Spring Tour: New Zealand vs Ireland - 3rd Test. (23/6/2012, 07:35 GMT)

[big ginger 8]

Third times the charm.

You're a back right. Many things go on at once in a maul I will now get laughed at for this.

 

[Darwin]

I have agree with Feic. I think it is hard to judge the intention of the action, but it was reckless at the very least, so probably warranted further examination by the citing commissioner.

Anyways, onto the game tonight. The weather forecast isn't looking too promising (8 degrees with possible showers) - hopefully the showers don't turn up so we get to see an expansive game of rugby. Random question: what is Paddy Wallace like on defense? He is a obviously not very big, so he may have his hands full trying to stop SBW or Hosea Gear in full flight (or even Sam Cane, who could be used running in the midfield from a lineout...).

 

[big ginger 8]

He's not great on defense as you say he's very small especially for a modern say 12. He's only 5'11" and 80kg he's used to get bumped a few times a game he has improved his technique but when he's so much lighter and is in a channel that receives so much traffic there will almost definitely be at least one linebreak from a missed tackle by him. We weill probably need to sacrifice a backrow or else BO'D will end up getting drawn in.

 

[Darwin]

He's not great on defense as you say he's very small especially for a modern say 12. He's only 5'11" and 80kg he's used to get bumped a few times a game he has improved his technique but when he's so much lighter and is in a channel that receives so much traffic there will almost definitely be at least one linebreak from a missed tackle by him. We weill probably need to sacrifice a backrow or else BO'D will end up getting drawn in.

Thanks. In general Ireland have done a great job of containing SBW this series, so it will be interesting to see what plan they use tonight. I would love to see Aaron Smith throw a skip pass straight out to SBW from a scrum, as this may allow SBW to get a 1-on-1 with Wallace....

 

[big ginger 8]

I hope not. It is really incredible that while every other country has at least one big center we have stayed with the relatively small ones. While there are some big ones coming through Chris Farrall, Eamonn Sheridan though he;s actually been offloaded to Rotherdam and in the school system Harrison Brewer son of Mike who used to play 8. However the type very much is to be around the 90kg mark.

 

[Draggs]

I hope not. It is really incredible that while every other country has at least one big center we have stayed with the relatively small ones. While there are some big ones coming through Chris Farrall, Eamonn Sheridan though he;s actually been offloaded to Rotherdam and in the school system Harrison Brewer son of Mike who used to play 8. However the type very much is to be around the 90kg mark.

Yeah, Farrell seems a big chap.
Inside or outside centre?

We seem undecided of where to use Allen. Probably we will see him at inside while Roberts is with the national squad.

 

[big ginger 8]

For Ulster I've only seen him at 13 though Peat could say more on it. He's been playing 12 more for Ireland. I prefer him at 13 think he picks better lines and makes better use if his size there.

You think Allen will play regional rugby next year?

 

[Keithmurdoch]

Not sure if this horse is dead or not, actually I could have sworn it just twitched, so here's another flog

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/video.cfm?c_id=4&gal_objectid=10814812&gallery_id=126332

for anyone who's only seen the stills. The third one looks the hardest to explain away IMO.

 

[big ginger 8]

Not basing my opinion on this matter but can someone clarify for me if the N.Z. Herald is a tabloid? Every article I've read from it (obviously always rugby related) has seemed pretty sensationalist.

 

[Draggs]

For Ulster I've only seen him at 13 though Peat could say more on it. He's been playing 12 more for Ireland. I prefer him at 13 think he picks better lines and makes better use if his size there.

You think Allen will play regional rugby next year?

I hope so. The other options are Gavin Evans and Dafydd Hewitt so...
The other Cardiff centre worth watching is Owen Williams, who is big, fast, but doesn't like to tackle and has injury issues.
The number is really irrelevant, we brought Roberts in as a crash ball player, even when he was outside centre. I would really like to see Dixon play outside centre, as Smith/Robling are decent inside centres. Granted, he would create plenty of room for Hughes if he was brought inside.

I know very little about the Ulster team, so I can't really say who Farrell would complement, and at what position.

Oh my, I hijacked an Irish thread.

 

[big ginger 8]

Actually I think Welshmen have done that fairly often. We just don't moan as much.

 

[Draggs]

Actually I think Welshmen have done that fairly often. We just don't moan as much.

You are too kind.

 

[Keithmurdoch]

G8: "Not basing my opinion on this matter but can someone clarify for me if the N.Z. Herald is a tabloid? Every article I've read from it (obviously always rugby related) has seemed pretty sensationalist."

​

The herald is a tabloid in broadsheet format, a hangover from the time (long, long ago) that it had pretentions about being a proper newspaper. It is trite, sensationalist and often inaccurate, and unfortunatly (especially in the context of its being new zealand's largest paper) it is lumbered with a sports editor who inexplicably hates rugby, taking every opportunity to deride it as a spectacle and filling as much space as he can get away with with league.
Its a filthy rag, in other words, the sole redeeming quality of which is its flamability.

 

[nickdnz]

G8: "Not basing my opinion on this matter but can someone clarify for me if the N.Z. Herald is a tabloid? Every article I've read from it (obviously always rugby related) has seemed pretty sensationalist."

​

The herald is a tabloid in broadsheet format, a hangover from the time (long, long ago) that it had pretentions about being a proper newspaper. It is trite, sensationalist and often inaccurate, and unfortunatly (especially in the context of its being new zealand's largest paper) it is lumbered with a sports editor who inexplicably hates rugby, taking every opportunity to deride it as a spectacle and filling as much space as he can get away with with league.
Its a filthy rag, in other words, the sole redeeming quality of which is its flamability.

Fantastic explanation! Deserve a +1.

Yep. Nothing more frustrating on this forum than people quoting the N.Z Herald and presenting it as the views of New Zealanders and their media.

 

[big ginger 8]

Thanks some of the opinions from it have really amazed me and barely ever have had the same thing to say as the posters on this forum.

 

[Peat]

Re Paddy Wallace:

Look, we call the guy Mincer. Work out what his tackling's like...

... For a guy his size, Wallace is about the hardest, most secure defender you'll ever see. Someone needs to find the video of him dumping Tom Croft into touch. However, while I'm fairly surely his stats are a little outdated, he is still a tiny man. I've never worried about him defensively for Ulster, but this is quite a step up. Wouldn't surprise me if something went ***s up - or if nothing did, he will throw everything at this, this is now a chance of a lifetime for him and he won't want to leave anything behind save for most of the blood in his head.

Re Chris Farrell:

He came through the schools system playing 12 but has played a lot of 13 this year. But still some 12, he started at 12 vs Leinster. Very hard to work out where he'll end up playing - do not rule out him ending up as a winger - and largely I think it'll be dictated by which of Luke Marshall and Darren Cave are playing better at the time. Or are fit, given the injury records of both men.

 

[Darwin]

G8: "Not basing my opinion on this matter but can someone clarify for me if the N.Z. Herald is a tabloid? Every article I've read from it (obviously always rugby related) has seemed pretty sensationalist."

​

The herald is a tabloid in broadsheet format, a hangover from the time (long, long ago) that it had pretentions about being a proper newspaper. It is trite, sensationalist and often inaccurate, and unfortunatly (especially in the context of its being new zealand's largest paper) it is lumbered with a sports editor who inexplicably hates rugby, taking every opportunity to deride it as a spectacle and filling as much space as he can get away with with league.
Its a filthy rag, in other words, the sole redeeming quality of which is its flamability.

I agree with Nick, that is a brilliant explanation! Not only does the sports editor hate rugby, but he doesn't know the first thing about it, yet that doesn't stop him expressing his (ignorant) opinion as fact. The worse thing is that there are probably thousands upon thousands of sheep in this country who will believe every word he says.... (and no, I'm not referring to the woolly ones we have running around in our paddocks..)

 

[big ginger 8]

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[smartcooky]

At the end of the day McCaw should have told the ref. I am not sure if he is that kind of guy. It seems some of the comments defending the Irish player were comments used by Saints fans in defending Harley and that was ment with scorn by some Ireland fans. No intent, what were his fingers doing, he could have been fish hooking etc, etc.

Richie is old school... he said nothing after the match when Gougerie head-butted and eye poked him in the RWC final, he said nothing about this after the match either (and it looks very suspicious, you are NOT allowed to make contact with the eyes like that, intent or not). I expect to hear nothing if the same thing happens again tonight.

 

[big ginger 8]

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