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

[Logorrhea]

To be honest lads. When you see so many people getting defensive about the selection of both Leamy and Ryan on the bench you know this conversation cant be objective. Its not an attack against Munster to criticise Munster players, in the same way as it is not an attack against Leicester to criticism Geordan Murphy.

The fact remains that Kidney has selected the team most of us would have wanted (Sexton and Earls can be debated but they were always going to happen).

The big weakness, and 99% or people seem to agree, is with the bench. It offers versatility where versatility is not required, and limits the cover outside the 10 slot. It also fails to offer any ability to change the game. I'm not questioning the committment of any of the players by aside from O'Gara, and maybe Trimble, the use of our bench significantly weakens our starting 15. That shouldnt be the case.

This is the exact same shite we had 4 years ago. A first 15 with limited, or unused cover for them. Genesis part two.

 

[Ostrayian]

It must be impossible to get a word in if all you irish blokes ever get together for a beer and rugby talk.

 

[Peat]

In fairness, its not Kidney's fault that Flannery broke himself. Or that Tom Court is comfortably your third best prop, but is inconsistent at best at international level. Or that Wallace broke, taking you down from four nigh-world class back rows to three.

There's only so much a coach can do to alter his player base.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Oh this is nice. We've come to a quiet agreement. Good team, **** bench. bish-bish, job done - lets leave that behind us now.

Looking at the two teams, on paper, there's no reason why can't win this. They're only notably stronger than us at scrum half, so hopefully we just play well and it'll be a close game.

 

[munstermuffin]

I think Kidney has selected the best bench available if you consider alternatives.
Cronin is ahead of Varley
Court is ahead of Buckley
Ryan must be in better form than Cullen and Cullen also had slight injury last week.
Leamy will contribute more than Jennings
Murray is same as Boss
ROG and Trimble deserve spots so I not to disappointed in this and hope 1-22 plays to their full when called upon and we can win this

 

[Logorrhea]

In fairness, its not Kidney's fault that Flannery broke himself. Or that Tom Court is comfortably your third best prop, but is inconsistent at best at international level. Or that Wallace broke, taking you down from four nigh-world class back rows to three. There's only so much a coach can do to alter his player base.

Not to get into a big arguement but it damn well is Kidneys fault that he is still overly reliant on a hooker that hasnt played a fully game in a year, is completely dependent on one number 7 and showed no apetite for trying a proper out and out 7 to offer either cover or an alternative. Hes had three years to build a squad, with all of it aimed at this game. During that time he would bring in new players but regardless of how they performed they would be jettisoned the instant his favourites are back. He persisted with the munster front row but patently ignored other players.

Kidney has taken three years to build this squad, and it was specifically with this game in mind. Take a look at that bench and tell me he has spent that time well.

 

[TNT88]

Looking at the two teams, on paper, there's no reason why can't win this. They're only notably stronger than us at scrum half, so hopefully we just play well and it'll be a close game.

Radike Samo > Ireland's whole squad.

 

[nickdnz]

Radike Samo is older than Ireland's whole squad.

Fixed.

 

[monkeypigeon]

Radike Samo > Ireland's whole squad.

I'm willing to agree with this but where the hell did he come from? I remember him being better than average for some french team a few years ago and he was getting old back then.

He must be ancient....so again....did he just find some amazing form out of the blue or is he using performance enhancing magic? Is he a wizard?

 

[ZeFrenchy]

I can see Pocock having a field day. And I don't think Genia's dad will be able to dominate the Irish backrow as he did against the US.

I was looking forward to Rocky vs. SOB, but it seems that ain't gonna happen.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm willing to agree with this but where the hell did he come from? I remember him being better than average for some french team a few years ago and he was getting old back then.

He must be ancient....so again....did he just find some amazing form out of the blue or is he using performance enhancing magic? Is he a wizard?

Wizards live in his hair and smite down all who stand against him.










I agree on Pocock as well - he's going to have a grand old time at the breakdown considering Ireland have no openside competing with him for the ball

 

[Ostrayian]

I remember a couple seasons ago the springboks put out a back row of Spies, Kankowski and Burger to start against the wallabies and Bam Bam owned them at the breakdown. Boks never tried that combination again.

 

[Logorrhea]

Well I bet they didnt have players of the calibre of Donnacha Ryan and Denis Leamy to come on and really hammer the disadvantage home with 4 minutes to go.

I'm starting to feel more optimistic. We may well keep the Aussies within a 15-20 point winning margin.

 

[profitius]

BOD, D'Arcy, SOB, Ferris, POC, Healy and Heaslip are all decent at turning over ball at the breakdown. No fear of Pocock dominating that area like some are suggesting.

 

[munstermuffin]

Well since some Irish here do nothing only ***** and moan and seem to be supporting the Aussies I'll be brave and say we squeeze home with a late winner.

 

[Melhor Time]

Ireland by 2.

 

[big ginger 8]

Ireland by as much as our national debt.

Nah think we will squeeze home. Sounds nasty but we might have to go out and legally injure Pocock our just move the ball to where he is not.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ireland by as much as our national depth.

Nah think we will squeeze home. Sounds nasty but we might have to go out and legally injure Pocock our just move the ball to where he is not.

Debt.

 

[big ginger 8]

Well the depth of the country is also big enough to satisfy me and I kind said debt.

 

[Peat]

Not to get into a big arguement but it damn well is Kidneys fault that he is still overly reliant on a hooker that hasnt played a fully game in a year, is completely dependent on one number 7 and showed no apetite for trying a proper out and out 7 to offer either cover or an alternative. Hes had three years to build a squad, with all of it aimed at this game. During that time he would bring in new players but regardless of how they performed they would be jettisoned the instant his favourites are back. He persisted with the munster front row but patently ignored other players.

Kidney has taken three years to build this squad, and it was specifically with this game in mind. Take a look at that bench and tell me he has spent that time well.

Don't entirely disagree with you, and would certainly say Kidney's made some mistakes in squad development over the past few years, but in some places there just isn't really that much to pick. You can't polish a turd.