Spring Tour: New Zealand vs Ireland - 2nd Test. (16/6/2012, 07:35 GMT)

[Rhyer]

If we had Jane, Kahui, Kaino, Boric, and Mealamu we might have won by 12

Anyways... was really impressed by Cane once he came on - he carried really well and looked a far better player than McCaw Hope the injury to Read isn't too bad, but I wouldn't mind seeing Cane get a start last week.

Nonu and Read in the second half. An actual left wing instead of Savea who did absolutely NOTHING.

 

[Feicarsinn]

Not today ...Not today...


Sean.







Sean.

Locky was the real star of the show. Don't let that burning desire in your loins blind you.

 

[lucky number 7]

He didn't have to lead with the elbow. Scummy.

Yes..I believe the normal protocol for charging down a kick is having your hands in the air.

He knew what he was doing and got his card , it was deserved but nothing more nothing less.

 

[austingtir]

The Ref made some enormous defining calls in this game had a huge influence on how it was played. In the end though i think he evened it out both ways as we lost some dodgy calls the irish deff lost some aswell.

I dont think the Irish will get a better chance to beat us than this game. Unless hansen has a brain explosion and starts williams, weepu, savea, dagg, thompson, SBW and mccaw. SBW in particular has been very ineffective against these guys.... time to start nonu.

 

[Darwin]

Nonu and Read in the second half. An actual left wing instead of Savea who did absolutely NOTHING

Savea isn't an actually left wing? He was outstanding on debut last week - I think it is a bit early to write him off!

 

[Patchey]

Heart in mouth stuff and I'm not Irish or Kiwi. Ireland blew my expectations of them out of the water (considering the first test performance) and their scrum in particular seems to have come on leaps and bounds since the 6 Nations.

That being said New Zealand held their nerve right at the death which, considering the way Ireland were dominating the game I doubt many other teams would have managed.

Also, Nigel Owens is a pretty good ref isn't he?

 

[lucky number 7]

Locky was the real star of the show. Don't let that burning desire in your loins blind you.

You mean sergeant anonymous?

 

[Jockstap]

Didn't see the match, who stood out for Ireland, how did the locks go?

 

[UlsterRugby2012]

I thought Trimble was shite today. Healy and O'Brien were class.

But I love how we get like 5 minutes of analysis but England get like 30 minutes, typical.

 

[lucky number 7]

Nonu and Read in the second half. An actual left wing instead of Savea who did absolutely NOTHING.

SBW was in my opinion grand , he was the key man in the try after the 2nd half

 

[Feicarsinn]

You mean sergeant anonymous?

I'm pretty certain he was solely responsible for our competitiveness today. A colossus in every aspect. Just because he doesn't buy into any of this showpony lark doesn't mean he's not amazeballs.

 

[Rhyer]

Savea isn't an actually left wing? He was outstanding on debut last week - I think it is a bit early to write him off!

Was he really? I say right place right time, the work was done by Dagg really. He looked out of his depth and ineffective. Even Guildford looked more dangerous than him and that's saying a lot because Guildford is about as intimidating as a kitten.

 

[Peat]

Didn't see the match, who stood out for Ireland, how did the locks go?

Espn's early stats (they often change them a bit after the game) say they both made 14 tackles while missing none.

That sounds about right.

 

[Darwin]

I have to say I was very impressed by O'Brien again. I was under the impression that ball-running was his major strength, but I've been largely underwhelmed by his ball running ability (it has been solid, but not spectacular). However he looked like a genuine "7" to me, as he completely dominating the AB's at the breakdown (even more so than last week).

 

[Saintjay]

I thought Trimble was shite today. Healy and O'Brien were class.

But I love how we get like 5 minutes of analysis but England get like 30 minutes, typical.

It is to do with the time and they need to get in the build up to the Wales game. The game kicks off very soon, if they had more time I am sure they would go over it. Nothing to do with English rugby at all.

 

[TRF Mr Fish]

Fantastic game from the Irish - I don't actually think NZ played that bad at all, but Ireland were great. If they defended like that in all their games they'd have won a few more in the 6 Nations.

On the yellow card call, I thought it was probably fair, but Dagg had seen he'd kicked the ball already, what was he supposed to do? He'd either have to go face first and get himself owned, or turn his shoulder. In the end, I wouldn't necessarily argue the call either way.

I thought the Irish were a bit sneaky at the rucks around the end, when Williams lost his cool like an idiot. An Irish player at each ruck blatantly went through onto the NZ side and blocked players.

Sam Cane was awesome when he came on. Aaron Smith was solid. Read was absolutely superb in the first half, especially at kick offs. Both the locks for NZ did a lot of good grunt work around the field.

 

[Jockstap]

Espn's early stats (they often change them a bit after the game) say they both made 14 tackles while missing none.

That sounds about right.

Cheers how about lineout, hitting rucks, ball carrying etc? Who was Ireland's best player?

 

[Darwin]

Was he really? I say right place right time, the work was done by Dagg really. He looked out of his depth and ineffective. Even Guildford looked more dangerous than him and that's saying a lot because Guildford is about as intimidating as a kitten.

If you didn't think Savea had a great game last week you must have been watching a different game than me! It was not just his three tries - it was his brilliant defense (won a penalty after a massive hit on Kearney), and he even made an outstanding individual break from inside his own 22. He was very quiet this week - he didn't get any chances (though no-one in the NZ backline really did), and he made a few basic errors, but that doesn't take away the fact he had an outstanding game last weekend....

 

[lucky number 7]

I'm pretty certain he was solely responsible for our competitiveness today. A colossus in every aspect. Just because he doesn't buy into any of this showpony lark doesn't mean he's not amazeballs.

Showpony lark like dominating the breakdown...outplaying the greatest ever 7 ..boom.

 

[SelimNiai]

Showpony lark like dominating the breakdown...outplaying the greatest ever 7 ..boom.

who probabaly had his worst game for years