup level.

Wrong in some aspects here, Agree 50% on comments regarding DOC as he does do alot of the grunt unseen work but I think IF on form Cullen is a good player and well since he's returned from Leicester he has been a leader and done well for Ireland especially last year in 6Nations.
Jennings has never done anything in green and Leamy is not a top class international 7 but will contribute IF SOB were to get injured or Heaslip where Jennings won't.
But truth been said I'd have selected Ferris at 7 and well any chance he gets legally to belt Pocock as much as possible, sure we have no natural 7 up to the job so might as well make their 7 feel like hell

 

[munstermuffin]

Either munstermuffin forgot they existed, or he thinks Jennings and Paddy Wallace still have something to offer to the party post World Cup...

Sorry I actually forgot both add them to list

 

[Conal]

Either munstermuffin forgot they existed, or he thinks Jennings and Paddy Wallace still have something to offer to the party post World Cup...

sad that mincer will retire soon

 

[munstermuffin]

Agreed in his prime Wallace was a good player but he is close to ROG's age now and well it is time to shift these guys on and try plan for 2 -4 years down the road

 

[MunsterMan]

Wrong in some aspects here, Agree 50% on comments regarding DOC as he does do alot of the grunt unseen work but I think IF on form Cullen is a good player and well since he's returned from Leicester he has been a leader and done well for Ireland especially last year in 6Nations.
Jennings has never done anything in green and Leamy is not a top class international 7 but will contribute IF SOB were to get injured or Heaslip where Jennings won't.
But truth been said I'd have selected Ferris at 7 and well any chance he gets legally to belt Pocock as much as possible, sure we have no natural 7 up to the job so might as well make their 7 feel like hell

Rough Pocock up a bit? I'm sure know one has tried that before.

Cullen looks out of his depth at international level. Leamy, as much as I like the guy, is constantly injured, who bar a brief scintilating run of form in December 2009 (before getting injured...again) culminating in the performance away to Perpignan, hasn't played well since 2008. He lost his place in the Munster team towards the end of the season, he should not be on the bench for Ireland.

Jennings i do rate. He has never had a great game for Ireland fair enough, but he is the closest to a true 7 we have. He can offer an impact of the bench. Watch a certain 2011 Heineken cup final for an example

 

[Peat]

Sorry I actually forgot both add them to list

Do not make this a thread of lies - we all know you possess great manlove for Jennings and Mincer, and believe them indispensible to the Irish cause.

sad that mincer will retire soon

It is, but getting to pick his replacement out of Spence, Marshall and Whitten (and possibly Farrell and Nelson as well) should take the sting off of things nicely...

 

[munstermuffin]

As I said MunsterMan he is good for Leinster and I rate him at club level but why pick him when he constantly disappears and has 0 impact.

And Pocock has never been targeted by a guy like Ferris just think it'd be worth a shot as we won't beat him in traditional 7 battle

 

[Logorrhea]

Jennings i do rate. He has never had a great game for Ireland fair enough, but he is the closest to a true 7 we have. He can offer an impact of the bench. Watch a certain 2011 Heineken cup final for an example

Incidently, this nonsense of Jennings never having played well for Ireland. Hes only had 6 starts, in 5-6 years. People work off an assumption that hes had plenty of opportunities when he hasnt been give a shot at all.

Its too late not, and I wouldnt have put him in ahead of Wallace, but I would have groomed his as an option in case of injuries. Now, while Kidney has selected pretty much his best team, he has left us absolutely toothless from the bench.

Wont make any difference really. Unless we really click and the pack get rolling, we havent a hope in hell of scoring the 25+ points we will need to score to win.

 

[munstermuffin]

6 starts and 11 caps yes but he's been around long enough and he'll Wallace wasn't always in top form so if Jennings was worth his salt then in them 11 caps and in numerous camps he shouldve been like a bear and gave the coach no option but to play him. Facts are facts and well he has never played well for Ireland and against USA he had a golden opportunity and was played off the park

 

[TRF_Ezequiel]

[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR][TD] Australia [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] Ireland [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Kurtley Beale [/TD][TD] 15 [/TD][TD] Rob Kearney [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] James O'Connor [/TD][TD] 14 [/TD][TD] Tommy Bowe [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Anthony Faingaa [/TD][TD] 13 [/TD][TD] Brian O'Driscoll [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Pat McCabe [/TD][TD] 12 [/TD][TD] Gordon D'Arcy [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Adam Ashley-Cooper [/TD][TD] 11 [/TD][TD] Keith Earls [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Quade Cooper [/TD][TD] 10 [/TD][TD] Jonathan Sexton [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Will Genia [/TD][TD] 9 [/TD][TD] Eoin Reddan [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Radike Samo [/TD][TD] 8 [/TD][TD] Jamie Heaslip [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] David Pocock [/TD][TD] 7 [/TD][TD] Sean O'Brien [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Rocky Elsom [/TD][TD] 6 [/TD][TD] Stephen Ferris [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] James Horwill (c) [/TD][TD] 5 [/TD][TD] Paul O'Connell [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Dan Vickerman [/TD][TD] 4 [/TD][TD] Donncha O'Callaghan [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ben Alexander [/TD][TD] 3 [/TD][TD] Mike Ross [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Stephen Moore [/TD][TD] 2 [/TD][TD] Rory Best [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Sekope Kepu [/TD][TD] 1 [/TD][TD] Cian Healy [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][TD] [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Tatafu Polota-Nau [/TD][TD] 16 [/TD][TD] Sean Cronin [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] James Slipper [/TD][TD] 17 [/TD][TD] Tom Court [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Rob Simmons [/TD][TD] 18 [/TD][TD] Donnacha Ryan [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Ben McCalman [/TD][TD] 19 [/TD][TD] Denis Leamy [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Scott Higginbotham [/TD][TD] 20 [/TD][TD] Conor Murray [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Luke Burgess [/TD][TD] 21 [/TD][TD] Ronan O'Gara [/TD][/TR]
[TR][TD] Drew Mitchell [/TD][TD] 22 [/TD][TD] Andrew Trimble [/TD][/TR]
[/TABLE]